South Carolina Grants

The Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) is offering its 2024 Infrastructure Grant Program, which aligns with its mission to support the viability and sustainability of historically underserved farmers and ranchers. This program aims to foster projects that enhance farm viability, create new markets for local agricultural products and services, develop innovative uses for existing farm infrastructure, add value to farm products through processing, packaging, or marketing, and optimize the use of on-farm and natural resources. Additionally, the grant supports cultural and heritage projects dedicated to preserving and continuing specific agrarian traditions, reflecting RAFI's broader commitment to a resilient and equitable food system. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are historically underserved farmers and ranchers, as defined by NRCS, who are in at least their fourth full growing season and have operated their current farm for at least two years. The program specifically targets "livelihood" farmers and ranchers who depend on agriculture for their financial support or are pursuing a long-term career in farming. Eligibility extends to individual farmer owners/co-owners or farm cooperatives, provided at least 50% of the cooperative members meet the individual eligibility criteria. The grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 and are available to farms located in specific states: AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, or VA. Funding priorities are given to proposals demonstrating a high expected impact on farm viability and sustainability, strong project feasibility, and comprehensive planning, including a clear plan, detailed budget, timeline, and all necessary supporting documentation. RAFI also prioritizes farmers who derive a significant portion of their household income from farm operations, individuals with financial need, or those located in economically disadvantaged areas. Projects that tangibly benefit the surrounding community and farms utilizing agroecological and/or ancestral farming practices are also highly favored, reflecting RAFI's strategic priorities for holistic agricultural development and community engagement. The expected outcomes of the Infrastructure Grant Program include increased farm viability and sustainability for historically underserved farmers, the establishment of new and diversified markets for local products, and the preservation of valuable agricultural traditions. Through these grants, RAFI aims to support projects that lead to concrete improvements in farm infrastructure, expanded income streams for farmers, and a stronger connection between agricultural practices and community well-being. By focusing on these outcomes, RAFI reinforces its theory of change, which posits that targeted financial support and capacity building for underserved farmers will lead to a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable agricultural landscape.

This grant provides funding to states and territories to develop a coordinated early childhood education system that integrates various programs, including Head Start, to improve access and efficiency for families with children from birth to age five.

Project Title: Ecosystem Management Technical Assistance to Promote Carbon Sequestration, Navy Region Southeast A cooperative agreement is being offered ONLY to members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program Region(s) identified above. Award will be made upon mutual agreement and acceptance of the terms and conditions contained in the request for proposal and the of the recipients CESU Master Agreement. Note the established CESU Program indirect rate is 17.5%. Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential organizations for this project. Approximately $1,008,700 is expected to be available to support this project for the base period. Additional funding may be available to the successful recipient for optional tasks and/or follow on work in subsequent years. NOTE: This project will be awarded under the authority of 10 USC 670c-1, Sikes Act: For projects for the implementation and enforcement of integrated natural resources management plans, priority shall be given to award to Federal and State agencies having responsibility for the conservation or management of fish or wildlife. Period of Performance. The base period of agreement will extend 24 months from date of award. There may be up to four 12-month follow-on periods based on availability of funding. Description of Anticipated Work: See attached Statement of Objectives NOTE: At this time we are only requesting that you demonstrate available qualifications and capability for performing similar or same type of work by submitting a Statement of Interest. A full proposal and budget are NOT requested at this time. Submission of Your Statement of InterestStatements of Interest are due by 12:00 P.M., Central Time, on 15 August 2024.Submit your Statement of Interest via e-mail attachments or direct questions to:Sandy JustmanGrants SpecialistUSACE, Fort Worth DistrictEmail: [email protected]: 817-886-1073Kathy S. MitchellProject ManagerUSACE, Fort Worth DistrictEmail: [email protected]: 817-886-1709Review of Statements Received: All statements of interest received from a member of the CESU Region(s) identified above will be evaluated by a board comprised of one or more people at the receiving installation or activity, who will determine which statement(s) best meetthe program objectives: offer the most highly qualified Principal Investigator, have the most relevant experience and the highest capability to successfully meet the program objectives. Submitters whose statements are determined to best meet the program objectives will beinvited to submit a full proposal.Please see the Related Documents Tab for the full RSOI Package Details for submittal and project information.

The City of North Charleston's Accommodations Tax Grants program is designed to allocate revenue generated from the state's 2% lodging tax, specifically for activities that promote and support tourism within the city. These funds are intended to enhance the visitor experience and stimulate economic activity directly related to the tourism sector. The program's mission is inherently aligned with fostering a vibrant tourism economy, ensuring that the tax contributions from visitors are reinvested into services and initiatives that benefit them and the local tourism infrastructure. This strategic allocation of funds reflects a foundational commitment to leveraging tourism as a driver for local development and cultural enrichment. Target beneficiaries of these grants are non-profit organizations operating within or serving the City of North Charleston. These organizations are expected to implement projects and services that directly or indirectly benefit tourists and the broader tourism ecosystem. The impact goals include increasing visitor satisfaction, promoting local arts and cultural events, enhancing public services for tourists, and improving tourism-related infrastructure. By supporting non-profits, the program aims to engage a diverse range of community stakeholders in the collective effort to promote North Charleston as an attractive destination. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly outlined, emphasizing several key areas of tourism-related activity. These include advertising and promotion of tourism, promotion of arts and cultural events, support for facilities that host civic and cultural activities, additional health, safety, and public services for tourists, transportation shuttles, visitor information centers, and waterfront erosion control and repair. These focus areas demonstrate a comprehensive approach to tourism development, addressing both promotional aspects and essential support services and infrastructure. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the expected outcomes are implicitly linked to the stated priorities. For instance, increased advertising and promotion should lead to higher visitor numbers or longer stays, while support for cultural events could result in greater attendance at these events. Improvements in public services and infrastructure are anticipated to enhance the overall visitor experience and satisfaction. The Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee, composed of hospitality industry representatives, plays a crucial role in reviewing applications and making recommendations, suggesting an emphasis on projects with tangible benefits for the tourism sector. The City of North Charleston's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant program, center on the sustainable growth and enhancement of its tourism industry. The underlying theory of change is that by reinvesting lodging tax revenues into targeted tourism-related activities and infrastructure, the city can attract more visitors, provide a better experience for them, and ultimately stimulate local economic growth. This approach involves empowering non-profit organizations to deliver services and programs that align with these goals, thereby creating a collaborative framework for tourism development and community benefit.

The City of Charleston’s Accommodations Tax (A-Tax) Grant Program aims to positively impact tourism within the City of Charleston by funding projects from non-profit organizations. This program is supported by the 2% lodging tax imposed by the State of South Carolina. The program's mission aligns with enhancing the city's appeal as a tourist destination, thereby contributing to the local economy and cultural vibrancy. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are non-profit organizations that can propose projects related to tourism. The ultimate impact goal is to strengthen Charleston's tourism sector by supporting activities and services that attract and cater to visitors. This includes a broad range of initiatives designed to improve the tourist experience and promote the city's unique attractions. The program prioritizes activities directly related to tourism. These include advertising and promotion to draw more visitors, supporting arts and cultural events that showcase the city's heritage, and maintaining facilities crucial for civic and cultural activities. Additionally, the grant focuses on enhancing health, safety, and public services for tourists, providing essential transportation shuttles, and operating visitor information centers. Addressing waterfront erosion control and repair is also a key area of focus, highlighting the program's commitment to preserving the city's natural and historical assets. Expected outcomes include an increase in tourist numbers, greater engagement with local arts and culture, improved public services for visitors, and better-maintained tourist infrastructure. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the focus on "positively impacting tourism" suggests that success would be measured by indicators such as visitor satisfaction, event attendance, and the overall economic contribution of tourism. Personnel costs and items normally provided by the county or municipality are ineligible for funding, ensuring the grants support new or supplementary tourism-focused initiatives.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations seeking to improve their operations, enhance stability, and plan for future growth through critical infrastructure upgrades.

This funding opportunity supports programs that help individuals of all ages achieve their educational goals and develop their physical, emotional, and intellectual potential.

This funding opportunity supports projects that improve the quality of life in Greenwood County through initiatives in arts, community development, parks, recreation, and animal welfare.

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 Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina is offering the Breaking the Cycle Grant Program, which aligns with its mission to create and sustain pathways to economic mobility and self-sufficiency. This program targets organizations that deliver proven initiatives aimed at disrupting the cycle of poverty and fostering long-term, sustainable economic change. The grants are designed to support individuals, families, and communities in achieving greater economic stability and independence. The program's priorities and focus areas include supporting comprehensive, multi-layered programming that addresses poverty through integrated services and two-generation approaches. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a deep understanding of the complex issues surrounding poverty in their communities, reflecting this understanding in their values, practices, and programming. The foundation emphasizes supporting initiatives that are informed by research, utilizing both internal long-term data and emerging best practice models. Expected outcomes and measurable results for grant recipients include clear short-term and long-term goals, distinct indicators for success, and the ability to demonstrate participants' progression out of poverty. Organizations are expected to carry out effective, ongoing program evaluation and adapt their strategies based on lessons learned and participant feedback. This commitment to continuous improvement ensures that programs remain effective and responsive to the needs of those they serve. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are centered on fostering economic mobility through collaborative and evidence-based approaches. They seek organizations that not only implement effective programs but also demonstrate effective formal and informal partnerships with other organizations. While the grant duration is not explicitly mentioned, the funding information indicates grants typically range from $15,000 to $20,000 within a broader possible range of $10,000 to $100,000, underscoring a commitment to significant, impactful investments in breaking the cycle of poverty across all counties in South Carolina.

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.

The 2025 Community Grants program, offered by the Community Foundation for the CSRA, invites applications from organizations dedicated to serving individuals in specific counties of Georgia and South Carolina. This program directly aligns with the Foundation's mission to support various community needs, encompassing arts/culture/history, education/youth enrichment, health/environmental, and people in need. The Foundation seeks to foster innovative and high-quality programs that deliver positive, tangible impacts within these strategic areas, ultimately aiming for community betterment and individual empowerment. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are individuals residing in Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina, and Burke, Columbia, Richmond, and McDuffie counties in Georgia. The Foundation aims to achieve significant impact goals, such as enhancing cultural and historical engagement, providing educational and enrichment opportunities for disadvantaged children, youth, and adults, improving health and environmental outcomes, and offering essential human services to vulnerable populations. Through these grants, the Foundation intends to address critical community challenges and improve the quality of life for residents in its service area. The program prioritizes several key areas. In arts, culture, and history, it encourages innovative and high-quality initiatives. For education and youth enrichment, the focus is on programs that provide educational opportunities and skills training for disadvantaged individuals, including job skill training, after-school programs, leadership development, tutoring, GED, and literacy initiatives. Within health and environmental, the Foundation supports areas such as environmental research, animal services, sustainable gardens, medical clinics, drug rehabilitation, and programs for individuals with disabilities and mental illness. Finally, the "People in Need" category broadly supports human service programs, including those addressing hunger, housing insecurity, financial assistance, homelessness, and re-entry programs for recently incarcerated individuals. The expected outcomes of the Community Grants program include a measurable increase in access to educational resources, improved health indicators, enhanced cultural participation, and greater support for vulnerable populations. For instance, educational programs are expected to lead to improved literacy rates or job placement success. Health initiatives anticipate better access to medical services or environmental conservation efforts. Programs for people in need are expected to provide stable housing, food security, or financial independence. The Foundation's theory of change posits that by investing in these critical areas through local organizations, it can foster a stronger, more resilient, and equitable community for all residents within its geographic focus. Requests for funding should not exceed $15,000 to maximize the reach of the grants.

The MetLife Foundation is offering the Community Impact Grant Program, designed to bolster local grassroots organizations actively addressing the urgent needs of low-income individuals and communities heavily affected by the widening income and wealth gap. This grant program is deeply aligned with the Foundation’s overarching mission to drive inclusive economic mobility. By supporting organizations on the front lines, the program directly contributes to the Foundation's strategic priority of fostering equitable opportunities and outcomes for those most vulnerable to economic disparities. The primary beneficiaries of this program are people with low incomes and communities significantly impacted by the growing income and wealth divide. The program's core impact goal is to provide essential support and resources to these populations, helping to alleviate immediate emergencies and build long-term resilience. Through programmatic support, the Foundation aims to empower grassroots organizations to create tangible improvements in the lives of individuals and the well-being of their communities. The Community Impact Grant Program focuses on several key areas: Hunger Relief and Nutrition, Physical and Mental Well-Being, Environmental Sustainability, and Quality of Life. These focus areas reflect the Foundation's comprehensive approach to promoting holistic community health and stability. Organizations are encouraged to submit proposals that align with these areas, ensuring that the grant funding addresses critical needs and contributes to the overall theory of change, which posits that by investing in these fundamental aspects, communities can achieve greater economic mobility and improved quality of life. Expected outcomes include improved access to vital resources for low-income individuals, enhanced community well-being across the specified focus areas, and a strengthening of local non-profit infrastructures. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the grants, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, are intended to facilitate impactful programming that addresses emergency needs and contributes to sustainable community development. The program encourages applications from organizations with authentic relationships with low-income populations, suggesting a commitment to community-led solutions and a desire for meaningful, localized impact.

The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production in the United States and its territories. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers, into government technical manuals and guides, or to the private sector. CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research. On-farm conservation research is defined as an investigation conducted to answer a specific applied conservation question using a statistically valid design while employing farm-scale equipment on farms, ranches or private forest lands. The CIG program is not a NRCS producer financial assistance program. Project outcomes should benefit a region of a state or the entire state and not just benefit one farm. NRCS will prioritize projects that will implement climate-smart agriculture conservation activities which are targeted to assist agricultural producers and nonindustrial private forestland owners in directly improving soil carbon, reducing nitrogen losses, or reducing, capturing, avoiding, or sequestering carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide emissions, associated with agricultural production. All CIG projects must involve EQIP-eligible producers that meet EQIPs eligibility requirements listed in 7 CFR 1466.6(b)(1) through (3).

This program provides financial support to rural nonprofit and governmental organizations in select Southern states for presenting touring artists across various disciplines, including film, performing arts, and visual arts.

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.

The Portland Foundation's Teacher Creativity Mini-Grants aim to support enriching learning experiences for students that fall outside typical school budgets. These grants are specifically designed to empower teachers by covering costs for innovative educational endeavors, thereby aligning with the Foundation's broader mission of fostering educational excellence and student development within the community. The program seeks to bridge funding gaps, ensuring that students have access to creative and impactful educational opportunities. The primary beneficiaries of these mini-grants are K-12 students in all counties of Indiana, whose teachers propose unique and engaging projects. The immediate impact goal is to enhance the educational experiences of these students by providing resources for class projects, programs, music or art instruction, speakers, and specialized educational materials. The ultimate goal is to spark creativity, broaden horizons, and provide learning experiences that might otherwise be unavailable due to financial constraints. The Foundation prioritizes creative and innovative projects. While the grants are generally not intended for ongoing projects, those previously funded through this program, or materials that could reasonably be expected in school budgets, exceptions can be made at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. This flexibility allows for support of truly exceptional proposals that demonstrate a significant potential for student engagement and learning. The focus is on projects that introduce new concepts or approaches, offering a fresh perspective to students' education. Expected outcomes include a more diverse and enriched learning environment for students, increased teacher autonomy in developing unique educational initiatives, and the successful implementation of creative projects that inspire and educate. Measurable results would be evidenced by the number of students reached, the variety of projects supported, and qualitative feedback on the impact of these experiences on student learning and engagement. The Foundation's strategic priority is to invest in education, and its theory of change posits that by empowering teachers with mini-grants for creative projects, they can directly foster student growth and innovation, contributing to a more vibrant and well-rounded educational landscape.

This program provides financial assistance to business owners and tenants in Newberry's historic downtown to improve the appearance of their building facades, promoting preservation and aesthetic enhancement.

The Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative aims to strengthen regional economies by investing in energy resilience through research and planning grants, and implementation grants. The initiative focuses on establishing a regional energy hub for natural gas and natural gas liquids, including hydrogen production. Eligible applicants include local development districts, Indian Tribes, states, counties, cities, and higher education institutions, among others. The total funding available is $5 million, with a grant proposal due by July 24, 2024.