South Carolina Grants

This program provides free training and funding opportunities to nonprofit organizations in the Appalachian region, helping them build capacity to better address community challenges and improve their operational effectiveness.

READY Community Foundations, part of ARC's READY Appalachia initiative, offers no-cost training to community foundations in Appalachia. Participants will build skills in financial management, fundraising, grantmaking, and strategic planning. Eligible foundations can apply for up to $25,000 in funding to implement capacity-building projects post-training. Applications are due by July 5, 2024.

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 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.

The Josephine Moffatt Stevenson Community Charitable Trust offers grants to promote charitable activities in South Carolina, specifically supporting medical, educational, and religious organizations. This aligns with the foundation's mission to enhance community well-being through strategic funding in key areas. The trust prioritizes organizations located in Abbeville County, Anderson County, and the Due West community, demonstrating a focused approach to local impact. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations providing medical, educational, and religious services within South Carolina, with a particular emphasis on the specified counties. The impact goals include strengthening these sectors, fostering community development, and improving the quality of life for residents in these areas. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the average grant size of $1,000-$7,000 and average total giving of $50,000 per year indicate a commitment to consistent, albeit localized, support. The trust's grantmaking priorities clearly focus on geographic limitations and organizational type. Grants are restricted to South Carolina, with a strong preference for Abbeville County, Anderson County, and the Due West community. Furthermore, only organizations qualifying as 501(c)(3) exempt organizations that are medical, educational, or religious are eligible. This structured approach ensures that funding is directed towards areas and services most aligned with the trust's foundational objectives. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change appear to center on the belief that by investing in established community organizations within critical sectors (education, health, religion, and human services), they can achieve positive and lasting change at a local level. By supporting 501(c)(3) compliant entities, the trust ensures that its contributions go to legitimate and impactful organizations. The online application process also suggests a commitment to accessibility for potential grantees.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Greenville County, South Carolina, focusing on animal welfare, human services, and programs for veterans.

The Community Foundation of Greenville welcomes grant requests from established 501(c)(3) tax-exempt agencies that have been operating for two or more years. These agencies must be located within and offer services to the residents of Greenville County, South Carolina. The foundation's mission aligns with supporting the capacity building of these local non-profit organizations to better serve the community. The target beneficiaries are the residents of Greenville County, South Carolina, who receive services from the eligible non-profit agencies. The impact goals are centered around improving the effectiveness and sustainability of these organizations, thereby enhancing their ability to address community needs. The foundation prioritizes projects that strengthen an organization's internal operations and external reach. The grant focuses on Capacity Building funding opportunities. This includes projects designed to improve an organization’s ability to monitor and respond to client and supporter needs, adopt management innovation, enhance process improvement and accountability, and form collaborative ventures. It also supports technology audits, analyses of information management systems, and the purchase of necessary equipment to achieve the organization's mission, as well as efforts to diversify revenue streams. Examples of Capacity Building efforts include organizational assessment, strategic and long-range planning, program evaluation and planning, developing marketing plans, mergers/collaboration, and feasibility studies. The expected outcomes are stronger, more efficient, and more impactful non-profit organizations within Greenville County. Measurable results would likely include improved service delivery, increased organizational efficiency, enhanced program effectiveness, and greater financial stability for the recipient agencies. The foundation's strategic priority is to invest in the infrastructure and capabilities of local non-profits, with a theory of change that by strengthening these organizations, they can more effectively achieve their individual missions and collectively improve the quality of life for Greenville County residents. The grant award budget for capacity building initiatives is $100,000, with individual awards typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. This funding is intended to provide critical support for the strategic growth and development of eligible organizations.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Central Savannah River Area that focus on arts education and performance, particularly in music, dance, and ballet.

The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is offering Heal Mini-Grants, a funding opportunity designed to support healthy eating or active living projects. These grants specifically target policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change in community health. The foundation's mission, as evidenced by its past award to Wholespire, is to promote the health of South Carolina’s economically challenged population. The Heal Mini-Grants align with this mission by creating opportunities for equitable access to healthy food and safe places for physical activity, recognizing that individual choices are influenced by available options. The target beneficiaries include community members, students, employees, and devout individuals who will benefit from increased opportunities to make healthy choices and engage in physical activity. The impact goals are to foster healthier communities by addressing systemic barriers to well-being. This is achieved by supporting projects that either serve as seed money for new initiatives, help progress existing ones, or provide the final push to complete ongoing projects, all within a 9-month grant period. The program's priorities and focus areas are exclusively related to healthy eating and/or active living, with a strong emphasis on implementing or supporting PSE change projects. Examples of funded projects include establishing or promoting SNAP/Healthy Bucks at farmers' markets, creating sustainable food-gleaning stations, installing water bottle refill stations, improving playgrounds, supporting active communities with bike racks and crosswalks, and enhancing community trails with signage and amenities. These examples highlight the commitment to creating environments that naturally encourage healthier lifestyles. Expected outcomes include increased access to healthy food options and greater opportunities for physical activity within communities. Measurable results would stem from the implementation of tangible PSE changes, such as the establishment of new programs, improvements to existing infrastructure, or the adoption of supportive policies. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly centered on community health improvement through practical, environmental interventions. Their theory of change appears to be that by altering the policy, systems, and environmental landscape, individuals will naturally be empowered to make healthier choices, leading to a more active and well-nourished population.

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 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 supports Southern nonprofit organizations and government entities in enhancing their artistic programming and professional development through travel and training opportunities.

The Nahikian Family Foundation provides grant funding to support initiatives that promote mental health, healing, and independent living. Its mission centers on enhancing quality of life through programs that foster emotional well-being, physical recovery, and humane connections between people and animals. The foundation supports work in the areas of **environment and animals**, **health**, and **human services**, with a particular interest in projects that tangibly improve the lives of vulnerable or underserved populations. While the foundation accepts proposals from across the United States, it places strong geographic emphasis on **Alabama, Florida, Michigan, and South Carolina**—the home states of Nahikian family members. Within these regions, preference is often given to **capital projects**, such as facility improvements or expansions that enhance an organization’s capacity to deliver direct services. Funding decisions prioritize projects that embody compassion, sustainability, and practical impact, aligning with the foundation’s focus on long-term community well-being. The foundation supports a range of beneficiaries, including **children, service and assistance dogs, and companion animals**. This reflects its holistic approach to healing and independence—recognizing the vital role animals can play in emotional recovery and in improving the quality of life for individuals facing physical or mental health challenges. Programs that link therapeutic interventions with animal care or environmental stewardship are especially well-aligned with the foundation’s interests. To be eligible, applicants must be **IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations**. All applications must be submitted through the foundation’s **online grant application portal**, though an alternative accessible version is available for users requiring assistive technology. The foundation’s process emphasizes accessibility and inclusion, ensuring all qualified applicants have the opportunity to apply. Though specific grant sizes and durations are not published, the Nahikian Family Foundation typically prioritizes projects with clear, measurable outcomes and a strong potential for lasting benefit. Through its giving, the foundation continues to advance its vision of communities where individuals—human and animal alike—can heal, grow, and thrive with dignity and independence.

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.

This grant provides funding to local educational agencies and organizations to improve educational opportunities and support services for migratory children and youth affected by seasonal agricultural or fishing work in South Carolina.

This grant provides financial support to Title I and Priority schools in South Carolina to develop and enhance arts education programs in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts, aiming to improve student engagement and performance.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local educational agencies and nonprofit organizations in South Carolina to deliver comprehensive educational programs and services for migratory children and youth, helping them overcome unique challenges and achieve academic success.

The CATALYST Grant aims to enhance the capabilities, efficiency, and competitiveness of small and medium-sized manufacturers in South Carolina by promoting the adoption of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), Quality Management Systems (QMSs), and Lean Manufacturing tools. Eligible manufacturers must have a NAICS code beginning with 31, 32, or 33, be physically located in South Carolina for at least one year, operate within the Department of Defense supply chain, and employ at least four workers. The grant supports consultative assessments to identify opportunities for AMT deployment and funds pilot projects in areas such as augmented reality training, digital work instructions, and robotics. The grant application opens on October 5, 2023, following an informational webinar, and closes on June 30, 2024, or when all slots are filled. The grant provides funding for projects recommended by AMT assessments, as well as QMS and Lean Manufacturing implementations to help manufacturers eliminate waste and reduce rework, improving their effectiveness as DIB suppliers.

Women in Philanthropy (WiP) is the Giving Circle Fund of the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation, offering an annual grant opportunity to nonprofit organizations. This program directly aligns with the foundation's broader mission by empowering WiP to support initiatives that improve lives across specific communities. The grants are designed to address critical needs within the foundation's service area, which includes Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, Marlboro, and Williamsburg counties in South Carolina. The grant program targets organizations focused on improving lives by addressing health, nutrition, and prevention/care needs for victims of violence, neglect, and poverty. The primary beneficiaries are individuals and families residing in the specified counties who are experiencing these challenges. The overarching impact goal is to foster healthier, more secure, and stable communities by supporting the essential work of local nonprofits dedicated to these causes. The program's priorities are clearly defined, centering on health, nutrition, and support for vulnerable populations. This includes preventing and caring for victims of violence, neglect, and poverty. The focus areas are integral to the foundation's strategic priorities, likely stemming from a theory of change that posits that by investing in these areas, systemic improvements in community well-being can be achieved. The grants are intended to be a catalyst for positive change in the lives of those most in need. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in the health and nutritional status of beneficiaries, increased access to preventative care, and enhanced support systems for victims of violence, neglect, and poverty. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided text, the requirement for grants to be utilized fully within one year suggests an emphasis on timely and impactful implementation. The maximum grant amount of $7,000 per grant further indicates a focus on supporting a range of projects that can demonstrate clear, achievable results within a defined timeframe, contributing to the foundation's overall strategic objectives.

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.