As the Executive Director from 2017 to 2026, Stephanie M. Kelley helped shape the way Easy Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) serves our neighbors. Her leadership, kindness and integrity led the organization through significant growth. She inspired our team and strengthened our programs, all while keeping our efforts focused on what has always been at the heart of ECCO: neighbors helping neighbors.

Now, as Stephanie begins a new chapter in academia, the ECCO community has an opportunity to band together and honor the kindness she inspired and the work she cared so deeply about through the Stephanie M. Kelley Legacy Fund.

Double Your Generosity!

For a limited time, your support can go twice as far. Through Oct. 2, 2026, every dollar donated to the Stephanie M. Kelley Legacy Fund will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $1 million. Please consider making a gift at eccocharleston.org/smk-donation.

Nine Years of Growth

During Stephanie’s tenure as Executive Director, the organization grew its reach and resources exponentially, including the historic $5.6 million Beyond Our Walls (BOW) renovation. Over time, ECCO has become a formidable source of hope, guidance and resources for thousands of local families.

During her nine years of leadership, Stephanie:

• Led the Beyond Our Walls Campaign, which included a complete renovation of ECCO’s facility and strengthened the organization’s ability to serve its neighbors.
• Championed the addition of mental health services, expanding ECCO’s ability to address the whole-person needs of the community.
• Spearheaded the creation of ECCO’s Mobile Office, extending the organization’s reach and creating stronger connections with neighbors in rural communities.
• Increased the number of new neighbors served by ECCO by 128%, significantly expanding the organization’s reach and impact in the community.

Before the BOW renovation, ECCO’s programs operated from different locations throughout the community. Today, they’re united under one roof—better positioned than ever to support neighbors in need. Stephanie led the effort to bring these services together, creating a single place for community members to turn while giving ECCO’s staff and volunteers a stronger foundation from which to serve.

Stephanie prioritized relationships with the people who make ECCO what it is: neighbors, staff, volunteers, donors and community partners. Her approach was centered on listening, compassion and the belief that every neighbor deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

When Stephanie announced her plans to transition from ECCO to pursue a career in academia, many people who had worked alongside her all asked the same question: “How can we continue ECCO’s mission and honor Stephanie’s work in a lasting way?” 

The Stephanie M. Kelley Legacy Fund is the answer to that question.

A Fund for ECCO’s Future

The Stephanie M. Kelley Legacy Fund was created to honor Stephanie’s request that the money remain unrestricted, giving ECCO the flexibility to use it where support is needed most. That flexibility matters. When a donation is designated for something specific—such as socks—it can only be used for that purpose. An unrestricted gift, however, allows ECCO to direct resources to the needs that exist at any given moment.

Communities change, and their needs change with them. Rather than tying gifts to one particular program or purpose, the Stephanie M. Kelley Legacy Fund allows ECCO to respond thoughtfully and put resources where they can make the greatest impact. In this way, Stephanie’s legacy can continue to meet the community’s needs wherever they arise.

This board-designated fund is held in a dedicated investment account and overseen by the Board’s Finance Committee. Under their supervision, a portion of the fund’s earnings will be made available each year to support ECCO’s mission, creating a long-term resource that the organization and our neighbors can rely on.

Every Gift Makes a Measurable Difference

No gift is too small. No generosity too great. Every contribution you make adds to the long-term support for ECCO’s work and creates positive change felt throughout our community. 

We hope that you will join us in continuing to deliver help and hope and empower East Cooper Community Outreach.

To make a gift, please visit eccocharleston.org/smklegacyfund. To learn more about the Stephanie M. Kelley Legacy Fund, contact Yoluanda Brown at [email protected]. She will be happy to answer your questions.