ATI Foundation Awards $540,000 to 12 Organizations Strengthening Education and Workforce Pathways
The ATI Foundation is putting resources behind organizations that are creating stronger pathways from education to meaningful careers.
Following our latest grant cycle, the Foundation has approved 12 initial awards totaling $540,000 to organizations working across South Carolina. These investments reflect a wide range of approaches—from early career exploration and digital skills to workforce reentry, housing stability, and direct connections to employment.
What connects them is a shared focus on action: removing barriers, building practical skills, creating career exposure, and helping people move toward sustainable employment.
The awards also reinforce the Foundation’s role as a connector and funder. Rather than duplicating work already happening in our communities, we invest in organizations with the experience, relationships, and ideas to move effective solutions forward.
The 12 Initial Grant Recipients
Be the Change Charleston — $35,000
Be the Change Charleston will support individuals with disabilities in pursuing employment goals through assessments, coaching, job-search assistance, interview preparation, on-site support, and follow-up services. The program will focus on employment, internships, advancement opportunities, and stronger connections with employers.
The Center for Digital Equity at Queens University of Charlotte — $65,000
This grant will support a South Carolina pilot expanding digital literacy and workforce training. The initiative is expected to prepare six trainers, serve at least 45 program completers, provide technology resources, and establish a foundation for continued community-based training cohorts.
Communities In Schools of South Carolina — $40,000
This investment will expand integrated, school-based support for students in the Lowcountry. School coordinators will provide case management, life-skills programming, referrals, and other targeted support aimed at improving attendance, behavior, academic progress, promotion, and graduation.
Compass Collegiate Academy — $30,000
Compass Collegiate Academy will expand career awareness, entrepreneurship, leadership, and workforce-readiness programming for K–6 students through field experiences, guest speakers, applied learning, and an entrepreneurial incubator.
Cristo Rey Charleston High School — $75,000
Cristo Rey Charleston will launch its Corporate Work Study Program, combining education with meaningful workplace experience. Funding will support curriculum development, technology, logistics, employer onboarding, student coaching, and evaluation systems, with more than 100 students expected to receive training and workplace placements.
Doors to Dream — $30,000
Doors to Dream will help students build clear plans for life after high school through coaching, mentoring, leadership development, career exploration, workplace visits, and connections with professionals.
Dreams Imagination & Gift Development Program (DIG) — $65,000
DIG will expand STEMM career awareness for K–12 students in rural South Carolina through afterschool programming, camps, mentoring, career visits, family events, and a community festival designed to increase exposure to future education and career opportunities.
Entryway South Carolina — $45,000
Entryway will help individuals experiencing situational homelessness move toward employment and housing stability through careers in the multifamily industry. Participants will receive training, mentoring, case management, employment navigation, and ongoing support.
Impact Justice — $25,000
Funding will support workforce preparation for incarcerated women through indoor-farming instruction, hands-on experience, certification, career-readiness training, case management, and post-release support. The program will track both training participation and employment outcomes.
Liberty STEAM Charter School — $50,000
Liberty STEAM will scale a middle-school career pipeline for sixth-grade students in Sumter. Students will participate in career assessments, portfolio development, workplace experiences, mentoring, and family engagement designed to help them begin identifying and planning for future career pathways.
SHIELD Ministries — $50,000
The grant will help preserve transitional housing and workforce services for men returning to the community after incarceration. Funding will support housing continuity, employment services, program operations, and the transition toward permanent replacement housing.
Soul Harvesters Outreach Ministry — $30,000
Funding will support alternative-school students through conflict resolution, career readiness, case management, financial literacy, construction exposure, and college tours. The program is designed to strengthen student engagement, communication, and awareness of future pathways.
Investing in What Works
These grants represent more than funding. They reflect the ATI Foundation’s commitment to identifying strong organizations, helping effective programs grow, and connecting education and workforce efforts to real opportunities.
That approach is central to our mission: remove barriers, build connections, and unlock potential.
The Foundation has already invested significantly in education and workforce development initiatives, supporting organizations that prepare students, job seekers, and communities for stronger futures. These new awards build on that momentum and expand the network of partners working alongside us.
As these 12 organizations put their grants to work, we look forward to sharing the progress, partnerships, and results that follow.
$540,000. Twelve organizations. One shared goal: stronger pathways to meaningful careers and stronger communities.