The South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families (SCCFF) approved its ambitious 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, “Reconnecting Fathers, Rebuilding Families.” Building on the remarkable momentum of its 2025 Impact Report—where SCCFF served 3,409 fathers, impacted over 3,800 children, and achieved 192% of state goals—the organization is charting a bold path to deepen its statewide impact while securing long-term sustainability.

For more than two decades, SCCFF has stood as South Carolina’s leading network for fatherhood services. Rooted in the Sisters of Charity Foundation’s mission to fight poverty through family strengthening, the Center has grown from supporting 18 local programs in 2002 into a unified statewide backbone organization serving all 46 counties through five regional affiliates and 15 hubs. Today, with a proven track record of holistic support—parenting education, employment coaching, legal navigation, health services, and family reunification—SCCFF stands ready to meet rising demand.

The plan rests on three core discoveries from an extensive planning process: demand for fatherhood services is substantial and growing; reconnecting fathers requires a holistic, multi-dimensional approach; and long-term progress depends on strong systems, partnerships, and policy alignment. These insights, drawn from data, stakeholder interviews, and affiliate collaboration, directly inform three strategic pillars.

Pillar 1: Increase Support

To protect mission delivery from funding volatility, SCCFF will reduce reliance on any single source from approximately 90% to no more than 75% of total revenue by December 31, 2028, while raising at least $1 million in new, diversified funding from corporations, individual donors, foundations, and municipalities.

Pillar 2: Increase Reach

SCCFF will package and scale its evidence-informed signature programs for national markets. By 2028, the Center aims to serve 1,000 fathers outside South Carolina through the sale of 50 program cohorts, generating earned revenue while positioning SCCFF as a national leader in fatherhood innovation.

Pillar 3: Increase Impact

SCCFF will expand service to 5,000 fathers annually—3,000 in current service areas and 2,000 in the 28 counties still lacking consistent support—through targeted investments, shared standards, capacity building, and strengthened governance across its affiliate network.

Guided by its core beliefs—that every child deserves an engaged father, that fathers can overcome barriers with support and dignity, and that collaboration drives lasting systems change—SCCFF also renews its promises: to optimize board leadership, deepen its partnership with the Sisters of Charity Health System, and maintain operational excellence and accountability in every area.

Board Chairman TJ Clayton stated, “The need is great, but our organization and our partners stand ready for the challenge.”

President Karriem Edwards added that the plan positions SCCFF “to serve more fathers, strengthen more families, and advance systemic change that supports father engagement not only in South Carolina, but beyond.”

As South Carolina confronts persistent father absence—42% of children live in single-parent households—the 2026–2028 Strategic Plan transforms challenge into generational opportunity. Every father lifted becomes a stronger family, a more resilient community, and a brighter future for the next generation.

Learn more and join us at scfathersandfamilies.com. Together, we are reconnecting fathers and rebuilding families—one dad, one family, one community at a time.