President & CEO Wendy Damron Given Major Award for School Choice Efforts

We are pleased to announce that Palmetto Promise Institute President & CEO Wendy Damron was awarded the Heritage Foundation’s 2025 Doer Award at the Awakening by Heritage Conference this past weekend.

Heritage defines “Doers” as individuals who are making a difference in their personal lives or fields of work, advancing Heritage’s mission and values. The Heritage Foundation selected Damron for this award because of her diligent efforts to raise funds for students enrolled in the Education Scholarship Trust Fund program, whose scholarships were abruptly ripped away weeks into the school year after an unexpected decision by the SC Supreme Court. While fundraising, Damron simultaneously has worked to pass legislation to revive and expand this vital  school choice program. 

Just days after the Court’s decision on September 11, 2024, Damron set out to raise funds to support ESTF students (all of whom fall within 200% of the federal poverty line) remaining in their schools of choice for the rest of the school year. To date, she has successfully raised over $2.4 million of the needed $3 million, 100% of which has been put forward to cover the tuition for ESTF students through our Rescue Fund. Since November, Palmetto Promise Institute has made school tuition payments on behalf of nearly 800 ESTF students, and we anticipate continuing those payments for the third quarter of the school year while the General Assembly works to finalize legislation that would restore school choice in South Carolina.

We are truly grateful for the generous donors who have selflessly given to help these students and families in a time of crisis. It has made a tremendous difference in the lives of so many across the state.

If you feel inspired to help us reach our goal, please consider designating your gift to the “ESA Families Rescue Fund” by checking the box on our donate page.