Women Non-Profit Organizations in South Carolina

Based in Columbia, South Carolina, PASOs represents nearly two decades of dedicated service to Latino communities across the state. Founded in 2005 in response to research documenting significant health disparities and limited resource access among Latino families, PASOs emerged from a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Palmetto Health, and the South Carolina March of Dimes. What began as a focused perinatal health initiative has evolved into a comprehensive community health organization serving the entire Latino population. PASOs embodies a mission to help the Latino community and service providers work together toward strong, healthy families. The organization's vision centers on building healthier Latino communities that contribute to a stronger Carolinas through collaborative education, advocacy, and leadership development. Since 2008, PASOs has partnered with the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health to expand programming and technical capacity across multiple counties. The organization's work reflects deep community roots, evidenced by its leadership in forming the SC United with Immigrants coalition and hosting annual Voces Comunitarias (Community Voices) events that amplify Latino voices and experiences. PASOs recognizes the inherent strengths within Latino families while addressing systemic barriers to health and wellness. By combining culturally responsive education with direct participant support and strategic partnerships with healthcare and social service providers, PASOs continues to strengthen South Carolina's capacity to serve its growing and vital Latino communities.

Founded in Greenville, South Carolina in 1999, the Hispanic-American Association of Women (AHAM) represents a powerful community-driven movement dedicated to empowering Hispanic youth through education. This volunteer-powered organization emerged from the passion and commitment of hardworking women who recognized the transformative potential of higher education within the Hispanic community. What sets AHAM apart is its unique focus on combining educational scholarships with cultural promotion and social development, creating a holistic support system for students in the South Carolina Upstate. For nearly two and a half decades, AHAM has maintained an unwavering mission: to increase the rate of Hispanic youth entering higher education through training, cultural celebration, and direct financial support. The organization's impact extends far beyond scholarship awards—AHAM builds community connections through signature events like the Hispanic Heritage Festival and Annual Gala, fostering cultural pride while raising awareness about educational opportunities. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, AHAM operates entirely through the dedication of volunteers who believe in the power of education to transform lives and strengthen communities. The organization's track record speaks to its effectiveness, having invested over $640,000 in scholarships while maintaining consistent service to Greenville and the surrounding region. AHAM welcomes community members, volunteers, and supporters who share their vision of a more educated and empowered Hispanic population in South Carolina.

Rooted in centuries of history, the PAIA Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation represents a living connection to the Piedmont region's indigenous heritage, with tribal grounds located in Gray Court, SC. As a South Carolina state-recognized tribe since 2015, the organization traces its ancestry to the Lower Towns of the Cherokee Nation, whose people inhabited this region from the Seneca River in South Carolina through Tennessee and Georgia. The Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation maintains deep ties to the land where their ancestors established major settlements, including the historic town of Nayuhi near Brasstown Creek and the Tugaloo River. Today, the tribal community gathers at their Gray Court location to strengthen bonds, celebrate shared identity, and welcome visitors interested in learning about authentic Cherokee culture and history. Beyond their museum and longhouse, the PAIA Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation nurtures relationships within the Gray Court community through youth programs, language classes, and women-centered cultural initiatives that empower tribal members of all ages. The organization's commitment to heritage preservation extends to their craft store, where tribal citizens create and sell handcrafted goods that reflect generations of artistic tradition. By hosting public powwows and community events, the PAIA Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation creates inclusive spaces where people throughout the region can connect with Cherokee culture, history, and values. This state-recognized nation embodies a commitment to honoring ancestral legacy while building a vibrant, engaged community in Gray Court, SC.