Although the Ports Authority is an instrumentality of the state operating for the benefit of all South Carolinians, it realizes it is a visible and important part of the local community. The Ports Authority strives to be a good corporate citizen and to be an active participant in the local community.

The Ports Authority's employees are active participants and leaders in the TridentUnited Way and various other community programs and charities. The Ports Authority's campaigns are employee-driven campaigns, with 100% of contributions coming from employees.In 2007, Ports Authority employees pledged more than $64,000 to the TridentUnited Way's annual giving campaign, an increase of 7.6% over the previous year.

Port Police runs its own annual giving campaign around the Thanksgiving holidays, collecting donations for port employees, vendors and the motor carrier community. In its seventh year, Port Police’s Caring and Sharing drive raised more than $6,000. In the Charleston area, 55 families received bags of non-perishable goods, grocery store gift cards, as well as toys and clothing.