South Carolina Grants

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.

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.