About Inspire Columbia

Inspire Columbia was founded by University of South Carolina students who wanted to bring professional-grade civic programming back to their own city. Formerly known as ChangeMakers Events, the organization is entirely student-run, handling its own event production, sponsorships, and community outreach, and it reinvests every dollar it raises directly into the Columbia community.

Our flagship production, TEDxCongaree Vista, is the first standard TEDx event held in Columbia in over ten years. Beyond our flagship event, we run an annual associate program that gives Columbia-area students hands-on experience producing real community programming.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, all donations to Inspire Columbia are fully tax-deductible. Funds raised stay local, covering the essential costs of putting on accessible, informative, and action-oriented events for the community.