SPOTLIGHT: American Heart Association

Name of organization:
American Heart Association

Year established locally:
stablished our Charleston office in 1990, Nationally founded in 1924

Top local executive:
Katie Schumacher, Executive Director

Contact information:  
887 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Suite 110
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-480-4910
CharlestonSC@heart.org   
www.heart.org/lowcountry

Average number of volunteers in 2020: 1,700+

Total operating budget (2020-2021):
$1.8 million  

Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: 80 cents of every dollar goes back to fund several programs, such as innovative and lifesaving research, critical educational programs, advocacy and lifesaving CPR trainings in the Lowcountry.

Geographic area or specific
population served:
Berkeley, Dorchester, Charleston counties.

Greatest need:
Financial support for our grassroot efforts. This past year, more than 10,000 people in S.C. died from heart disease. The best way to reduce this number is through education and to encourage self-monitoring by providing blood pressure cuffs. We also lack funding for research projects and are looking for volunteers. 

2021 Top achievements: 

Our local American Heart Association positively affects the Lowcountry community in many ways. They are present in each restaurant where you can breathe clean, smoke-free air. They are also present in every hospital where doctors save countless lives with technology developed from research funded by our organization. For almost 30 years, the American Heart Association has funded more than $23 million in research in Charleston. 

There are hundreds of local worksites that have American Heart-inspired walking paths, food and beverage guidelines, and employee wellness initiatives. The AHA has been dedicated to changing laws in the Palmetto state so our citizens can live a healthier life.

In addition to advocacy, we are teaming up with 200 local African Methodist Episcopal churches by educating parishioners about high blood pressure. This partnership is teaching participants how to “know their numbers” and is providing resources, including information on healthy eating, to help people live longer, healthier lives.

We are also dedicated to improving the lives of our children. Thousands of students in the Lowcountry participated in our Kids Heart Challenge, which supports our youth’s physical and emotional well-being.

This past year we were able to work with other local nonprofits to provide a new Urban Food Stand for one of most vulnerable communities in Charleston, allowing members to have increased access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables. This market also provides farm-to-school education and youth internship programs for high school students.

Our Get with the Guidelines quality improvement programs have impacted cardiovascular disease care for thousands of patients in Charleston. These programs provide local hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines to ensure the best care for patients.      

2022 Goals:

We want to expand our financial support, grow our volunteer base, engage our community in creating a healthier environment, improve our educational programs, train more people in hands-only CPR, shed light on lifestyle changes to improve health, educate others to know their numbers, and change laws that will create a healthier community.  

Fundraising events:

Lowcountry Heart Walk
February 26, 2022
LowcountrySCHeartWalk.org

Charleston Heart Ball
April 22, 2022
CharlestonHeartBall.org

Go Red For Women Campaign 
May 26, 2022
CharlestonGoRedLuncheon.heart.org

Corporate giving opportunities:

The American Heart Association accepts donations throughout the entire year. You can fund our lifesaving mission by supporting customized sponsorships that are centered around social media, CPR initiatives, workplace wellness and blood pressure programs and many more. You can also sponsor our heart-healthy campaigns: the Lowcountry Heart Walk, Charleston Hard Hats With Heart, Charleston Heart Ball and the Go Red For Women Campaign. Please email CharlestonSC@heart.org to find more ways on getting involved in building a healthy community.

Nonprofit Spotlight Sponsored by:

Click for more information about
Lowcountry American Heart Association