Committed to Charleston Recommits to Philanthropy at CofC

^{Photos by Catie Cleveland}

First debuting in 2013, the College of Charleston’s student-led philanthropy organization Committed to Charleston Society (C2C) is back and better than ever.

On Nov. 14, 2025, the C2C held its Rechartering Ceremony at the Blacklock House (18 Bull St.). During the ceremony, C2C members signed the re-founding charter, heard some grateful words from CofC President Andrew T. Hsu and met C2C alumni, including the organization’s original presidents.

“I’m proud to be one of the founders of Committed to Charleston because I see the importance of students being involved and making the College the best it can be,” said former C2C president Joe Busch ’14.

This student organization is designed to promote the value of philanthropy at the College, ensuring that all students at the College of Charleston are informed, involved and giving back. The group aims to help students to understand that they benefit from the philanthropic support of alumni and donors, and that every dollar counts. That’s why they encourage all students to make an annual gift of at least $17.70, the year the College was founded. Every gift from a student is a vote of confidence in the College of Charleston.

But the C2C is more than just a fundraising campaign; it’s a revived movement toward a better community through student leadership. This student philanthropy group is focused on fostering student leadership and philanthropic endeavors by giving students a chance to choose their own cause to advocate for.

Peyton Baxley ’23, assistant director of student and young alumni giving in the Division of Institutional Advancement, says the C2C is a way for students to understand and utilize the power they have.

“Philanthropy can be really amazing, and it’s not just for wealthy people,” she says. “I think of it more as a collective action.”

In 2013, the society’s donations went toward the CofC Fund, which supports the College’s areas of greatest need – anything from general operating costs to helping students navigate unforeseen circumstances. However, many students felt hesitant to donate without having a say in how their contribution would be used.

Now, in the revived version of the C2C, students have the opportunity to choose exactly where their donations go. This helps students feel empowered in their school and passionate about giving back to it.

“Even when I was a student, I was giving back and donating to causes that I really cared about just because I care about them,” says Baxley. “I’ve always given back because it was meaningful to me, not because I’m into philanthropy. C2C’s goal is finding the things that students care about, so that giving back is natural.”

This year, students voted to raise money for the Green Initiatives Fund to create better sustainability practices here in Charleston through CofC’s Center of Sustainable Development (CSD). Each year, the society plans to vote on a new initiative to put their time, effort and money raised toward.

Sustainability seemed like the perfect focus for this year, especially since students living in Charleston can feel the effects of climate change all around them. From King Tides and flooding to temperature changes, Charleston has been suffering from unsustainable practices that the C2C is working with the CSD to change.

Join the C2C and start shaping the future of the College of Charleston – one meaningful contribution at a time.

Alyssa McDowell is a senior communication major with interests in writing and journalism. She serves as a peer facilitator with the Office of New Student Programs and an application support specialist with the Office of Admissions.