South Carolina Law Justice and Legal Services Grants

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Tri-County area of South Carolina to strengthen their internal operations and enhance their capacity to serve the community effectively.

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 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.

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 Beaufort County Accommodations Tax Board is offering grants from its two percent (2%) state accommodations tax fund. This program aims to financially support and promote tourism, as well as fund tourism-related activities within municipalities and counties in South Carolina. The underlying mission is to leverage a dedicated tax revenue stream—generated from transient accommodations like hotels, motels, inns, and vacation rentals—to enhance the visitor experience and strengthen the local tourism economy. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations within Beaufort County. These organizations are expected to implement projects and initiatives that align with the board's objective of promoting tourism. The impact goals are centered on increasing tourism activity, improving tourism infrastructure, and creating a more attractive environment for visitors, thereby contributing to the economic well-being of the county. The primary focus of these grants is to fund tourism-related activities. This includes, but is not limited to, initiatives that market the county as a tourist destination, develop and maintain attractions, and support events that draw visitors. The strategic priority is to maximize the impact of the accommodations tax by investing in projects that have a demonstrable connection to tourism promotion and development, aligning with the state law's intent for the 2% tax levy. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in visitor numbers, enhanced quality of tourism offerings, and a stronger tourism-dependent economy in Beaufort County. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the implicit theory of change is that by strategically allocating funds derived from the accommodations tax, the county can stimulate tourism growth, leading to broader economic benefits. The eligibility criteria state that Non-Profit Organizations are eligible to apply for these grants, emphasizing a focus on community-driven initiatives.

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

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 Opportunity Grants by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, offering up to $10,000 for a 12-month period, are designed to stimulate and support new or existing programs, projects, or capital investments of nonprofit organizations serving Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper Counties in South Carolina, excluding general operating support, religious, political activities, and scholarships among others.

This funding program provides financial support to community-based organizations that empower youth aged 12 to 20 through established, youth-led urban greening initiatives focused on social and environmental justice in select states.

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

The Animal Services Responsive Grant, offered by the San Antonio Area Foundation, aims to improve the quality of life for all animals, educate the community on responsible pet care, and enhance spay/neuter and adoption services. This aligns with the foundation's broader mission to support vital community needs, ensuring that organizations dedicated to animal welfare receive the necessary funding to operate and expand their reach. By focusing on these key areas, the grant seeks to create a more humane environment for animals and foster responsible pet ownership within the community. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are animals in need, as well as the communities and individuals who benefit from enhanced animal welfare services. The grant targets organizations working in specific Texas counties: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina, and Wilson. The impact goals are centered on reducing animal suffering, increasing pet adoptions, promoting spay/neuter initiatives to control pet overpopulation, and educating the public on best practices for animal care. The grant prioritizes nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a clear commitment to these objectives and have a proven track record of serving their local animal populations. The program's priorities include supporting direct animal care services, public education campaigns, and programs that facilitate adoption and spay/neuter. The expected outcomes are a measurable reduction in the number of homeless and neglected animals, an increase in responsible pet ownership, and a more informed community regarding animal welfare issues. Measurable results are tied to the organizational budget and corresponding award amounts, indicating that larger, more established organizations with greater capacity are expected to achieve more significant outcomes. For instance, organizations with budgets over $1,000,000 are eligible for a $50,000 award, implying an expectation of broader impact. The San Antonio Area Foundation's strategic priorities, as demonstrated by this grant, include fostering community well-being through targeted support for critical services. Their theory of change appears to be that by providing financial resources to qualified animal welfare organizations, these organizations will be empowered to implement effective programs that directly address the root causes of animal neglect and overpopulation, ultimately leading to a healthier and more compassionate community for both humans and animals. The eligibility criteria, such as requiring 501(c)(3) status and local operation, ensure that funding is directed to legitimate and impactful entities. This grant does not support endowments, capital campaigns, religious purposes, scholarships, political activities, or lobbying efforts. This restriction further refines the foundation's strategic focus, ensuring that funds are directly applied to programmatic efforts that align with the core goals of animal services. The focus is strictly on responsive grants that address immediate and ongoing needs, rather than long-term institutional building or advocacy.

The **Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina** offers **Immediate Needs Grants** to support organizations that address the most pressing and basic needs of individuals and families experiencing poverty across South Carolina. These grants are intended to help nonprofits provide direct services and essential resources that contribute to stability, dignity, and improved quality of life. By funding programs that deliver immediate relief and empower long-term self-sufficiency, the foundation continues its mission of reducing poverty and fostering compassion-driven community change throughout the state. Grants in this category are awarded to organizations delivering programs that meet needs related to **life and health**, **education and skills**, and **access and participation**. Examples of eligible initiatives include programs offering food assistance, mental health support, healthcare access, housing, literacy education, vocational training, affordable childcare, or transportation services. Each grant provides **$5,000** in funding, and **Cycle II Immediate Needs Grants** specifically target organizations with annual operating budgets of **$500,000 or more**, ensuring that established service providers have resources to meet urgent community challenges. The foundation evaluates applicants based on their demonstrated impact, community engagement, and accountability. Eligible organizations must identify and fill gaps in local resources, gather and apply participant feedback, and define clear measures of program success. Funded programs must have a direct and immediate effect on people’s daily lives, improving access to essential services and strengthening participants’ ability to thrive despite economic hardship. The grants aim to support both the continuity and expansion of programs that have proven effectiveness in addressing the complex realities of poverty. Eligibility is limited to organizations operating **within South Carolina** that have been established for at least one year. The foundation does not fund individuals, capital campaigns, scholarships, or organizations whose missions do not directly address poverty. Instead, it focuses on nonprofits that demonstrate strong community relationships, responsiveness to local needs, and an ability to deliver measurable outcomes tied to human well-being. Through the Immediate Needs Grant program, the Sisters of Charity Foundation reaffirms its enduring commitment to serving South Carolinians with compassion and equity. By supporting programs that meet basic needs while fostering education, access, and health, the foundation works toward its broader vision—a South Carolina where all individuals have the opportunity to live with dignity, security, and hope.

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to emerging artists in South Carolina to help them develop their artistic practice and advance their careers.

This grant provides financial support to Black entrepreneurs who are positively impacting their communities, helping them grow and sustain their businesses.

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.