South Carolina Infrastructure Grants

This program provides funding to local governments and special purpose districts in South Carolina for permanent improvements to public parks and recreational facilities, requiring community and legislative support.

This funding opportunity supports innovative and impactful projects by nonprofit organizations in South Carolina that address community needs in health, education, social services, and cultural affairs.

This funding initiative provides financial support to local communities in the Appalachian Region for projects that enhance critical infrastructure and promote business and workforce development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and city departments that promote tourism and enhance visitor experiences in Isle of Palms, with a focus on projects that attract overnight stays and benefit the local economy.

This funding opportunity is designed to strengthen research capabilities in eligible jurisdictions by supporting collaborations among academic institutions, government agencies, and private industry to develop sustainable research infrastructure.

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.

The Charleston County Community Development Program has announced the opening of the application period for the 2025-2026 Urban Entitlement Funding Request for Applications (RFA). This program supports projects that align with the goals of the county's Consolidated Plan for Program Years 2021–2025. Applicants must clearly identify which goal their project addresses and include measurable outputs. Additionally, applications should specify whether the funding request is for Charleston County, the City of North Charleston, or both jurisdictions. The application window runs from November 25, 2024, at 4:00 PM EST to January 6, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST. Funding is available through several programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), and Emergency Solutions Grant (HESG). Each program has specific requirements, and applicants must submit all documents electronically via the Urban Entitlement Application in Neighborly. Signed forms must include an authorized representative’s signature. HESG applicants must also obtain an endorsement letter from the Lowcountry Continuum of Care, with requests due by December 13, 2024, at 12:00 PM EST. The required documents vary by program and include forms such as the Application Certification, Financial Statement Form, and budget templates specific to each grant type. Additional details can be found in Section 5 of the RFA Instructions. Workshops will be held to assist applicants on December 3, 2024, at City Hall in North Charleston and December 5, 2024, at the Charleston County Council Chambers. These sessions provide an opportunity to learn more about the application process and ask questions. Applicants may also submit written questions about the RFA process to Community Development staff by December 13, 2024, at 5:00 PM EST. Answers will be posted in an addendum on December 20, 2024. Town hall meetings will be hosted in participating jurisdictions to discuss program funding and gather community input, with meetings scheduled throughout November and December 2024. Projects must align with the Consolidated Plan's goals and provide measurable results. All applications and supporting materials must be submitted by the January 6, 2025, deadline through the designated portal. Late submissions will not be accepted. For additional information or support, applicants can email [email protected] or call (843) 202-6960.

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.

Anderson Water Council is now accepting applications from the plaintiffs for the protection and remediation of Anderson County water resources. Donor Name: Anderson Water Council State: Georgia, South Carolina County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/29/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The Anderson County Watershed Protection Council is to assist Savannah Riverkeeper and Upstate Forever in identifying, prioritizing, and funding projects that empower citizens to take action on existing and emerging threats to water resources and to restore water quality in the Savannah River watershed’s impacted areas. The Water Council is particularly interested in funding projects that empower local communities to collect and share water quality data publicly Funding Information Average individual grant awards range between $10,000 to $50,000 for citizen empowerment and education projects, and up to $100,000 for water restoration projects, with occasional opportunities for multi-year awards, when necessary, not to exceed three (3) years. Eligibility Criteria  Entities eligible for grant funding include:  A not-for-profit charitable corporation or trust authorized to do business in South Carolina or Georgia  whose mission aligns with the goals of the Anderson Water Council. The Georgia and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources; Forestry Commissions; Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. Educators, municipalities, and school systems in the impacted areas. Any agency, commission, or instrumentality of such a municipality. For more information, visit AWC.

Calling local organizations in Conway, SC! The City of Conway Economic Development Grant Program for 2024-2025 is now open for applications! Donor Name: City of Conway State: South Carolina City: Conway Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/06/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Are you passionate about driving economic growth in the community? This is your chance to make a difference! The grant program aims to support projects and activities that enhance Conway’s quality of life and stimulate economic activity. Let’s work together to make Conway thrive! Permissible Use of Funds Economic development programs (small business incubators, activities to expand or recruit new businesses, etc.) Economic development staff, including all salaries and benefits Special events in the City of Conway including festivals, parades, conferences, conventions, sporting events, arts/cultural events, etc. Travel for the purpose of recruiting business. Eligible Applicants Charities, nonprofits, chambers of commerce, and similar organizations within Conway, SC, are encouraged to apply. Ineligibility  Please note that funds cannot be used for: Travel for training purposes Development of industrial parks -Incentives to private industry -Religious programs -Public infrastructure Political campaigns or activities to support political campaigns, or to lobby for or against a particular piece of legislation. For more information, visit City of Conway.

The City of Charleston is inviting applicants for its Accommodations Tax Grant Program. Donor Name: City of Charleston State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/22/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The City of Charleston’s Accommodations Tax (A-Tax) Grant Program is funded by the 2% lodging tax imposed by the State of South Carolina. A-Tax grants are awarded to non-profit organizations that propose projects that will positively impact tourism within the City of Charleston. The A-Tax Grant Advisory Committee, mandated by the State, reviews applications for funding and makes recommendations to City Council for final approval. Eligible Activities  Eligible A-Tax grant activities must be related to tourism such as: advertising and promotion, supporting arts and cultural events, maintaining facilities for civic and cultural activities, enhancing health, safety, and public services for tourists, providing transportation shuttles, operating visitor information centers, and addressing waterfront erosion control and repair. Personnel costs are ineligible. Funding is ineligible for an item that would normally be provided by the county or municipality. For more information, visit City of Charleston.

This program provides funding for events and projects that promote tourism in Mauldin, helping to attract visitors and boost the local economy.

Applicants are invited to apply for the 2025 Community Grants. Donor Name: Community Foundation for the CSRA State: Georgia, South Carolina County: Aiken County (SC), Burke County (GA), Columbia County (GA), Edgefield County (SC), McDuffie County (GA), Richmond County (GA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Community Foundation for the CSRA only considers applications from organizations providing programs and services directly benefiting individuals living in Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina, and Burke, Columbia, Richmond and McDuffie counties in Georgia. Arts/Culture/History Recognizing the positive impact arts, cultural and historical organizations have on a community, they welcome innovative and high-quality applications in this area. Education/Youth Enrichment The foundation welcomes applications from organizations that provide enrichment and educational opportunities to disadvantaged children, youth and adults. Examples include: job skill training and/or placement, after school or summer programs, leadership, tutoring, GED and literacy programs. Health/Environmental Some examples of programs in this funding area include: environmental research or management, animal services, programs that support sustainable community and backyard gardens, medical clinics, drug rehabilitation programs, medical programs for persons with disabilities, and mental illness. People in Need This category is generally, but not exclusively for human service programs that work with people in need. Examples include feeding, housing, financial assistance, programs serving the homelessness, and programs for recently incarcerated individuals. Funding Information Requests not exceed $15,000.  Eligibility Criteria The foundation consider grant applications from organizations that: Are determined as charitable under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, public entities or other charitable, educational or cultural organizations. For more information, visit CFCSRA.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and destination marketing groups in Fairfield County, South Carolina, to develop projects that attract tourists and boost the local economy through targeted advertising and enhanced recreational and cultural experiences.

The South Carolina Arts Commission is offering the ArtsNOW Schools Advancement Grants of $10,000 to $100,000 over three years to ArtsNOW Partner Schools in South Carolina, to support arts integration, professional learning, curriculum mapping, and planning through innovative practices.

The City of North Charleston is seeking applications for its Accommodations Tax Grants. Donor Name: City of North Charleston State: South Carolina City: North Charleston Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Accommodations Tax Grants are provided through revenue received by the City for its share of the 2% lodging tax levied by the State of South Carolina. These monies can only be used for activities related to tourism, including: advertising and promotion of tourism promotion of the arts and cultural events support for facilities where civic and cultural activities take place additional health, safety and public services for tourists transportation shuttles visitor information centers waterfront erosion control and repair Criteria The funds are awarded to non‐profit organizations. An Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee, mandated by the State and composed of seven representatives of the hospitality industry, reviews applications for funding and makes recommendations to City Council for the award of these funds. For more information, visit City of North Charleston.

The Greenville Zoo Conservation Grants support and promote conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all living things. Donor Name: Greenville Zoo State: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/21/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Foundation have many values that support the mission, including promoting conservation and sustainability, actively seeking knowledge through science, and collaborating with others to maximize the impact and achieve greater goals. In fulfillment of the mission, the Greenville Zoo has established a fund for local conservation projects (those occurring in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia) as well as national and international projects by utilizing funds from the “Quarters for Conservation” program.  Conservation grants are awarded to projects that focus on Field Conservation (the conservation of free-ranging wildlife or habitat), Conservation Research, or Conservation Education. Local projects receive preferred funding priority. Projects including species and habitats at risk will be receive greater weight in application review. Grant Categories Conservation Research   – Projects that involve the scientific method with a primary focus on studying questions relevant to free-ranging wildlife or habitat conservation (i.e., hypothesis or question-driven, with systematic data collection and analysis with conclusions that can be applied to conservation efforts). Examples include health/physiologic assessment of a species, collection of environmental data such as water quality, etc.) Conservation Education – Projects that raise public awareness and appreciation of wildlife conservation issues, stimulate conservation action, transfer skills and technology, and/or empower new conservation leaders, particularly those locally-based (e.g. create/print instructional materials, formal or informal education classes or curricula, capacity-building efforts, etc.) Field Conservation – Projects that directly and actively contribute to the long-term survival of species in natural ecosystems and habitats. These projects can either impact wildlife directly or the habitats within which they live (e.g. population management, breeding and reintroduction programs, human-wildlife conflict, restoration or maintenance of a natural area, reforestation/ tree-planting, field studies of free-ranging species, etc.). Certain ex-situ efforts that provide a positive impact on imperiled species and their sustainability may be eligible for this category. Funding Information New Grants Program: $300 to $1,500 Awarded to applicants whose projects they have never supported before Grant request cannot exceed $1,500 Continuing Grants Program: Up to $3,500 For applicants with whom the Greenville Zoo has an established relationship. An established relationship includes those applicants who have received funding from us in the past. (e.g., applicants who have received grant funding from us previously and have successfully fulfilled the requirements of the grant awardee, including providing regular updates on project progress). Application Requirements  Application package should include: Completed application. If available, a full proposal is encouraged to be attached for reference, but all questions in the body of the application still need to be fully answered. Answers of “See attached” or similar will cause the application to not be considered. A detailed budget (estimates are acceptable). If there is a particular line item(s) that you would like funded by this grant, please specify. Three photos, diagrams, or other images with captions related to the proposed conservation project. List a minimum of three professional references with contact information and affiliations. Letter(s) of reference can also be provided.  At least one letter of support or collaboration is required. These should originate from an academic institution with which the applicant is working (e.g. thesis project) or from an agency and/or range country within which the project is being held to indicate collaboration and/or permission for its implementation there. Applicant’s Curriculum Vitae (CV) and those of the principal investigator(s) if different than applicant If applicable: A map of the research or conservation site. If applicable (i.e., the project involves manipulation and/or handling of live animals): Please include a copy of your institution’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Policy (IACUC), your project’s IACUC submission and approval along with the full project design or proposal. Optional: Additional articles, cited literature references, and other documents that assist in project justification or description can strengthen the application. Additional details regarding your project may be requested by the Conservation and Research Committee before a decision is made. For more information, visit Greenville Zoo.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to states and U.S. territories with high seismic risk to improve earthquake safety through mitigation, preparedness, and educational initiatives.

The Gambrill Foundation supports a variety of charitable causes with a primary focus on organizations that uplift and positively impact the residents of the Anderson County, South Carolina area. Donor Name: Gambrill Foundation State: South Carolina County: Anderson County (SC) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Gambrill Foundation awards grants to organizations for religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Program Areas Arts, culture, and humanities Education Environment, animals Health Human services Public/society benefit Religion Grantmaking Priorities Grants to charitable organizations will be made at the sole and unrestricted discretion of the individual Co-Trustees. Generally, grants are designated for use within the Anderson County, South Carolina area or to support activities within the Anderson County area. Preference will be given to libraries, churches, universities, and colleges. Grants for capital or special purposes will be preferred over grants for general or operational use. Priority will be given to grants that will be “matched” by funds from other sources. Funding Information Average grant size: $5,000 to $15,000. Average total giving per year: $175,000. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible, organizations must qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The programs and services of the applicant must be consistent with the Foundation’s mission and values. The benefits of the grant must have a measurable impact within the Anderson County, South Carolina area and must benefit a substantial number of residents. All applicants must have the financial ability to sustain the funded program or project on a continuing basis. Applications must be submitted through the online grant application form or alternative accessible application designed for assistive technology users. If available, applicants must provide an audited financial statement for the most recent complete fiscal year. The audited financial statement must be uploaded within the online grant application form. For more information, visit Wells Fargo.

This funding opportunity provides up to $5,000 to South Carolina law enforcement and code enforcement agencies to improve litter prevention and enforcement efforts.