Best Grants for Seniors in South Carolina

Senior services organizations in South Carolina seeking capital funding for multipurpose senior centers can apply for the Senior Center Permanent Improvement Project Grant, with awards up to US $350,000. Grants from South Carolina Department on Aging support facility improvements that help centers serve as community focal points for older adults and aging-related services.

Public and nonprofit local agencies in South Carolina can receive support to provide USDA commodity food packages to low-income seniors through the South Carolina Commodity Supplemental Food Program. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture supplies food and administrative funds so agencies can distribute groceries, offer nutrition education, and connect older adults to other health and welfare services.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities providing senior services and related human services in South Carolina can seek funding to expand programs, improve care, or strengthen operations. With a mission to create pathways to self-sufficiency and permanent change, Leon Levine Foundation provides Carolinas organizations with support across healthcare, basic needs, and aging-related services.

Nonprofits, congregations, and other tax-exempt organizations serving Jewish seniors in South Carolina and North Carolina can apply for Carolina Foundation for Jewish Seniors grants, with awards up to US $50,000 for direct services and programs. Funding may support case management, food distribution, transportation, dementia support, respite care, and other innovative senior services grounded in Jewish values.

Health care leaders working on age-friendly care for older adults can receive scholarships to join the AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship, implementing the 4Ms Framework in their organizations. John A Hartford Foundation covers the US $13,995 program fee for fellows across the U.S., which may benefit South Carolina hospitals and health systems serving seniors.

South Carolina senior services organizations can access funding through the Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement to support specific projects that help older adults stay healthy, active, and engaged. Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits may seek support for programs such as adult day care, home health and wellness, dementia and stroke services, nutrition, mobility, and related geriatric research.

With a mission to support health and senior services, nonprofits providing aging, disability, hospice, hospital, or residential care can seek funding, including organizations in South Carolina. The Albert G and Olive H Schlink Foundation prioritizes Ohio, but considers U.S. charities broadly, offering flexible grant sizes without preset minimums or maximums.

South Carolina organizations serving LGBTQ+ seniors can access funding through Leonard Litz Foundation to strengthen services and support systems for older adults. Grants back programs like social connection, healthcare navigation, housing support, and case management that enhance dignity, safety, inclusion, and long-term capacity for LGBTQ+ elders within the foundation’s Eastern U.S. footprint.

U.S.-based nonprofits, government entities, and universities working on systems-level solutions to make aging more affordable can seek Changing Aging support, including work benefiting seniors in South Carolina. Grants from Next50 Foundation back innovative, collaborative efforts that support older adults’ economic well-being, end ageism, advance digital equity, and enable aging in place for marginalized older adults.

South Carolina senior services and aging-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding through Friends Foundation for the Aging to run innovative, program-based support for older adults. Organizations serving underserved seniors, coordinating care, supporting family caregivers, or fostering intergenerational interaction may be especially competitive, with priority for Quaker-aligned groups and those in the PA-NJ-NY region.

South Carolina universities and research institutions focused on senior services and aging research can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to establish Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers. These P30 centers support geriatrics research and research education aimed at maintaining or restoring independence for older adults, and the opportunity is part of a broader U.S. initiative.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Japanese American seniors and broader Asian American communities, including those in South Carolina, can apply for project grants of US $2,500 - US $50,000. Focused on senior health and services, history, arts and culture, and youth, JA Community Foundation supports time-limited projects rather than ongoing operating costs.

Eastern Carolina Community Foundation

Eastern Carolina Community Foundation, founded in 2006, is the newest community foundation in South Carolina. We have a permanent endowment to meet the changing needs of the Pee Dee.

Eastern Carolina Community Foundation improves the quality of life in our area of South Carolina through inspired philanthropy and innovative community programs. We serve Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, Marlboro, and Williamsburg Counties.

Community Impact Grants

Grantmaking at Eastern Carolina Community Foundation promotes partnerships with communities – its nonprofits, workers, families, and leaders – to cultivate thriving communities.

An annual community impact grant cycle exists to advance the missions of local nonprofits through a competitive grant process. Relying on a trust-based philanthropy model, ECCF intentionally focuses on receiving applications to support capacity building and operational support to assist nonprofit organizations in strengthening operations and infrastructure, enhancing organizational stability, planning for strategic growth, and/or making critical improvements to their facilities.

Proposals to be considered might include (but are not limited to):

• Staff training and development
• Operational support
• Facilities expansion or improvement
• Equipment
• Technology expenses
• Strategic planning

About The John A. Hartford Foundation

The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. The leader in the field of aging and health, the foundation has three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care.

Since 1982, The John A. Hartford Foundation has awarded more than $758 million in grants to enhance the health and well-being of older people.

JAHF New Partners Program Call for Proposals:

National Initiatives Advancing Improvements in Care for Older Adults

The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF) is entering a new chapter that builds on its work to improve care for older adults and support family caregivers while bringing new organizations, leaders and ideas into its community of grantees and partners.

Through this funding opportunity, JAHF is seeking proposals from organizations that have not previously received a major grant from the foundation.

Proposed initiatives must have a national or multi-site scope and align with at least one of the foundation's three priority areas:

• Age-Friendly Health Systems
• Family Caregiving
• Serious Illness and End-of-Life Care

Nonprofit research organizations conducting applied studies on adults 60+ can use these grants for interventional trials, translational work, and health services or policy research with practical impact. Grants from RRF Foundation for Aging help U.S. and Illinois-focused aging and senior services programs, including those serving South Carolina, generate actionable findings for advocates, policymakers, and providers.

Nonprofit organizations advancing advocacy for adults age 60+ can seek funding for regional or national policy-change projects benefiting seniors, including those serving South Carolina. Retirement Research Foundation supports efforts focused on issues like economic security, health care, and housing across the U.S. or within Illinois, excluding lobbying, individual grants, and projects outside the country.

The National Center for Law and Elder Rights, funded by the US HHS: Administration for Community Living, aims to enhance legal assistance for older individuals as mandated by the Older Americans Act. This initiative will support local providers through training, legal advice, and system design to ensure effective delivery of services. Up to four cooperative agreements will be awarded to organizations that collaborate in this vital legal assistance effort.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is funding a three-year cooperative agreement to enhance the Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center. This initiative focuses on addressing the critical shortage and high turnover rates among direct care workers. By bolstering this workforce, ACL aims to ensure older adults, individuals with disabilities, and family caregivers can live, work, and engage fully in their communities, thereby improving overall quality of life.

The Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) aims to enhance support for unpaid family caregivers by expanding access to high-quality, dementia-specific respite services. This initiative, funded by the US HHS Administration for Community Living, focuses on reducing caregiver burden and delaying institutionalization for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. By partnering with aging service providers, the program ensures caregivers receive necessary training and support, fostering a sustainable and responsive respite care system.

The No Wrong Door System Modernization funding aims to enhance access to services for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. By modernizing NWD systems, states can improve service navigation through innovative strategies and technology, including AI. This initiative supports the Administration for Community Living's efforts to connect individuals to vital resources and build evidence on effective service access methods, ensuring a person-centered approach to community living.

The Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging is designed for early-stage physicians and health professionals committed to aging research. This initiative, supported by the NIH, aims to cultivate leadership skills and advance research in geriatrics. Eligible candidates must demonstrate prior research support and leadership in their field. While applications are not currently being accepted, this NOFO encourages potential applicants to develop collaborative and impactful projects in aging research.

This funding opportunity from the US HHS Administration for Community Living aims to support innovative community-based nutrition models that enhance health outcomes for older adults participating in Senior Nutrition Programs. Projects should focus on improving access to healthy foods, promoting healthy aging, and developing sustainable practices. By fostering community partnerships, the initiative seeks to replicate successful strategies across the Aging Network, ultimately improving the quality of life for seniors nationwide.

The Piñon Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions focused on enhancing the education, health, and well-being of children and the elderly. Although it primarily funds initiatives in West Texas, the Dallas Fort Worth area, and Oklahoma City, it is open to proposals from other regions that can positively impact community growth. The foundation believes in the transformative power of education and health to foster community success and development.

This funding opportunity aims to enhance the participation of older adults in the Senior Nutrition Program by focusing on preventative health initiatives. The project seeks to build capacity through statewide efforts, develop shared resources for program sustainability, and foster collaboration among senior nutrition programs and key organizations. By achieving these goals, the initiative will improve health outcomes and strengthen community ties for older adults.

The Aging Services Leadership Fellowship, offered by the United Negro College Fund, is a one-year non-clinical program for recent master's graduates or mid-career professionals with at least five years of experience. The program emphasizes cohort learning, community building, and skill development in aging services. Participants engage in specialized training, networking events, and mentorship opportunities designed to foster leadership and cultural humility, ultimately preparing them to lead in the aging services sector.

The Combating Social Isolation of Older Adults Grant, provided by the Sephardic Home for the Aged Foundation, aims to combat elder abuse and neglect exacerbated by social isolation. This initiative recognizes that isolation can lead to severe mental and physical health issues among older adults. It promotes trauma-informed care and mental health services to help these individuals reconnect socially. Additionally, the Foundation supports intergenerational programming as a vital strategy to foster community connections and reduce isolation among seniors.

The Dementia Care and Brain Degenerative Diseases Grant, offered by the Sephardic Home For The Aged Foundation, aims to support innovative projects enhancing care and quality of life for older adults affected by dementia. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)3 nonprofits in operation for at least two years. The Foundation prioritizes proposals focusing on dementia care, promoting collaboration and resource access for aging individuals. Interested applicants should submit a Letter of Inquiry through the online application system.