About Women's Programs for Women
Women's empowerment programs in the US are funded through a mix of federal grants (Office on Women's Health, Women's Bureau at the Department of Labor, WANTO grants for nontraditional trades) and nonprofit networks like the YWCA, AAUW, and the National Council of Women's Organizations. Services typically include leadership development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship through SBA Women's Business Centers (WBCs), and peer support groups. Dress for Success outfits women re-entering the workforce, and Bottomless Closet and Step Up Network mentor low-income women. State-level women's commissions advocate on policy and refer to local providers. This directory aggregates WBCs, YWCAs, women's commissions, and empowerment nonprofits.
17 Resources
The SC Commission for Women at 1205 Pendleton Street in Columbia advises the Governor on policy issues affecting women — pay equity, healthcare, leadership, and gender-based violence. They publish reports and host stakeholder convenings. Phone 803-734-2132 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm. Free public agency.
803-734-2132 · 1205 Pendleton St, Columbia, SC 29201 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website
YWCA Greater Charleston at 17 Farmfield Avenue runs women's leadership programming, racial-justice initiatives like the Stand Against Racism, and direct services. Their Women in Business and Y-WIT (Women in Technology) programs build careers. Phone 843-722-7200 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Most events free.
843-722-7200 · 17 Farmfield Ave, Charleston, SC 29407 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
WREN at 1201 Main Street in Columbia is SC's leading reproductive-justice and gender-equity advocacy nonprofit, working on policy, voter engagement, and grassroots organizing. Phone 803-728-8840 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or email info@scwren.org. Membership free; donate to support advocacy.
803-728-8840 · 1201 Main St Suite 300, Columbia, SC 29201 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Dress for Success Midlands at 1516 Richland Street in Columbia outfits women returning to work with interview-ready attire plus career coaching, a Going Places Network for job seekers, and a Professional Women's Group. Phone 803-771-7550 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Services by referral; free for clients.
803-771-7550 · 1516 Richland St, Columbia, SC 29201 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Windwood Farm at 100 Windwood Way in Awendaw is a residential program for at-risk youth that also offers family reunification, foster training, and parenting support for the Lowcountry. Phone 803-894-5700 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Most services grant-funded; free for qualifying families.
803-894-5700 · 100 Windwood Way, Awendaw, SC 29429 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
The Lowcountry Women's Collective in Charleston is a peer-led network supporting women's leadership development through community-building, mentorship circles, and civic engagement. Phone 843-577-4014 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Membership and most events free.
843-577-4014 · Charleston, SC · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
SC Women in Business at 1301 Gervais Street in Columbia supports women entrepreneurs through networking, mentorship, and educational events. Quarterly programming brings together established and emerging women business owners. Phone 803-799-4601 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Membership-based.
803-799-4601 · 1301 Gervais St Suite 1100, Columbia, SC 29201 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
United Way of the Midlands at 1800 Main Street in Columbia runs Women United, a women's giving and volunteer circle funding programs that help low-income mothers stabilize. They host an annual leadership summit. Phone 803-733-5400 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.
803-733-5400 · 1800 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website
The Greenville Women's Coalition (operated via United Way of Greenville County) brings together women leaders in the Upstate for advocacy, mentorship, and community investment focused on women and girls. Phone 864-467-3000 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Free to attend coalition events.
864-467-3000 · Greenville, SC · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
AAUW at aauw.org runs fellowships, dissertation grants, and the free online Work Smart salary-negotiation course. SC has active branches in Columbia, Greenville, Charleston, and Spartanburg with local scholarship and policy programming.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
NOW at now.org organizes grassroots feminist advocacy on reproductive rights, workplace equity, and ending violence against women. SC chapters in Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville coordinate rallies and voter mobilization. Free membership tiers available.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The League of Women Voters of South Carolina at lwv.org runs voter registration drives, publishes nonpartisan voter guides for every SC election, and hosts candidate forums. Open to women, men, and non-binary members 16+. Free voter guides; small membership dues.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
YWCA USA at ywca.org coordinates 200+ local YWCAs nationwide. SC has YWCA Greater Charleston plus affiliates in Columbia and the Upstate. Useful when relocating — find your destination's YWCA before you arrive. Free directory.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Women's Funding Network at womensfundingnetwork.org links women's foundations nationwide investing in women and girls. Their public reports document where philanthropic dollars are flowing for women's economic security and safety. Free public site.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Association of Junior Leagues International at ajli.org links the Junior Leagues of Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville. Each runs training in nonprofit leadership and community projects in literacy, DV, and education. Membership dues apply.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Soroptimist at soroptimist.org awards Live Your Dream cash grants (
k-
0k) to women heads of household pursuing education. SC clubs in Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville host local award rounds annually. Application opens each August. Free to apply.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Zonta at zonta.org awards the Women in Business and Klausman scholarships for women pursuing degrees in male-dominated fields. The Zonta Club of Charleston hosts local mentorship in the Lowcountry. Free to apply for scholarships.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Frequently Asked
- How many women's programs resources are in South Carolina?
- Women's Corner tracks 17 women's programs resources for women in South Carolina.
- Are women's programs resources in South Carolina free?
- 17 of the 17 listed women's programs resources in South Carolina are explicitly free or low-cost.
- Which cities in South Carolina have women's programs resources?
- Listings span cities including Columbia, Charleston, Awendaw, Greenville.
- What are some examples of women's programs resources in South Carolina?
- Featured entries include SC Commission for Women, YWCA of Greater Charleston, Women's Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN), Dress for Success — Midlands, Windwood Farm Home for Children and Families.
- Do these listings include phone numbers?
- 9 of 17 South Carolina women's programs listings include phone numbers.
- What do women's empowerment programs actually offer?
- Most combine peer support groups, financial literacy and credit-building classes, job training, GED prep, leadership development, and help navigating benefits and legal systems. Many include free childcare during sessions. Programs like Dress for Success, Bottomless Closet, and YWCA chapters serve women rebuilding after divorce, abuse, or job loss.
- Are there programs for single moms specifically?
- Yes. The Life of a Single Mom (TLSM) operates in 30+ states with peer groups and crisis grants. Helping Hands for Single Moms funds college for single mothers. Modest Needs gives short-term emergency grants. Many United Way 211 calls connect single mothers to local single-mom funds for rent, car repair, or childcare.
- Do these programs cost money?
- Almost all empowerment programs are free for income-qualifying women, often funded through HHS Office of Family Assistance, state TANF dollars, or private foundations. Many include free meals, transportation stipends, and childcare. Bring ID, proof of income, and any benefits letters when you enroll.
- Can I get help starting a business as a woman?
- Yes. The SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership funds 140+ Women's Business Centers nationwide offering free training, mentorship, and loan readiness. SCORE provides free women-mentor pairings. Grants like the Amber Grant (
0,000/month) and Cartier Women's Initiative target women founders. Many states have additional women-owned business certifications that unlock contracts.