Power:Ed awards total of $160,000 in grants

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Power:Ed, a philanthropic arm of the S.C. Student Loan Corp., has awarded $160,000 in grants to the S.C. Chamber of Commerce Education & Workforce Foundation and professional development nonprofit Multiplying Good.

The chamber foundation plans to use its $75,000 grant to expand its STEM programming at historically black colleges and universities in the state, while Multiplying Good will use its $85,000 grant to expand Students in Action, a three-year service learning opportunity for students in grades 9-12, to rural, underserved areas.

“We’re thrilled to be joining forces with these two distinguished community partners,” Power:Ed director Sara Fisher said in a news release. “They’re working hard to keep futures bright for South Carolina’s high school and college students.”

The education and workforce foundation introduces students to professional opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math across the state. It also subsidizes travel expenses and education literature that advance students’ STEM-related career objectives, according to a release from the state chamber.

“We are so thankful to receive this Power:Ed grant to support and expand our HBCU STEM program,” S.C. Chamber of Commerce CEO Ted Pitts said. “This grant will have a real impact for students at our HBCU institutions as they prepare to move into the workforce. It will also benefit businesses as we work to retain the state’s diverse talent to fill high-need career fields.”

Multiplying Good’s Students in Action program aims to develop workforce readiness through skill building and leadership activities.

“SIA empowers young people,” Heather Love, Multiplying Good executive director, said. “Programs like this ensure that young adults will be prepared for workforce success and that they will make a difference in their local communities.”

Power:Ed awards grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 to local nonprofits, colleges and groups helping prepare S.C. students to succeed. Applications are being accepted for the organization’s next awards cycle.

While Power:Ed accepts applications that address any educational challenge, according to its website, its focus areas include: supporting low-income, minority and first-generation students; improving access to college and degree completion; and creating pathways to quality workforce opportunities.