Charleston Place Hotel by Orient-Express in Charleston, S.C., has been named the 2009 top corporate philanthropist by the Lowcountry Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

The hotel's charitable initiatives have been led by regional managing director Paul Stracey and the general manager of Charleston Grill, Mickey Bakst. Charleston Place has supported organizations that cover cultural, educational and human needs issues. The most recent project is "Feed the Need," a coalition of restaurants, caterers and hoteliers who have rallied to help feed the hungry and assist local emergency food providers. The organization was set up in April 2009 and has so far helped approximately 14,000 people, saving food banks an estimated $42,000.

Charleston Place also offers charitable organizations space for events and rooms at reduced rates or sometimes at no cost. One of the most successful events was a fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, where $200,000 was raised in one evening.

AFP works to advance philanthropy worldwide through advocacy, research, education and certification programs. For more information, visit www.afpnet.org.