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The \$11 Million Impact: 7 Essential Facts About The ETV Endowment Of SC's 2025 Vision

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The ETV Endowment of South Carolina remains the critical financial engine for public broadcasting across the Palmetto State, driving the educational, cultural, and informational programming that millions rely on. As of late 2025, the organization continues its decades-long mission, showcasing a robust financial health and a clear focus on high-quality, local content that serves every corner of South Carolina. This deep dive uncovers the latest figures, the people steering its mission, and the specific programs that your donations are funding right now.

Founded in 1977, the ETV Endowment is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose singular purpose is to enrich and enlighten all the people of South Carolina by providing essential funding to South Carolina ETV (SCETV) and SC Public Radio. Its financial contributions are what allow SCETV to maintain its unique leadership role in archiving the state's history and delivering award-winning local and national programming.

ETV Endowment of SC: Leadership and Financial Foundation

The success and stability of the ETV Endowment are directly tied to its dedicated leadership and consistent financial performance, which has recently been recognized for its transparency and impact. Understanding the organization’s structure provides a clear picture of how funds are managed and distributed to support public media across the state.

Key Personnel and Governance

The Endowment is governed by a dedicated Board of Directors and led by experienced executives who oversee its fundraising and strategic direction. Key figures include:

  • Coby C. Hennecy, CPA, CFRE: Executive Director (Joined the Endowment in 1999, named Executive Director in 2009).
  • Sara B. Fisher: President.
  • Lauren Chivers: Financial Officer.

The Endowment’s roots trace back to its original Trustees—Nella Gray Barkley, Richard E. Tukey, and Hugh M. Chapman—and its first Executive Director, Elaine T. Freeman, who laid the groundwork for the organization’s enduring legacy. Today, the Endowment operates out of Spartanburg, SC, serving the entire state.

The 2024-2025 Financial Snapshot: Over \$11 Million in Support

The ETV Endowment’s financial health is a direct measure of community support for South Carolina’s public media. The figures for the most recent fiscal year highlight a massive commitment to SCETV and SC Public Radio programming:

  • Unrestricted Revenues (FY 2024): The Endowment received a substantial \$8.8 million in unrestricted revenues, which is the core funding used to support the daily operations and general public broadcasting needs across South Carolina.
  • Restricted Program Grants (FY 2024): An additional \$2.3 million was received in restricted grants. This specific funding is earmarked for the production of original, local programs to be broadcast on SCETV and SC Public Radio.
  • Total Direct Support: Combined, the Endowment channeled over \$11.1 million in crucial funding to the state's public broadcasting network in a single fiscal year.

In a nod to its commitment to accountability, the ETV Endowment of South Carolina was recently recognized with a 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency on its Candid Nonprofit Profile, the highest level of recognition for its open and honest reporting.

7 Recent and Essential Programs Fueled by ETV Endowment Support

The funding provided by the ETV Endowment is the lifeblood for a diverse array of programs, from educational children’s content to local news and cultural archives. These initiatives, many of which are active in the 2024-2025 school year, demonstrate the Endowment’s direct impact on education, civics, and culture in South Carolina.

  1. The Ready To Learn Initiative (2024-2025): A crucial, ongoing partnership with PBS, the Ready To Learn initiative allows SCETV to create and share high-quality, educational children's media. This program is a cornerstone of the 2024-2025 school year efforts, ensuring access to enriching content on television, online, and within the community.
  2. "When I See Myself, I See…": This new multimedia series is a powerful example of local programming, specifically designed to showcase student voices from across the state. It provides a platform for young people to share their perspectives and experiences, fostering a sense of community and representation.
  3. Local Civic Engagement Programming: Reflecting a high level of community interest, a program following host KJ Kearney as he explores the 'informal' ways citizens can be civically engaged in everyday life was among the top ten trending programs on SCETV.org in 2024. This content underscores the commitment to local, relevant news and public affairs.
  4. Teacher Appreciation Campaign (2025): Recognizing the vital role of educators, SCETV will launch a statewide campaign celebrating teachers during the 2024-2025 school year, timed to coincide with Teacher Appreciation Week 2025.
  5. HBCU Week Partnership: In November 2024, SCETV joined a growing public media partnership with Maryland Public Television to produce a suite of new programs for "HBCU Week," highlighting the history and importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
  6. Archiving South Carolina History: Beyond broadcasting, the ETV Endowment supports SCETV’s unique and critical role in archiving the state's history, preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
  7. Support for National Favorites: The Endowment’s unrestricted funds also help secure popular national programming from PBS and NPR, ensuring South Carolinians have access to beloved shows like *A Chef's Life* and the expanded news and public affairs content provided through SCETV’s partnership with WORLD.

The Broader Impact: Topical Authority and Public Trust

The ETV Endowment of SC functions as much more than a fundraising organization; it is a steward of public trust and a guarantor of essential services. Its ongoing work ensures that public broadcasting remains a vital, independent source of information, education, and culture.

A Network of Essential Entities

The Endowment's mission is intertwined with a network of critical entities and initiatives that collectively serve the state. The funding directly supports the South Carolina Educational Television Commission (SCETV) and SC Public Radio, which operate numerous stations across the state, including the primary broadcast center in Columbia.

Furthermore, the Endowment's efforts are crucial for key state-level initiatives, such as the SC K12 Technology Initiative, which receives funding to support the implementation of educational technology. By funding original, local programs, the Endowment ensures that SCETV is not just a carrier of national content, but a producer of meaningful, state-specific media.

Topical Authority: Supporting Diverse Content

The Endowment’s support spans a wide range of topical areas, establishing a strong topical authority in South Carolina media:

  • Education: Through the Ready To Learn initiative and the focus on showcasing student voices, the Endowment is a major force in K-12 education.
  • Civics and Public Affairs: Funding for local news, ETV Reports, and civic engagement programs ensures a well-informed citizenry.
  • Culture and History: Support for archiving state history, cultural specials, and partnerships like the HBCU Week initiative preserves and celebrates South Carolina's diverse heritage.
  • Independent Production: The restricted grants specifically for local production foster a creative environment for independent producers within the state.

In conclusion, the ETV Endowment of South Carolina is an indispensable pillar of the state’s media landscape. With over \$11 million in direct financial support in the last fiscal year and a commitment to transparency, the Endowment is actively shaping the 2025 public media experience. Its work ensures that SCETV and SC Public Radio can continue to provide the high-quality, local content that enriches the lives of every South Carolina resident, from the mountains to the sea.

etv endowment of sc
etv endowment of sc

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