Public Policy & Nonprofit Issues

Nov 4, 2025        

With the pause in SNAP funding for hundreds of thousands in South Carolina, many of our nonprofit members are facing increased demands for service and support by their communities and those they serve. It represents another intersection of public policy and nonprofit missions that our sector navigates every day.

It's public policy issues like these that led to the creation of our Nonprofit Issues Forum, being held for the third year on November 18 in Columbia.

It’s a chance to hear from your peers, nonprofit leaders working at these intersections of policy and mission, on how the trends they’re seeing, what to prepare for in the 2026 legislative session in Columbia, and more.

Registration is open now.
(Pro-Tip: If you become a member of the Advocacy Allies Peer Network, for free, before registering, you can access a $5 discount!)

Our Issues Forum isn’t the only highlight of the month – today is election day in many cities across the state!

P.S. Municipal level elections are today, November 4. Polls are open 7am – 7pm. You can find your ballot and polling location at this link. Every election, and every vote, counts!

Highlights of the Latest Policy Update

• Local Elections Ahead: 🕐 Municipal elections are today November 4, (M–F, 8:30–5:00). Visit scvotes.gov to preview your ballot, every election, and every vote, counts.

• SNAP Benefits Halted: 💵 The federal shutdown enters Day 35, Gov. McMaster has activated the One SC Fund to help food banks meet rising demand. Temporary Restraining Order blocks SNAP halt.

• Nonprofit Workforce Impact: 💼 The U.S. Department of Education’s new Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) rule could exclude some nonprofits from eligibility based on their mission, potentially disqualifying employees from loan forgiveness despite years of service.

Volunteer SC: Your Statewide Volunteer Hub

VolunteerSC.org is a free, easy-to-use platform for nonprofits to connect with volunteers and manage opportunities. Powered by POINT, this system helps organizations streamline engagement and expand their impact.

Brought to you in partnership with Together SC, United Way Association of SC, and AmeriCorps SC, join 111 nonprofits and 9,000 volunteers on VolunteerSC.org!

🚨 Featured Food & Meal volunteer opportunities below

Board Strong Helping You Build A Stronger Board

There are 125+ volunteers and 8 available board positions on Board Strong. Members of Together SC Login now and start recruiting skilled board members today!

👇 Sign up for these board opportunities below

• Freedom Readers, Surfside Beach

• Dance Collaborative, Greenville

• Greer Farmers Market, Greer

Share your webinars, awards & member discounts here!

Funding & Other Opportunities

• 👩‍🎓 Blueprint for Leadership, a professional development course targeting future community leaders. Apply by Dec 5, United Way of the Midlands

• 🥇 Nominate a leader for Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Together SC & FMU by Nov 30

• 👑 Nominate a local hero who truly deserves a Crown Carolina Panthers

• ❤️ Upcoming Grants include SC Department of Commerce, Community-Engaged Scholars Program, Greenville Women Giving, SC One Fund, and more. (member login required)

Member Offerings

• Mission Support Check out 180+ Consultants ready to drive your mission forward.

  • Submit an RFP to the Consultant Collaborative.

• Download the 2025 Compensation and Benefits Study

• Together SC offers Group Health Care Plans with 16 BlueCross BlueShield plans to choose from, take 2 mins to fill out the interest form and get your nonprofit rates.

Learning With Consultants & Partners

• Nov 10 Funder Program: Innovative Community Impact Capital Greater Good Greenville

• Nov 12 Financial Management in Volunteer Administration CCVA

• Nov 18 The Price of Nice CCVA

• Nov 18 Navigating Federal Funding Cuts - A Peer Discussion for Housing Organizations Candid

• Nov 19 How Communities & Schools Can Enhance Family Engagement Wholespire

• Dec 3 Reimagining Volunteer Redirection for Sustainable Community Impact CCVA

• Jan 14 How to Cultivate a Generation of Civic Engagers with B Goode, CCVA

Partner Resources

• ❤️ How to Craft a Winning Year-End Appeal in Challenging Times Chronicle of Philanthropy

• 🖥️ FREE Google Coursera Professional Certificates—learn on-demand skills like IT, data analytics, UX design, and AI at your own pace. Enroll by Dec 31, through Palmetto Goodwill

• 🚨 Earn a 2025 Gold Seal of Transparency and gain access to one free year of Foundation Directory Professional Candid

Member News

• Governor McMaster Activates One SC Fund, Directs State Guard to Support Food Banks Amid SNAP Benefits Halt

• Duke Energy Foundation gives $100K to One SC Fund

• Greer Relief prepares for SNAP benefits to halt and a significant increase in demand

• Water Mission, based in Charleston, sends portable water systems to aid Jamaica post-Hurricane Melissa

• Google $9B investment in South Carolina through 2027

Thank you to our nonprofit, corporate, philanthropic, government & academic partners, and consultants for being a part of this network.

For Good Connections is a free newsletter for nonprofit and philanthropic partners of SC and contains some links exclusively for Together SC members. Consider joining Together SC to gain access to all the member benefits.

Get featured share your news|  member login

Stay in the know. Subscribe to the Monthly Advocacy Newsletter

How helpful was this update?

THANK YOU TO OUR 8,000 SUBSCRIBERS!

View this email in your browser