As founder of the non-profit organization Cultivating Character, Niki Wartenburg works to spread character-building messages throughout South Carolina. She directed media attention to this pursuit by highlighting CHARACTER COUNTS! in her platform during the Mrs. International 2006 competition and as Mrs. South Carolina International 2005.

A primary focus of her efforts is lobbying for more government support of character education in South Carolina schools and international communities. Representative Henry Brown has responded by supporting CC! Week with an announcement about the initiative during a Congressional Session. South Carolina’s governor Mark Sanford issued a CC! Week 2006 Proclamation, as well as a proclamation supporting the state’s second annual CC! Month. Mrs. Wartneburg will continue to pursue these opportunities as a Mrs. United States hopeful.