South Carolina Education Grants

This funding initiative provides financial support to community-based organizations, local and tribal governments in eight southeastern states to address environmental justice issues and promote healthier environments.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and local governments in rural Southern communities for engaging professional artists in various artistic disciplines.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible schools in South Carolina for acquiring arts supplies, professional development, and creative services to enhance student learning through innovative arts practices.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies that improve health and well-being for residents of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, with a focus on prenatal and early childhood development initiatives.

This grant provides funding to 501(c)(3) organizations for educational programs in hospitality, environmental conservation, and medical research focused on kidney disease and Alzheimer’s, specifically in Rhea County, Tennessee, and Oconee County, South Carolina.

The Systems Change grants from the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina are designed for organizations committed to influencing and guiding change in structural factors and systemic policy issues that have caused, reinforced, or worsened poverty in South Carolina. This grant program directly aligns with the foundation's mission to address the root causes of poverty by supporting initiatives that aim for long-term, systemic solutions rather than just addressing symptoms. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its focus on understanding and disrupting the underlying issues that perpetuate poverty, emphasizing a comprehensive and collaborative approach. The target beneficiaries of these grants are people experiencing poverty in South Carolina, and the impact goals are to disrupt, reduce, or eliminate specific barriers and issues within the structural factors associated with poverty. Organizations seeking funding must be addressing one or more of these structural factors and have identified clear issues they intend to tackle. The foundation's theory of change appears to be centered on the belief that by addressing systemic problems through research, policy reform, advocacy, and collaborative solutions, lasting improvements in health, safety, and economic mobility can be achieved for vulnerable populations. The program prioritizes organizations that bring diverse people together to understand the entire system, coordinate various interventions, and work collaboratively across multiple sectors, including government, faith-based groups, social service agencies, funders, and the business community. This focus underscores the foundation's commitment to holistic and integrated solutions. Furthermore, organizations are expected to demonstrate long-term goals and strategies, grounded in extensive research, planning, evaluation, continuous learning, and the integration of diverse perspectives. Expected outcomes and measurable results include fostering systems-level change, informing government policy for more effective and equitable practices, and creating innovative solutions through advocacy and collaboration. Examples of funded nonprofits include those conducting research to undergird systems-level change, informing government policy for more equitable practices, and engaging in advocacy to address structural issues affecting the health, safety, and economic mobility of people experiencing poverty. The grant size ranges from $10,000 to $100,000, with a typical median of $15,000-$20,000, suggesting a focus on impactful, yet often specific, interventions.

The kNot Today Child Protection Grant is designed to strategically invest in programs that offer preventive and/or proactive initiatives to end the sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking of children. This aligns directly with kNot Today's core mission. The foundation's theory of change is rooted in making measurable differences through specific programs that support children, demonstrating impact, and fostering innovative, collaborative, and creative solutions to meet community needs and protect and empower children. They achieve this by funding projects that address critical areas within child protection, ensuring long-term restorative care and systemic change. The grant targets minor survivors of child sexual abuse or trafficking, their families, and children in need of identification and protection. Impact goals include providing therapeutic services for healing, ensuring access to long-term restorative care and support, developing resources and advocating for protective policies, assisting law enforcement with tools and technology, and promoting access to education for early identification of at-risk children. The program seeks to create a comprehensive support system for child protection and recovery. Key priorities and focus areas for kNot Today include therapeutic services, long-term restorative care, policy advocacy, law enforcement support, and educational initiatives. The organization prioritizes funding for agencies in Indiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina in this grant cycle. They favor projects that demonstrate financial stability, measurable impact, and innovative approaches to community needs. Faith-based applicants are encouraged to clarify the integration of religious beliefs into their projects. Expected outcomes involve improved healing journeys for survivors, sustained access to supportive care, strengthened protective policies, enhanced law enforcement capabilities, and increased identification of children in need through educational programs. kNot Today emphasizes measurable results, requiring projects to demonstrate their impact, and they examine financial stability to ensure effective use of funds. The foundation's strategic priority is to make significant, demonstrable advancements in ending child sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking through targeted and impactful investments.

This funding opportunity is available for organizations that have not received a grant from GCCF this year or previously applied without success, supporting a wide range of programs and projects that don't fit into other categories.

The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville's Compass Society Grant program is designed to fund collaborative, visionary projects that create significant and sustainable impacts across various aspects of the community's quality of life. This program aligns with the Foundation's mission to drive future-focused opportunities, aiming to build a better community for future generations. It emphasizes collective action, requiring organizations to work together to achieve outcomes greater than any single entity could accomplish alone. The grant targets a broad range of beneficiaries across Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan counties in the Greater Huntsville area. Projects are expected to address multiple focus areas within the Foundation's Quality of Life Framework, which includes Arts & Culture, Basic Needs, Economic Opportunity, Education, Environment, Health & Wellness, Neighborhoods & Communities, and Recreation. The overarching impact goal is to strengthen the community by investing in programs that provide essential services, foster growth, and enrich lives holistically. Priority for funding is given to projects that demonstrate visionary, collaborative, and high-impact characteristics. "Visionary" projects create innovative, future-focused programs, while "collaborative" projects involve three or more partners, not necessarily all nonprofits. Projects must also span at least three of the Foundation's Quality of Life focus areas. "High-impact" initiatives are those that can affect a large number of people through scalable, ripple-effect transformations, indicating a strategic focus on widespread and lasting change. The expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around these priority areas. Projects are anticipated to produce innovative solutions, foster strong community partnerships, and demonstrate a broad reach across multiple quality-of-life indicators. The Foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are rooted in the belief that collaborative, innovative, and impactful initiatives, guided by a future-focused vision, are essential for sustainable community development. By funding projects that meet these criteria, the Community Foundation aims to empower organizations to drive meaningful transformation and enhance the overall well-being of the Greater Huntsville area.

This funding opportunity supports public libraries in South Carolina to collaborate with artists and arts organizations, fostering community engagement through various artistic and cultural activities.

The Anderson County Watershed Protection Council is offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for projects that protect or restore water quality in the Savannah River watershed, increase citizen awareness, and empower communities to collect and share water quality data, with priority given to proposals closest to the spill site.

The Anderson Water Council is currently accepting applications for grants focused on the protection and remediation of water resources within Anderson County, specifically within Georgia and South Carolina. This grant program is designed to align with the Anderson Water Council's mission to assist Savannah Riverkeeper and Upstate Forever in identifying, prioritizing, and funding projects that empower citizens to address existing and emerging threats to water resources. The core objective is to restore water quality in the impacted areas of the Savannah River watershed. The target beneficiaries for this grant funding include not-for-profit charitable corporations or trusts authorized to operate in South Carolina or Georgia with a mission aligned with the Water Council's goals. Additionally, the Georgia and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Forestry Commissions, and Departments of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism are eligible. Educators, municipalities, school systems, and any agency, commission, or instrumentality of such a municipality in the impacted areas are also encouraged to apply. The impact goals are centered on empowering local communities to take action and collect and publicly share water quality data, ultimately leading to improved water quality. The program prioritizes projects that empower local communities to actively participate in water resource management, particularly those focused on data collection and public sharing of water quality information. Funding is also available for water restoration projects. The Water Council is particularly interested in initiatives that foster citizen engagement and education around water resource issues. The expected outcomes include a more engaged citizenry, increased awareness of water quality threats, and the implementation of effective water restoration efforts. Measurable results for citizen empowerment and education projects typically see average individual grant awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, while water restoration projects can receive up to $100,000. Grants may also include multi-year awards, not exceeding three years. The Anderson Water Council's strategic priority is to support initiatives that contribute directly to the restoration and protection of the Savannah River watershed, with a strong emphasis on community-led solutions and data-driven approaches. Their theory of change suggests that by empowering local communities with funding and support for data collection and restoration, significant improvements in water quality and resource protection can be achieved.

The Spartanburg County Foundation offers Continuous Improvement Grants of up to $25,000, aligning with its vision to help all Spartanburg County residents achieve their human potential. These grants focus on three amplified areas: quality of life, educational achievement, and economic mobility. The Foundation's strategic priority is to support organizations that demonstrate alignment with this mission, provide services to Spartanburg County residents, respond to these three areas with data-informed approaches, utilize comprehensive measurement tools, and can leverage multiple funding sources. The target beneficiaries are residents of Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Impact goals include improving overall well-being, reducing barriers to academic success, and enhancing potential for upward economic mobility within the community. The theory of change is that by supporting initiatives in these key areas, the Foundation can foster a community where residents have access to opportunities for personal and economic growth. The grant prioritizes initiatives that enhance quality of life, such as community and cultural programs, activities promoting physical and mental health, and resources for household stability. Examples include accessible outdoor spaces, care for uninsured individuals, Spanish-speaking staff for diverse populations, mobile food markets, and assistance with housing and utilities. The expected outcomes in this area are improved physical and mental health, increased community engagement, and greater household stability for residents. Educational achievement is another key focus, aiming to reduce academic barriers and improve educational outcomes for K-12 students, provide access to post-secondary education and careers, and support return-to-learn adults. This includes mentoring, out-of-school programs, summer learning initiatives, internships, and access to GED completion, internet, and academic materials. Measurable results would include increased academic success rates, higher rates of post-secondary enrollment, and greater access to educational resources for all ages. Economic mobility initiatives are designed to improve financial self-sufficiency, promote asset building, and ensure access to affordable transportation. This involves supporting job training and certification, job search and placement services, financial coaching, small and minority business development, homeownership assistance, and programs to supplement or provide transportation in rural areas. The expected outcomes are increased financial stability, asset accumulation, and improved access to employment opportunities for Spartanburg County residents. The grant duration for all projects is one year.

This funding opportunity supports South Carolina artists in launching or enhancing arts-based business initiatives that promote career satisfaction and sustainability.

The Christine Brice Stevenson Community Charitable Trust seeks applications from medical, educational, and religious organizations in Abbeville County, Anderson County, and the Due West community in South Carolina. The core mission of the trust is to enrich the lives of residents in these specific geographic areas through targeted support. This grant program is designed to align with the trust's commitment to community well-being by addressing critical needs in health, education, and spiritual development within these localities. The primary target beneficiaries are residents of Abbeville County, Anderson County, and the Due West community, particularly those served by medical, educational, and religious organizations within these areas. The trust's impact goals center on improving quality of life, fostering educational opportunities, supporting health initiatives, and strengthening religious communities. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the average grant size and total giving, the expectation is that funding will contribute to the ongoing success and reach of recipient organizations, thereby directly benefiting the local population. The grantmaking priorities clearly focus on organizations located in Abbeville County, Anderson County, and the Due West community. Additionally, the trust explicitly supports the New Hope Church in Winnsboro, South Carolina, indicating a specific historical or foundational alignment. The program areas include Education, Health, Human Services, and Religion, demonstrating a broad yet focused approach to community development. The trust's strategic priorities are rooted in localized support, ensuring that grants directly address the needs of the specified South Carolina communities. The trust's theory of change appears to be that by providing financial assistance to established medical, educational, and religious organizations, it can empower these groups to deliver essential services and programs that directly enhance the lives of individuals within its designated geographic focus. The average grant size of $1,000 and total giving of $5,000 per year suggest a commitment to numerous smaller, impactful initiatives rather than large-scale projects, allowing for a broader distribution of support across the target communities. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt and located in South Carolina, ensuring accountability and local impact.

This funding opportunity supports South Carolina nonprofit organizations, colleges, and government units in providing arts education programs for preschool and K-12 students during the summer, enhancing access to quality arts instruction aligned with state educational standards.

Open Granting Community Impact Grants by the Greenwood County Community Foundation are available for a wide range of grant requests that align with the foundation's guidelines. This open category is particularly for programs and projects that do not fit within the other specified categories. Organizations that have not received funding from GCCF in the current calendar year are encouraged to apply, promoting a diverse range of initiatives beneficial to Greenwood County residents. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/ closing deadline: October 1st to October 31st.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for its Southeast Aquatics Fund to voluntarily conserve aquatic habitats in the southeastern United States and Texas. This grant program directly aligns with NFWF's mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, and plants. The fund's priorities are informed by the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, adopted in 2018 and updated in 2023, which aims to conserve the extraordinary biodiversity across the Southeast. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are aquatic ecosystems and the diverse array of species that inhabit them, particularly those identified as focal species in the Conasauga River (GA) and Middle Coosa (AL) watersheds. These include various endemic and native fishes like the Alabama shiner, banded sculpin, blue shiner, and trispot darter. The impact goal is to advance specific goals and objectives of the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan and other relevant conservation plans, ultimately leading to healthier aquatic habitats. The program prioritizes work in northern Alabama and Georgia due to measurement and monitoring constraints, with funding available for a wide range of activities in the Conasauga River (GA) and Locust Fork and Middle Coosa (AL) watersheds. Projects benefiting the focal species in these areas will receive priority. The strategic priorities of the NFWF, as evidenced by the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, emphasize a suite of aquatic species as indicators of healthy aquatic habitats in prioritized watersheds, reflecting a theory of change that by protecting these indicator species, the broader ecosystem health will improve. Expected outcomes include the conservation of aquatic habitat, the advancement of specific goals outlined in the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, and positive impacts on focal species populations. While not explicitly detailed as "measurable results" in the provided text, the focus on indicator species suggests that the health and population trends of these species would serve as key metrics for success. Projects are anticipated to have a completion time of 24–36 months, with grant awards ranging from $150,000 to $500,000 from approximately $8.45 million available in 2024.

The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SSARE) Education Grants program is designed to fund education and outreach activities that benefit the sustainable agriculture community. This grant directly aligns with SSARE's mission to promote efforts in farmer innovations, community resilience, business success, agricultural diversification, and best management practices. The core objective is to support projects that develop sustainable agriculture systems or move existing systems towards sustainability. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are farmers and farming communities, including those involved in indigenous agriculture producing for community food systems. Academic institutions, non-profits, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 1890 land-grant university faculty/extension cooperators, 1862 land-grant universities, other colleges and universities, and government agencies are eligible to apply, acting as facilitators for these educational initiatives. The impact goals are centered on fostering a more sustainable, resilient, and economically viable agricultural sector through knowledge dissemination and practical application. Education Grants prioritize projects that clearly articulate what is being taught, to whom, and how the goals will be accomplished. Focus areas include experiential learning (demonstrations, on-farm tours, field days, workshops), integrative approaches (conferences, seminars, course curriculum), and reinforcement methods (fact sheets, bulletins, videos, online technologies). SSARE also encourages proposals on quality of life topics, such as heirs property, farmers’ markets, food hubs, local/regional processing, and urban agriculture systems, emphasizing the social health of farming systems. Expected outcomes include the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices, enhanced farmer innovation, increased community resilience, improved business success for agricultural enterprises, and greater agricultural diversification. Projects should yield results that are realistic, acceptable to farmers, logical, and capable of leading to tangible actions and benefits described in the proposal. The grant projects are strictly focused on education and outreach, with no research component, and are paid by reimbursement of allowable expenses. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in the grant requirements, which mandate that project outcomes focus on sustainable agriculture systems and clearly demonstrate how education and outreach efforts will be implemented and evaluated. The theory of change underpinning this program is that by providing targeted education and outreach, knowledge and best practices will be transferred to farmers and communities, leading to the development and widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural methods and improved quality of life within farming systems. Project maximums are $50,000, with a duration limited to two years. Applicants from the Southern region, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are eligible. Farmers involved in these projects must have farming/ranching as their primary occupation or part-time farming with at least $1,000 of documented annual income from their operation, with exceptions for indigenous agriculture.

This funding opportunity supports 4K preschool providers in South Carolina to create arts-integrated learning experiences for young students and provide professional development for teachers, particularly in designated counties.