Charleston-Based Nonprofit Receives a $2M Boost from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott

Charleston-Based Nonprofit Receives a $2M Boost from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott

A prominent South Carolina-based nonprofit organization, Turn90, has been awarded a transformative grant of $2 million from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving initiative. This significant boost aims to fund the expansion of the organization’s “therapeutic social enterprise” model across the country.

About Turn90

Turn90 is a pioneering nonprofit that works towards the reduction of recidivism and the provision of proper support to men after prison. Through a unique model that combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), on-the-job training, and personalized support, the organization is dedicated to equipping individuals with the necessary skills and opportunities for a successful integration into society after incarceration.

Turn90’s Work and Recognition

Turn90 was recognized from among more than 6,000 applicants nationwide for its innovative model and the impact it has made in the lives of individuals post-incarceration. The organization’s expansion is particularly crucial at a time when the conversation about criminal justice reform is gaining momentum nationally.

The United States witnesses a sevenfold increase in incarceration rates since the 1970s, outpacing growth in population and crime rates. The impact of this rise disproportionally affects communities of color. This points to a vital need for alternatives to traditional punitive approaches, and here, Turn90’s mission and models provide promising solutions.

Statistics That Demand Change

Nearly 10 million Americans, including children, have an immediate family member in jail or prison. The racial disparities in this context are jarring, with one in three Black boys born today expected to serve prison time, compared to one in seventeen white boys. Nationwide, 62% of people are rearrested within three years after their release. These figures are alarming and call for immediate, tangible interventions.

Impact of the Grant and the Road Ahead

Amy Barch, founder of Turn90, expressed immense gratitude for this grant from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving initiative. Seeing this as a “powerful endorsement of their work and vision for the future,” Barch said this funding is a vital base to enhance the organization’s reach and effectiveness.
With an impressive 88% of graduates retaining employment for 90 days or longer and 78% remaining arrest-free, Turn90’s approach appears to be effective. Through the expansion facilitated by the grant, the organization has set its goal to support 120 men recently released from prison by the close of 2024.

Turn90 stands committed to leveling the playfield for men who have spent a lifetime disadvantaged and hindered by their criminal records. The organization hires them full-time, equipping them with the necessary life skills regardless of their work experience or criminal history. By doing so, they offer hope for a future outside of the criminal justice system.

In 2024, Turn90 plans to launch a third reentry center in South Carolina, furthering its mission to provide comprehensive support for men reintegrating into society after prison. This significant boost of funding will undoubtedly propel the organization’s journey in making a substantial change within the societal landscape.

By relentlessly striving to reduce the rate of recidivism, Turn90 seeks not just to reform lives but to reform society. With initiatives like this, there’s renewed hope that the cycle of incarceration can be broken, fostering a more inclusive society.