Overview

Mission Statement: Community Development and Revitalization Department programs enhance citizens' quality of life while promoting economic growth through the development and revitalization of housing and communities.

Charleston County to Host Powered by Purpose Conference for Local Nonprofit Organizations

Charleston County Community Development and Revitalization, in partnership with South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development (SCACED) and Increasing H.O.P.E., will host the Powered by Purpose Conference on:

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

and

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

The free-to-attend conference is designed to strengthen and support Charleston County's nonprofit sector by offering resources, connections, and capacity-building strategies tailored to local needs.

Topics covered throughout the conference will center on strengthening organizational capacity, deepening community engagement, and navigating the funding and policy landscape.

Contact

Community Development & Revitalization

Office Address

3660 Montague Ave., N. Charleston, SC 29418

Mailing Address

PO Box 71419, N. Charleston, SC 29405

Phone: (843) 202-6960

Fax: (843) 760-4181

Community Development: CommunityDev@CharlestonCounty.org

Wells, Septic Tank, and Connections: WellSepticTank@CharlestonCounty.org

Housing: Housing@CharlestonCounty.org

Office Hours: M – F | 8:30AM – 5PM

Social Media:

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Additional event highlights will include:

  • Keynote speakers
    • Coastal Conservation League's Executive Director Faith Rivers James
    • TheCaseMade's Founder and CEO Tiffany Manuel
  • Panel discussions led by nonprofit leaders
    • Topics will include: Purpose-driven leadership, nonprofit sustainability, fundraising, collaborative problem solving, building public trust, and transparency.
  • Breakout sessions organized into three tracks
    • Build: Foundational skills for emerging nonprofits (e.g., budgeting, governance, compliance)
    • Grow: Tools for scaling impact (e.g., communications strategy, data and evaluation, digital tools)
    • Lead: Sessions for executive leadership (e.g., succession planning, equity-centered leadership, advocacy)
  • Vendor exhibits
  • Networking opportunities
  • One-on-one technical assistance following the event

"Nonprofit organizations are vital to Charleston County, supporting everything from affordable housing and food access to severe weather shelters and services for youth and veterans," said LoElla Smalls, director of Charleston County's Department of Community Development and Revitalization. "The Powered by Purpose Conference is designed to empower these organizations and provide resources that will help them deliver these essential services with even greater impact and efficiency."

Qualified organizations will receive:

  • Up to two in-person attendance passes
  • Post-conference technical assistance tailored to organizational needs
  • Two individual 1-year all-access subscriptions to the Nonprofit Learning Lab (includes hundreds of self-paced education modules)
  • Free event parking
  • Free meals during the event

To qualify to attend, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations must serve Charleston County's communities. Learn more and apply to attend.