Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina president to retire in the summer of 2022

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Tags: Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina , Foundations

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Tom Keith, the longtime president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, will retire in July 2022. Keith is the founding president of the foundation, which began in May 1996 and he has served in that role for nearly 26 years. A search committee has been established to ensure a smooth transition for the organization. Under Keith’s leadership, more than $81 million in grants has been disbursed to more than 3,100 organizations across South Carolina. He also helped found the SC Center for Fathers and Families, the South Carolina Grantmakers Network, and the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative for women religious across the state. Keith previously led the Providence Hospital Foundation from 1993-96.

“Tom’s decision to retire is bittersweet for all of us involved with the Foundation,” said Andy Folsom, board chair. “We are excited for Tom and his future but will miss his leadership and strong commitment to the mission of the sisters.”

Keith’s career in the non-profit sector spans more than 45 years. He began his nonprofit journey three months out of college in August 1976. His community work includes serving on the boards of Columbia College, The Columbia Free Medical Clinic, Healthy Learners, and the SC Center for Fathers and Families.

“Tom has been a loyal and dedicated servant leader to the foundation and the Sisters of Charity for parts of four decades,” said Sister Judith Ann Karam, congregational leader of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine. “His commitment to and passion for alleviating poverty in South Carolina has been extraordinary and we will miss him very much,” Karam said.

The Foundation search committee hopes to name a successor by March of 2022.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System.