SC Nurse Retention Initiative Awarded $100,000 Grant
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC — March 18, 2025 — The SC Nurse Retention Initiative (SCNRI), an organization dedicated to attracting and retaining top nursing talent in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties, has been awarded a $100,000 two-year grant from Power:Ed, the philanthropic arm of the SC Student Loan Corporation.
The SCNRI fund, administered by Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, awards recent Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) graduates up to $9,000 (BSN) and $6,000 (ADN) over two years based on merit, dedication to the nursing profession, financial need, educational mobility and long-term commitment to practice nursing in the Lowcountry.
This award marks the third round of funding from Power:Ed to SCNRI and will support 13 nursing awards. Because the recipients can use the funds for any purpose, including furthering their education or contributing to housing costs, this program supports both the community priorities of workforce development and affordable housing solutions.
"With this grant from Power:Ed, SCNRI will continue to build the local nurse workforce required to improve the availability and quality of health care for individuals throughout Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton Counties,” said Bob Elliott from SCNRI. “The financial support we provide will allow our nurses to practice, prosper and grow their careers within our local communities. I commend Power:Ed and the SC Student Loan Corporation for their commitment to workforce development and to retaining nurses in the Lowcountry.”
In FY2024-25 Power:Ed is awarding $1,000,000 in grants to South Carolina education and career readiness organizations. In this third quarter, Power:Ed funded five grants (including SCNRI) totaling $270,000. Grants are administered quarterly, and the next grant funding deadline is April 1.
“Nurses fulfill critical needs and are vital to a community’s well-being,” said Power:Ed Director Claire Gibbons. “We want to ensure local talent has the resources necessary to pursue advancing their education and building their careers in the fast-growing Lowcountry. Power:Ed is proud to continue our support of this important workforce retention program, which has such a positive community impact.”
About Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
For over 30 years, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry (CFL) has been connecting people, organizations and resources. CFL has helped build stronger Lowcountry communities by assisting individuals, families, businesses and organizations achieve their philanthropic goals. With over 540 charitable funds, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper Counties. For more information, visit cf-lowcountry.org or call 843-681-9100.
About Power:Ed
Founded in 2019, Power:Ed, the philanthropy of SC Student Loan is dedicated to creating opportunities for South Carolina’s youth and adults by supporting low-income, underserved, and first-generation students; improving access to college and degree completion; and creating pathways to quality workforce opportunities. Nonprofit organizations serving middle school through post-college talent who are interested in applying for a grant or partnering with Power:Ed, should visit power-ed.org.