Ways to Donate
When you give to ECCO, you provide help and hope to neighbors struggling to keep the lights on, families that cannot afford medical care, and seniors, unsure where their next meal is coming from. When you give, you’re investing directly into the East Cooper communities and the neighbors who live here.
Transparency is a key component to nonprofit organizations that follow best practices. ECCO provides the following information to individuals who are interested in knowing where we invest our resources and the impact we make by being good stewards of our donations and grant funding.
We invite you to make your impact in the following ways:
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Online Donation
Annual Giving
Unrestricted gifts to ECCO’s Annual Fund provide a crucial bridge between the needs of our clients, and the actual cost of purchasing food for our Wellness Pantry, providing financial assistance to a family in need, or helping provide basic dental care to an uninsured adult.
Most importantly, unrestricted gifts, regardless of the size, allow ECCO to respond to our most pressing financial concerns and provide the flexibility to pivot and take advantage of important opportunities.
With a gift to ECCO’s Annual Fund, you’ll make an immediate impact in the community.
Life Ring Society
The Monsignor James A. Carter Life Ring Society
Established in 2013, the Life Ring Society was established as an initiative to encourage ongoing support from the local community. Made up of donors who make an annual gift of $1,000 or more, this society is the very lifeblood of ECCO’s Annual Fund.
Like a life preserver, the Life Ring Society provides hope to those in financial distress by giving them the opportunity to pull themselves up. Each gift makes a direct impact on the lives of the neighbors we serve.
Our Life Ring Society levels of support:
- Visionary Circle – $10,000 and above
- Empowerment Circle – $5,000 and above
- Inspiration Circle – $2,500 and above
- Hope Circle – $1,000 and above
Members of the Life Ring Society enjoy benefits such as:
- An invitation to annual Life Ring Society events
- A quarterly newsletter from our executive director
- Name displayed on the upcoming Life Ring Society display
- Life Ring Society window cling mailed to your home
Throughout the year, ECCO’s Board of Directors hosts several Life Ring Society receptions for existing donors to invite new friends to learn more about supporting the organization. To learn more about our Life Ring Society, please email ECCO’s Director of Development, Don Squires, at dsquires@eccocharleston.org or by phone at 843-416-7123.
Holiday Initiatives
Thanksgiving Meal Distribution:
Each November, we distribute a complete Thanksgiving meal to neighbors that are clients with ECCO. It includes all of the fixings like green beans, yams, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and of course turkey.
Help ECCO reach our goal of distributing gift cards for turkeys to local families this holiday season by making a donation today. With your help, we can give our families the opportunity to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal together! For more information, please contact Don Squires at dsquires@eccocharleston.org.
Adopt-a-Family:
ECCO’s 16th Annual Adopt a Family program has officially kicked off, providing assistance for local families this holiday season. Last year, this program reached over 251 local families and 531 children. With the help of this community, we are continuing this great program in hopes of reaching more families than ever before.
Beginning Monday, November 6th, you can adopt a local ECCO family by clicking the link below to begin. Once you sign up and select your family, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your family’s complete wish list. Then, you can begin shopping and spreading holiday cheer! We’re hopeful to count you in our holiday circle of support.
If you are unable to adopt an entire family, please click here to visit our wish list on Amazon to help us fill in the gaps for our Santa’s Closet program from the comfort of your home. You can also contribute by providing wrapping supplies (wrapping paper, tape, bows, tags, tissue, Christmas bags, and boxes).
For more information or if you have any questions about Adopt a Family, please contact Suzanne Redford by phone at (843) 416-42 or by email at sredford@eccocharleston.org.
Thank you in advance for supporting the 16th Annual Adopt a Family program and brightening the lives of hundreds of children this holiday season!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
The Big Dill Charity Pickleball Tournament
Mark your calendars for ECCO’s inaugural The Big Dill Pickleball Tournament – a weekend of fun, philanthropy, and dinks!
The Big Dill is not just about playing the sport we love; it’s about making a difference in the lives of those in our community who need it most. All proceeds from this event will go towards helping ECCO continue to help and hope to those facing financial distress. Support from local community members like you allow us to help our neighbors, while enjoying a fun and competitive weekend. Join us Friday, June 14 – Sunday, June 16, 2024 at Collins Park.
Here’s what you can expect at the tournament:
- Competitive pickleball matches for players of all skill levels
- Prizes and awards for top performers/teams
- A sponsors and players party to kick off the weekend
- Local food and national pickleball vendors
- Raffles with fantastic prizes at all locations
- An opportunity to make a positive impact in our community
Be on the lookout as more information regarding registration and sponsorship will be released in the coming months. By participating in this event, you’ll not only have a fantastic weekend of pickleball but also contribute to a meaningful cause. Together, we can make a real difference through pickleball!
We can’t wait to see you at The Big Dill Pickleball Tournament, where every serve, volley, and dink will support our local neighbors.
For any questions or inquiries, please feel free to reach out to us at aavera@eccocharleston.org or by phone at (843) 416-7124.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
Monthly Giving
Become a monthly donor and support ECCO on a regular basis. This is one of the most helpful ways to support our organization. Did you know that a $50 monthly donation to ECCO could provide a monthly food order for one local family in need? Monthly, recurring gifts are a wonderful way to show your ongoing support for ECCO and provide our organization with essential consistent gifts.
Donor-Advised Funds (IRA Rollovers, Gifts of Stock, etc)
Combine the most favorable tax benefits available with the flexibility to easily support ECCO and your neighbors in need. Donor-advised funds are like charitable investment accounts for the purpose of supporting nonprofits. Donor-advised funds are tax-deductible and the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicle in the U.S.
If you’re interested in learning more about this charitable investment option/planned giving opportunities, contact Don Squires, director of development and marketing, at dsquires@eccocharleston.org.
Visit our donor-advised funds page to learn more.
Quick stock transfer instructions:
- Contact ECCO’s broker, Richard Giles at Truist Investment Services by phone at 843-722-7818, or by email at richard.giles@truist.com
- Provide this information to initiate the transfer (East Cooper Community Outreach)
- DTC #0226
- ECCO Account # WA7-075324
Legacy Giving
This community of donors is making “hope and help” part of their lasting legacy. Planned giving can make a difference today and for many years to come. Planned giving allows a donor to include ECCO in their estate.
If you’re interested in learning more about this charitable investment option/planned giving opportunities, contact Don Squires, director of development and marketing, at dsquires@eccocharleston.org.