Myrtle Beach, February 10, 2026
Chick-fil-A has awarded a $75,000 grant to Eastern Carolina Housing Organization (ECHO) through its True Inspiration Awards program, underscoring the vital role of private sector philanthropy. This investment aims to enhance ECHO’s ‘Pathway to Home’ program, which assists families transitioning out of homelessness. By empowering local non-profits like ECHO, Chick-fil-A is reinforcing community development efforts in Myrtle Beach, showcasing a model of corporate social responsibility that fosters stability and growth.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
What significant award did a Myrtle Beach nonprofit recently receive?
Eastern Carolina Housing Organization (ECHO) recently received a substantial $75,000 grant from Chick-fil-A’s True Inspiration Awards program. This award highlights the impact of private sector philanthropy on local community development.
Which specific organization in Myrtle Beach benefited from this grant?
The Eastern Carolina Housing Organization (ECHO) was the recipient. They are a dedicated non-profit that provides comprehensive housing assistance and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the Myrtle Beach area.
How will the $75,000 grant directly help the community?
The grant will specifically bolster ECHO’s “Pathway to Home” program. This initiative offers one year of income-based rental assistance and furnishes new homes for 15 families annually, facilitating their transition out of homelessness into stable housing.
What is the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards program?
Established in 2015, the True Inspiration Awards is a nationwide program by Chick-fil-A that honors and supports nonprofit organizations making a significant impact within their local communities. Grants range from $30,000 to $350,000.
What is the broader significance of Chick-fil-A’s contribution to ECHO?
This contribution exemplifies the powerful benefits of private sector engagement in community development, creating an agile support ecosystem. It underscores how successful businesses can channel resources into local non-profits to foster self-reliance and provide direct, tangible boosts to critical services.
Myrtle Beach
Local Nonprofit ECHO Receives $75,000 Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Award
A recent significant grant from Chick-fil-A’s True Inspiration Awards program spotlights Eastern Carolina Housing Organization (ECHO), reinforcing the powerful impact of private sector philanthropy on local community development and the resilience of Myrtle Beach small businesses and charitable initiatives.
The spirit of enterprise extends beyond commerce, often manifesting as a robust commitment to community well-being. In Myrtle Beach, this commitment has been notably demonstrated by Chick-fil-A, whose True Inspiration Awards recently honored a local pillar of support, the Eastern Carolina Housing Organization (ECHO), with a substantial $75,000 gift. This investment highlights how private initiative and corporate social responsibility can significantly bolster the crucial work of local non-profits, fostering stability and growth right here in our community. Such partnerships underscore the vital role that businesses play in strengthening the fabric of our neighborhoods, often achieving impactful results through targeted support that complements local efforts to address pressing needs.
The grant to ECHO serves as a compelling example of how entrepreneurial innovation, in this case, a successful business’s philanthropic outreach, can directly contribute to local solutions. It showcases a model where private investment empowers organizations on the ground, allowing them to expand their reach and enhance their services without solely relying on public funding or navigating extensive bureaucratic processes. This form of direct engagement is a testament to the idea that when businesses thrive, their positive ripple effects can be felt throughout the community, creating opportunities and offering a helping hand where it is most needed, which is a hallmark of a vibrant Myrtle Beach SC business landscape.
The True Inspiration Awards: A Legacy of Giving
The True Inspiration Awards program, established in 2015, honors the foundational legacy of Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy. This Nationwide initiative is designed to celebrate and support nonprofit organizations that are making a significant impact within their local communities. The grants awarded through this program aim to foster positive change across various categories, reflecting a broad commitment to societal betterment.
Annually, the True Inspiration Awards provide grants ranging from $30,000 to $350,000. In 2026, the program distributed over $6 million to 56 recipient organizations spanning the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. Since its inception, the program has disbursed nearly $40 million in grants to more than 400 nonprofit organizations across numerous U.S. states and several international locations.
ECHO’s Vital Role in the Myrtle Beach Community
The Eastern Carolina Housing Organization (ECHO) is a dedicated non-profit providing comprehensive housing assistance and supportive services to individuals and families in Myrtle Beach who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. This organization plays a crucial role in addressing critical local needs, reflecting the resilience and community-focused spirit prevalent among Myrtle Beach small business and charitable endeavors.
One of ECHO’s core initiatives is its “Pathway to Home” program, which offers substantial support to 15 families each year as they transition out of homelessness. This program provides one year of income-based rental assistance and furnishes new homes, facilitating a comprehensive and stable move into permanent housing. The $75,000 grant from Chick-fil-A is specifically designated to bolster this program, directly supporting rental assistance for families and aiding in the furnishing of new homes.
Chick-fil-A’s Corporate Philanthropy and Community Support
Chick-fil-A’s True Inspiration Awards align with the company’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility priorities, which include Caring for People, Caring for Others through Food, Caring for our Communities, and Caring for our Planet. The “Caring for Communities” category specifically focuses on programs that provide housing and other direct services to support young people and their families, making ECHO a fitting recipient.
The selection process for these awards often involves nominations from local Chick-fil-A Owner-Operators, demonstrating how local business leadership can directly contribute to identifying and supporting impactful organizations within their own communities. Additionally, Chick-fil-A One® Customers have the opportunity to participate by voting for finalists in their regions for some awards, fostering a broader community engagement in philanthropic efforts.
A Model for Local Economic Development and Self-Reliance
This significant contribution to ECHO underscores the powerful benefits of private sector engagement in community development. When established businesses like Chick-fil-A channel resources into local non-profits, it creates a robust ecosystem of support that can be more agile and responsive to immediate community needs. This approach minimizes dependency on broad government programs and instead fosters self-reliance and local solutions, hallmarks of healthy economic growth in areas like Myrtle Beach SC business. Such private investment allows organizations like ECHO to innovate and adapt their services to best serve their constituents, showcasing the effectiveness of targeted, community-driven philanthropy.
Key Features of the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards and ECHO Grant
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Awarding Organization | Chick-fil-A | Nationwide |
| Recipient Organization | Eastern Carolina Housing Organization (ECHO) | Local |
| Grant Amount | $75,000 | Local |
| Program Name | True Inspiration Awards | Nationwide |
| Program Establishment | 2015 | Nationwide |
| 2026 Total Awards | Over $6 million to 56 nonprofits | Nationwide |
| Total Grants (since 2015) | Nearly $40 million to over 400 nonprofits | Nationwide |
| ECHO Program Supported | “Pathway to Home” (rental assistance and home furnishings) | Local |
| Award Categories | Caring for People, Caring for Others through Food, Caring for our Communities, Caring for our Planet | Nationwide |
Empowering a Stronger Myrtle Beach
The $75,000 grant to ECHO through the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards exemplifies how successful enterprises can actively contribute to the well-being of their communities. This private investment provides a direct and tangible boost to critical local services, aiding families in their journey towards stable housing and self-sufficiency. It reflects a commitment to supporting the foundational elements of a thriving society and encourages the entire Myrtle Beach small business sector to consider how their success can also translate into broader community benefit.
As Myrtle Beach continues to experience economic growth, the synergistic efforts between businesses and non-profits will be increasingly important. We encourage our readers to recognize the value of these partnerships and consider supporting both the local businesses that invest in our community and the dedicated non-profit organizations like ECHO that work tirelessly to improve lives. Staying engaged and contributing to the economic and social health of Myrtle Beach helps foster a stronger, more resilient future for everyone.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
