January Newsletter from the

Sisters of Charity Foundation of SC

The new year invites us to pause and reflect like no other time of year really can. As our fast-paced world encourages us to keep up with an unrelenting pace, we invite you to take stock of the many stepping stones that have led you to the here and now. As we look forward, let us not forget to look back at the countless lessons learned that inform our journey ahead. From everyone here at the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, we're sending you our most heartfelt wishes for an unshakable peace as we enter a brand new year.

Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

May these words from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. give us strength this year as we celebrate his life and legacy on Monday, January 19th. We encourage you to take part in celebrations happening around the state, with a few of many opportunities to get involved listed below:

• NAACP SC State Conference's 2026 King Day with Keynote Speaker Sen. Cory Booker

• Upstate South Carolina MLK Jr. Celebrations List

• Carolina African American Heritage Foundation's Grand Strand Freedom Walk

• City of Columbia's 38th Annual MLK Jr. Commemoration Service

• Charleston MLK Parade

• More Lowcountry Events and Parades

2026 Grants Overview Webinar on 1/15

Don’t forget! Join us this Thursday, January 15th at 2PM for our Grants Overview Webinar. We will cover the Foundation's new grants, goals and eligibility, funding amounts, timelines, and how to apply.

As a reminder, our Systems Change Grants support nonprofits addressing economic mobility or housing security, while our Community Engagement Grants support nonprofits through event sponsorships, outreach, and other emerging needs in our three focus areas: economic mobility, housing security, and health care.

2026 SCFSC Grants Timelines

In case you missed it, we've announced key timelines for this year's grant opportunities! Mark your calendar for these deadlines for Systems Change Grants (SCG) and Community Engagement Grants (CEG). Letter of Intent and application forms open on Tuesday, January 20th.

• Monday, March 16th: CEG application due (round 1)
• Tuesday, March 24th: SCG Letter of Intent due (round 1)
• Monday, June 1st: CEG application due (round 2)
• Tuesday, August 4th: SCG Letter of Intent due (round 2)
• Monday, October 5th: CEG application due (round 3)

A Year of Celebrations: Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina and the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine

2026 will be an especially momentous year for us here at the Foundation with a few special celebrations happening! This year, we'll be celebrating 30 years of service here at the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina. In addition, the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, who endowed our Foundation in 1996, are celebrating 175 years of loving service this year. We're grateful for this legacy behind us and feel hopeful for the journey ahead.

Celebrating the Life of

Sister Miriam Erb, CSA

With heavy hearts, we share the news that Sister Miriam Erb, CSA, has recently gone home to be with the Lord.

Sister Miriam served faithfully on the Providence Hospital Board and the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina Board for many years, and she continued her ministry in Cleveland until very recently. While her demeanor was quiet, her deep commitment to service and justice spoke volumes. She lived her vocation with humility, grace, and steadfast love for others.

Sister Miriam had many friends here in South Carolina who loved her dearly, and she will be deeply missed.



We know her family and our Sisters of Charity community would be grateful for your prayers as they prepare to celebrate her remarkable life of loving service.



"Eternal rest grant unto Sr. Miriam, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."

We’re hiring an Office Administrator to help keep the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina running smoothly and mission-focused!

This role supports daily operations, finance coordination, HR and compliance, and board administration—making it ideal for a highly organized professional who enjoys supporting a team and advancing meaningful work to reduce poverty across South Carolina.

View the full position details and apply below. For questions, contact Donna Waites, President, at dwaites@sistersofcharitysc.com.

The Riley Institute Announces

2026 OneSC Awards

The Riley Institute at Furman University has announced the recipients of the 2026 OneSouthCarolina (OneSC) Awards, which honor transformative leadership and collaborative achievements advancing social and economic progress in South Carolina. Help us in congratulating these bright leaders on this achievement!

SCETV and Public Radio Providing Comprehensive Coverage of

2026 Legislative Session

South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) will offer extensive, accessible, and transparent coverage of the 2026 legislative session which began on January 13th. Through a combination of live broadcasts, in-depth reporting, and livestreaming, SCETV continues its longstanding commitment to ensuring citizens remain informed and engaged with the decisions that shape the state’s future.

Bruh Mentor Celebrates Mentoring Month

January is Mentoring Month and Bruh Mentor is celebrating in big ways. Based in the Upstate, get to know the Brothers Restoring Urban Hope below and learn more about how their mentors are engaging with Mentoring Month.

1/23 USC Lancaster Lunch & Learn:

Indigenous Carolinians

2/1 Mardi Gras Brunch Benefiting Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services

2/2 Book Talk + Signing with Vincent Sheheen: The Concise Guide to South Carolina State Government

3/9 - 3/11 | Together SC 2026 Summit

Follow us on social!