BISHOP GADSDEN EPISCOPAL RETIREMENT

Charitable giving and generous spirit programs: throughout bishop gadsden's history, a commitment to giving has been on the forefront resulting in more $14.5 million in charitable care and gifts being raised for charitable care within the community and distributed to other non-profit organizations in our local community.the charitable mission committee's nonprofit selection chair and fellow residents select a small group (5 to 7) of nonprofits from a list of around 30 nonprofit grant applications to support each year. Led by residents, with assistance from team members of the charitable giving office, the charitable mission committee sets a fundraising goal. In 2024, this important committee disbursed $342,000 in cash. These funds were allocated as follows: barrier islands free medical clinic - $100,000; dee norton child advocacy center - $75,000; james island outreach - $95,000; lowcountry veterans home - $60,000; respite care charleston - $3,000; coastal crisis chaplaincy - $9,000. Additionally, $13,500 in in-kind items, plus 5000 toys for habitat for humanity and toys for tots were donated. In addition to charitable causes that support outside organizations, residents and staff contribute to the strongheart employee education scholarship, with $130,219 being distributed to employees for education purposes and education debt elimination, as well as the employee assistance fund, which gave loans and grants in the net amount of $58,069. In addition, the employee assistance fund provided 81 cards and 8100 in back-to-school funds for eligible employees.residents and staff contribute more than 4,600 volunteer hours to local and national charitable organizations, an investment of $144,007. Additionally, bishop gadsden's culinary department donated 22,192 pounds of food, equaling a gift of $33,288, and 18,494 meals. Executive staff also sit on community boards such as roper st. Francis, vantage point foundation, lowcountry association of fundraising professionals, sc/nc planned giving conference, sea island habitat for humanity, leadingage sc and we are sharing hope.