Karen Riordan, president and CEO of Together SC (formerly the SC Association of Nonprofit Organizations) talks with podcast host Frank Knapp about how she got from the smallest state in the nation, Rhode Island, to running a SC association. She describes the extensive services her 28-year organization provides to the 1000 nonprofits in their network.

In addition to direct services, Together SC within the last year has begun advocacy at the state and federal level, supporting or opposing policy that impacts nonprofits. Particular policy being supported include access to healthcare, economic development and affordable housing. Riordan says that SC Senator Tim Scott has been thanked by many nonprofits for his leadership in moving his Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act of 2025.

Together SC is very vocal on its concern about an anit-DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) bill passed by the SC House this passed session. Riordan agrees that the state can have any policy it wants for itself and local government receiving state funding. But the state should not be telling private nonprofits that they cannot use private donations to engage in work that is considered promoting DEI. Knapp shared that the SC Small Business Chamber of Commerce has the same position against the state telling private businesses that they cannot have a DEI policy if they want to bid on any state contracts.