The Greenville Journal |December 18, 2020

CommunityWorks announced Dec. 16 it was chosen among 384 out of 6,490 organizations nationwide to receive an undisclosed portion of $4.2 billion donated by philanthropist and writer MacKenzie Scott. 

Scott hired professional consultants to review leadership teams and results focusing on issues such as food insecurity, racial inequality, poverty and low access to philanthropic capital. Then the consultants created the final list of recipients after interviewing each organization.

“We stand committed to racial equity and economic opportunities for all in South Carolina, and this gift speaks volumes to the strong foundation built over many years and the impact we have made on communities and families,” said CommunityWorks CEO Tammie Hoy Hawkins. “We are so thankful for our longtime funders and partners who stood by us and continue to support us. We are honored to join so many amazing organizations across the country to receive this outstanding recognition of our service.”

In 2020, CommunityWorks has served 338 small businesses access to capital and coaching with more than 60% of them being minority or women-led.