{"id":4701,"date":"2026-08-31T12:35:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T12:35:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/?post_type=furman-update&p=4701"},"modified":"2026-08-31T13:19:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T13:19:55","slug":"power-ed-grant","status":"publish","type":"furman-update","link":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/news\/power-ed-grant\/","title":{"rendered":"The Riley Institute Receives $75,000 Grant for Afterschool Professional Development"},"content":{"rendered":"

Media Contacts:<\/strong>
\nFurman University
\nClaudia Winkler
\n864.294.3368
\nclaudia.winkler@furman.edu<\/p>\n

Power:Ed
\nClaire Gibbons
\n803.612.5050
\nclaire.gibbons@power-ed.org<\/p>\n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Riley Institute at Furman University receives $75,000 grant from SC Student Loan\u2019s philanthropy to support professional development for SC\u2019s afterschool and summer learning leaders<\/strong><\/p>\n

GREENVILLE, SC \u2013 August 31, 2026 \u2013 <\/strong>The Riley Institute at Furman University<\/a> (Riley Institute), has been awarded a $75,000 grant from SC Student Loan<\/a> Corporation by its philanthropic arm, Power:Ed<\/a>, to support the fourth annual \u201cPower Up: A Statewide Convening on Afterschool<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

As SC\u2019s only statewide afterschool conference, this two-day event is designed to build the knowledge, skills, and network of support for 150 of South Carolina\u2019s afterschool professionals. It helps equip staff to learn essential skills and enhance programs within a network of peers and experts. By investing in frontline program staff, this convening creates a ripple effect ensuring higher-quality programs, greater student engagement, increased student enrollment, and stronger support for families in under-resourced communities.<\/p>\n

The Power Up conference grew out of the South Carolina Afterschool Leaders Empowered (SCALE) fellowship, a 10-month leadership development initiative led by The Riley Institute to strengthen and professionalize the state\u2019s afterschool field. Power Up creates a statewide forum where afterschool professionals and their teams can step away from day-to-day demands to tackle shared challenges with renewed energy, exchange promising practices, and forge partnerships across the state. Plenary sessions focus on challenges and opportunities in the field, while breakout sessions allow attendees to focus on areas of growth and need in their particular organization. The unique format of inviting entire teams to attend together creates an atmosphere of shared responsibility and commitment to growth.<\/p>\n

\u201cPower Up provides a rare opportunity for afterschool and summer program providers to come together to celebrate their work and learn how they can serve children and families in better and more innovative ways,\u201d says Amy Keely, director of SCALE at The Riley Institute. \u201cWe\u2019re so delighted to have a partner like SC Student Loan Corporation recognize the need for leadership development among afterschool professionals and invest in this offering.\u201d<\/p>\n

Evidence shows that afterschool and summer programs impact students\u2019 academics, social skills, and career readiness while supporting working parents, yet the staff operating these programs often are not viewed as professionals or provided with opportunities for career growth. Afterschool leaders frequently cannot access professional development that ensures their programs are high-quality and making a measurable difference in children\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cPower:Ed and SC Student Loan are proud to support The Riley Institute and its work to boost education quality and access across South Carolina. Bringing best practices and knowledge to these 150 afterschool and summer learning program leaders and their staff will have a ripple effect, as these participants directly impact more than 3,000 SC students through their individual programs,\u201d said Power:Ed Executive Director Claire Gibbons.<\/p>\n

In FY2026-27 Power:Ed will award $1,425,000 in grants to South Carolina education and career readiness nonprofit organizations. In this first quarter, Power:Ed has awarded nine grants (including this grant to the Riley Institute) totaling $527,000. Grants are administered quarterly, and the next grant funding deadline is October 1, 2026.<\/p>\n

###<\/strong><\/p>\n

About The Riley Institute at Furman University<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Riley Institute advances quality education, economic opportunity, and civic participation across South Carolina and beyond. The institute develops diverse leaders and collaborate with partners to transform the systems and policies shaping our communities, drawing on Furman\u2019s expertise, convening power, and engaged students to drive lasting change.<\/p>\n

About Power:Ed<\/strong><\/p>\n

Founded in 2019, Power:Ed<\/a>, the philanthropy program of SC Student Loan<\/a>, is dedicated to creating opportunities for South Carolina\u2019s youth and adults by supporting low-income, underrepresented, 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\u00a0power-ed.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Media Contacts: Furman University Claudia Winkler 864.294.3368 claudia.winkler@furman.edu Power:Ed Claire Gibbons 803.612.5050 claire.gibbons@power-ed.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Riley Institute at Furman University receives $75,000 grant from SC Student Loan\u2019s philanthropy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":4707,"template":"","update-categories":[18,28],"class_list":["post-4701","furman-update","type-furman-update","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","furman-update-category-news-release","furman-update-category-south-carolina-afterschool-leaders-empowered"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/4701","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/furman-update"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/4701\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4792,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/4701\/revisions\/4792"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4707"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"furman-update-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/update-categories?post=4701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}