Search Through Hampton County Grants for Nonprofits in South Carolina

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

In 1994, a group of visionary Lowcountry community leaders recognized the need to create a community foundation. Through the sale of the nonprofit Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island Foundation, Inc. was born, with a mission to provide philanthropic leadership to a growing community. In 2001, our service area expanded to include northern Beaufort County, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. To reflect this, our name changed to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Throughout our history, we have expanded our services, undertaken important initiatives and altered our course to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Lowcountry. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.

Mission: Strengthening community by connecting people, resources, and needs.

Vision: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is a committed philanthropic partner, providing leadership, support, and resources to ensure that all people within our region are thriving.

Purpose: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is dedicated to helping donors, nonprofit organizations and other community members make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry citizens. Our positive impact is achieved by bringing together financial resources, knowledge and collaborative networks to serve community needs.

Arnold Fields Community Endowed Scholarship

The Arnold Fields Community Endowment Educational Scholarship is a competitive scholarship. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to one graduating high school senior from Hampton County.

Organizational Development Grants

Organizational Development Grants are available to organizations throughout the Community Foundation’s four-county service area of Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Their purpose is to help organizations increase their capacity to govern and achieve long-term sustainability. Grants are made up to $5,000 and may cover up to 70% of the total cost of the consultant’s services.

These grants may be used to address issues such as:

• Strategic planning
• Organizational structure
• Board/staff relations
• Governance training
• Board/staff policies and procedures
• Asset development planning
• Marketing/public relations/communications planning
• Merger and/or consolidations
• Fiscal management
• Social Justice Planning

Limitations

• The grant can be used only to retain a consultant.
• Organizations may only apply for an Organizational Development grant once during our fiscal year, which runs July 1 – June 30.
• Organizational Development Grants can only be approved once for each development area.
• Your grant application must include a detailed proposal from the consultant with budget and payment schedule.
• The grant is paid to the organization.
• The grant award may cover up to 70% of the consultant’s proposal.
  • For example, if the consultant’s total project cost is $6,500, the grant award would be $4,550, or 70% of the request.
  • The organization is required to cover the balance of the project cost with their funds.

Who We Are

Our Purpose

Through endowment funds established by individuals, families, businesses and organizations, our combined resources allow us to not only address community needs today, but help us chart a course for a brighter future in the nine counties we serve along South Carolina’s coast. With our donors, we invest millions of dollars through grantmaking, impact investing and scholarships each year. We are also known for understanding and acting upon the dynamic needs of the communities we serve, with recent examples including our disaster response efforts during and after major storms such as Hurricane Florence, and the creation of the Lowcountry Unity Fund in the wake of the Mother Emanuel AME Church massacre to support causes addressing systemic racism.

Financial resources are among the many tools we employ in our mission to create vibrant communities. Throughout our history, we have served as a community convener to bring residents and leaders together to tackle major structural challenges, such as housing shortages or limited access to quality education. We also have a long history of incubating grassroots causes and providing them with structural support to grow into fully operational nonprofit organizations. Some organizations that began as programs at Coastal Community Foundation — including the Lowcountry Food Bank, One80 Place and the Center for Heirs Property Preservation — are now major regional nonprofits addressing critical needs.

Our Mission

Coastal Community Foundation works to create communities rich in equity, opportunity, and well-being by uniting people and investing resources so that all community members have a pathway to achieve their goals.

Donors Choose Teacher Mini Grants

Grants are available in the fall semester for teacher-initiated classroom projects to help support and encourage teachers who take innovative approaches to education. Applications are accepted through an outside organization, Donors Choose, which works across the country to make it easy for anyone to support classrooms in need.

This competitive program supports nonprofit organizations serving Allendale and/or Hampton counties addressing all charitable areas, with particular attention to education, health, and conservation/preservation of the built and natural environment.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry 

In 1994, a group of visionary Lowcountry community leaders recognized the need to create a community foundation. Through the sale of the nonprofit Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island Foundation, Inc. was born, with a mission to provide philanthropic leadership to a growing community. In 2001, our service area expanded to include northern Beaufort County, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. To reflect this, our name changed to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Throughout our history, we have expanded our services, undertaken important initiatives and altered our course to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Lowcountry. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.

Mission: Strengthening community by connecting people, resources, and needs.

Vision: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is a committed philanthropic partner, providing leadership, support, and resources to ensure that all people within our region are thriving.

Purpose: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is dedicated to helping donors, nonprofit organizations and other community members make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry citizens. Our positive impact is achieved by bringing together financial resources, knowledge and collaborative networks to serve community needs.

Jim Ferree Educational Scholarship

The Jim Ferree Educational Scholarship provides support to graduating seniors from high schools in Beaufort County, SC, who plan to pursue post-secondary education at an accredited technical school, college, or university during the 2025-26 academic year. The ideal applicant has been impacted by the game of golf. 

School Arts Support Grants

Purpose

To help schools acquire the supplies, materials/equipment, or professional development needed to address learning loss gaps in the arts, promote innovation in the arts classroom, and/or support arts integration initiatives to remediate core subject areas.

Use of Funds

School Arts Support Grants should have a strong connection to addressing COVID related learning loss in and through the arts, promoting arts innovation, and/or increasing capacity to utilize arts integration as a teaching practice.

• SAS grant funds may be used, in one of the following ways:
  • Materials/Equipment/Supplies
    • Examples could include:
      • Arts materials that will enhance teaching of areas that students are lagging in due to learning disruptions
      • Instruments to complete or increase a classroom set
      • Materials for an arts integration lesson
      • Equipment such as a pottery wheel, kiln or printing press
  • Please Note: Grant funds should supplement (add to) not supplant (replace) your current arts budget, meaning that grant funds should pay for materials/projects that are BEYOND your current budget capacity. Grant funds should NOT pay for materials/projects so that your current arts budget can be used elsewhere.
• Professional Development Opportunities
  • Examples could include:
    • Membership to state or national arts education associations
    • Conference, travel, and hotel fees for state or national conferences (travel and hotel must follow the S.C. state travel guidelines and rates).
    • Substitute teacher costs to allow for peer-to-peer planning for arts rich learning opportunities
• Arts Residencies
  • Please note: The artist in residence MUST spend peer to peer training time with the arts teacher to ensure growth in the teacher’s skill level and ability to teach the skill in future years.
  • Grant recipients must use members of the S.C. Arts Directory for grant-funded activities (see below for additional information)
  • SAS Grant funds can purchase materials to support the arts residency

Funding

Up to $2,500 per grant request. Individual schools are eligible to receive up to two (2) grants ($5,000 total) per fiscal year.

About This GrantOperating Support for Small Organizations (OSS) grants provide two years of support for basic operations to help strengthen eligible organizations’ ability to bring ongoing arts experiences and services to individuals, communities, and other organizations throughout the state. This grant is unrestricted, which means grantees may use it for any general operating expense related to their arts programming, such as staff salaries, paying the electric bill, printing programs, buying supplies, etc.Purpose To help strengthen arts organizations that bring ongoing arts experiences and services to individuals, communities, and other organizations throughout the state. To help strengthen arts organizations that bring ongoing arts experiences and services to individuals, communities, and other organizations throughout the state via three (3) years of support for basic operations for applicants ranging from emerging to established arts organizations with primary missions involving these artistic functions:

• producing,
• service,
• presenting,
• and/or education.

Match 1:1 (grantee:SCAC) cash match is required.  Each dollar awarded must be matched with $1 cash. No in-kind expenses are allowed as part of the applicant’s match in this category.Use of FundsGrantees may use these funds for any general operating expense related to their arts programming, such as staff salaries, paying the electric bill, printing programs, buying supplies, etc.Arts programming expenses might include (but are not limited to) concert series, visual arts workshops, a season of theatrical productions, or other activities and initiatives conducted with the primary intention of providing arts experiences to the community.This grant is not intended to support programming that is not arts-focused (although it may contain artistic elements).Allowable (Operating) Expenses

• Costs that an organization must cover to perform its primary, day-to-day activities that generate revenue.
• Administrative costs.
• Office supplies.
• Salaries for administrative/artistic personnel.
• Commissions.
• Marketing and advertising.
• Research and development costs.
• Rent.
• Utilities.
• Contract/consultant services.
• Insurance premiums.
• Everyday repairs to equipment.
• Travel expenses related to normal business activities.
• Property tax.
• Accessibility operating expenses: expenses accrued to improve the quality of being easily reached, entered, or used by people who have a disability.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Throughout our history, we have expanded our services, undertaken important initiatives and altered our course to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Lowcountry. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.

Scholarships

Since 1995, we’ve been a resource for students and parents who are looking for a way to offset the cost of tuition while bypassing the use of student loans.

Fred and Susan Breidenbach Scholarship

The Breidenbachs moved to the South Carolina Lowcountry in 1993 when Fred left a 25-year career with General Electric to become president and chief operating officer of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. Fred received an engineering degree from Penn State University and a Master of Business Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati.

Fred states many times that Gulfstream's competitive advantage is the "can-do" attitude of the employees. Both Fred and Susan strongly feel that a solid education is critical for the success of young people. They are delighted to sponsor up to five college scholarships every year for the sons and daughters of Gulfstream employees ... for it was those employees who willingly did what was asked during the extremely difficult "turanaround" years of 1993 and 1994, when the company's survival was at stage. The Susan and Fred Breidenbach Program was established to recognize and honor academic excellence among high school students who show a high level of commitment toward completing their post-secondary education.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Throughout our history, we have expanded our services, undertaken important initiatives and altered our course to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Lowcountry. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.

Scholarships

Since 1995, we’ve been a resource for students and parents who are looking for a way to offset the cost of tuition while bypassing the use of student loans.

Gulfstream Goldie Glenn Scholarship

Since his days growing up near New York's Roosevelt Field, "America's Cradle of Aviation," Albert H. "Goldie" Glenn was active in aviation and aerospace projects. He was part of the transformation of flying machines from propeller-driven wool and cloth models to the rocket-powered spacecraft that carried the first man into space. After 52 years in the aircraft industry (including many technical, service and management responsibilities), he retired in July 1993 as Vice Chairman of Gulfstream.

This scholarship program is a tribute to Goldie Glenn and the outstanding leadership, service and respect that he brought to Gulfstream. The Gulfstream Goldie Glenn Scholarship Program was established to recognize and honor academic excellence among the high school students who are the children of Gulfstream employees.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Throughout our history, we have expanded our services, undertaken important initiatives and altered our course to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Lowcountry. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.

Scholarships

Since 1995, we’ve been a resource for students and parents who are looking for a way to offset the cost of tuition while bypassing the use of student loans.

Ira P. Berman Gulfstream Scholarship

The Ira P. Berman Gulfstream Scholarship was generously established through the combined philanthropy of Ira P. Berman, Helen A. Borrello, and Gulfstream Aerospace to support the educational aspirations of Gulfstream employees' children and dependents. Mr. Berman served Gulfstream Aerospace with distinction as Senior Vice President of Administration and General Counsel, and as a Corporate Vice President of General Dynamics, Gulfstream’s parent company, for more than 25 years. In recognition of his outstanding leadership, dedication, and lasting contributions to the company, Gulfstream joined Mr. Berman and Ms. Borrello in supporting the creation of this scholarship.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry 

In 1994, a group of visionary Lowcountry community leaders recognized the need to create a community foundation. Through the sale of the nonprofit Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island Foundation, Inc. was born, with a mission to provide philanthropic leadership to a growing community. In 2001, our service area expanded to include northern Beaufort County, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. To reflect this, our name changed to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Throughout our history, we have expanded our services, undertaken important initiatives and altered our course to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Lowcountry. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.

Mission: Strengthening community by connecting people, resources, and needs.

Vision: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is a committed philanthropic partner, providing leadership, support, and resources to ensure that all people within our region are thriving.

Purpose: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is dedicated to helping donors, nonprofit organizations and other community members make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry citizens. Our positive impact is achieved by bringing together financial resources, knowledge and collaborative networks to serve community needs.

Alliance Global Partners Scholarship

The Alliance Global Partners Scholarship Endowment was generously established in August 2022 by the Alliance Global Partners, a wealth management and investment advisory firm. The scholarship provides post-secondary scholarship opportunities for qualified students scheduled to graduate from a high school located in southern Beaufort County, with plans to pursue a post-secondary education in the area of business through an accredited college or university.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry 

In 1994, a group of visionary Lowcountry community leaders recognized the need to create a community foundation. Through the sale of the nonprofit Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island Foundation, Inc. was born, with a mission to provide philanthropic leadership to a growing community. In 2001, our service area expanded to include northern Beaufort County, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. To reflect this, our name changed to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Throughout our history, we have expanded our services, undertaken important initiatives and altered our course to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Lowcountry. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.

Mission: Strengthening community by connecting people, resources, and needs.

Vision: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is a committed philanthropic partner, providing leadership, support, and resources to ensure that all people within our region are thriving.

Purpose: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is dedicated to helping donors, nonprofit organizations and other community members make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry citizens. Our positive impact is achieved by bringing together financial resources, knowledge and collaborative networks to serve community needs.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Scholarship

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Scholarship fund was created by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Nu Delta Omega Chapter in 2025. The mission of this scholarship fund is to provide a $1,000.00 scholarship to graduating senior females in the Beaufort and Jasper County public high schools.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry 

In 1994, a group of visionary Lowcountry community leaders recognized the need to create a community foundation. Through the sale of the nonprofit Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island Foundation, Inc. was born, with a mission to provide philanthropic leadership to a growing community. In 2001, our service area expanded to include northern Beaufort County, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. To reflect this, our name changed to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Throughout our history, we have expanded our services, undertaken important initiatives and altered our course to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Lowcountry. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.

Mission: Strengthening community by connecting people, resources, and needs.

Vision: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is a committed philanthropic partner, providing leadership, support, and resources to ensure that all people within our region are thriving.

Purpose: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is dedicated to helping donors, nonprofit organizations and other community members make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry citizens. Our positive impact is achieved by bringing together financial resources, knowledge and collaborative networks to serve community needs.

Amazing Grace Sulak Scholarship

The Amazing Grace Sulak Scholarship Fund was established in 2017 in memory of Grace Sulak by her family. The mission of the scholarship fund is to provide annual scholarship awards to assist qualified students who are pursuing a post-secondary education.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry 

In 1994, a group of visionary Lowcountry community leaders recognized the need to create a community foundation. Through the sale of the nonprofit Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island Foundation, Inc. was born, with a mission to provide philanthropic leadership to a growing community. In 2001, our service area expanded to include northern Beaufort County, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. To reflect this, our name changed to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Throughout our history, we have expanded our services, undertaken important initiatives and altered our course to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Lowcountry. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.

Mission: Strengthening community by connecting people, resources, and needs.

Vision: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is a committed philanthropic partner, providing leadership, support, and resources to ensure that all people within our region are thriving.

Purpose: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is dedicated to helping donors, nonprofit organizations and other community members make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry citizens. Our positive impact is achieved by bringing together financial resources, knowledge and collaborative networks to serve community needs.

Ellie and Michael Agresta Scholarship

Ellie and Michael Agresta established their scholarship fund in 2010 to provide post-secondary educational scholarships for qualified students. The purpose of this scholarship is to fund motivated students who may not have the opportunity to attend college without additional financial resources.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry 

In 1994, a group of visionary Lowcountry community leaders recognized the need to create a community foundation. Through the sale of the nonprofit Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island Foundation, Inc. was born, with a mission to provide philanthropic leadership to a growing community. In 2001, our service area expanded to include northern Beaufort County, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. To reflect this, our name changed to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Throughout our history, we have expanded our services, undertaken important initiatives and altered our course to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Lowcountry. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.

Mission: Strengthening community by connecting people, resources, and needs.

Vision: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is a committed philanthropic partner, providing leadership, support, and resources to ensure that all people within our region are thriving.

Purpose: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is dedicated to helping donors, nonprofit organizations and other community members make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry citizens. Our positive impact is achieved by bringing together financial resources, knowledge and collaborative networks to serve community needs.

Joan and Wade Webster Scholarship Program

The Joan and Wade Webster Scholarship was established at the Community Foundation in 1995 by Joan and Wade Webster to provide annual post-secondary educational scholarships for qualified students. The purpose of the Joan and Wade Webster Scholarship Program is to assist qualified students in pursuit of a post-secondary education who demonstrate a willingness to learn about and practice sound personal financial habits in an effort toward becoming financially self-sufficient.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry 

In 1994, a group of visionary Lowcountry community leaders recognized the need to create a community foundation. Through the sale of the nonprofit Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island Foundation, Inc. was born, with a mission to provide philanthropic leadership to a growing community. In 2001, our service area expanded to include northern Beaufort County, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. To reflect this, our name changed to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Throughout our history, we have expanded our services, undertaken important initiatives and altered our course to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Lowcountry. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.

Mission: Strengthening community by connecting people, resources, and needs.

Vision: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is a committed philanthropic partner, providing leadership, support, and resources to ensure that all people within our region are thriving.

Purpose: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is dedicated to helping donors, nonprofit organizations and other community members make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry citizens. Our positive impact is achieved by bringing together financial resources, knowledge and collaborative networks to serve community needs.

Joseph S. Onisko, Jr. Environmental Sciences Scholarship

The Joseph S. Onisko, Jr. Environmental Sciences Scholarship Fund was established in 2020 by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Onisko, in memory of Joseph S. Onisko, Jr. The purpose and focus of this scholarship fund is to provide scholarship support for qualified students pursuing a post-secondary education in the field of Environmental Sciences or a related area.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry 

In 1994, a group of visionary Lowcountry community leaders recognized the need to create a community foundation. Through the sale of the nonprofit Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island Foundation, Inc. was born, with a mission to provide philanthropic leadership to a growing community. In 2001, our service area expanded to include northern Beaufort County, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. To reflect this, our name changed to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Throughout our history, we have expanded our services, undertaken important initiatives and altered our course to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Lowcountry. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.

Mission: Strengthening community by connecting people, resources, and needs.

Vision: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is a committed philanthropic partner, providing leadership, support, and resources to ensure that all people within our region are thriving.

Purpose: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is dedicated to helping donors, nonprofit organizations and other community members make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry citizens. Our positive impact is achieved by bringing together financial resources, knowledge and collaborative networks to serve community needs.

Live Like D.J. – Dwon Fields Jr. Scholarship

The Live Like D.J. – Dwon Fields Jr. Scholarship Fund was established in loving memory of Dwon Fields, Jr. by his family and friends in 2021. Annual scholarships are awarded to qualified students in pursuit of a post-secondary education who demonstrate the life qualities D.J. exemplified, by putting the needs of others first and making a difference in others lives through acts of kindness, compassion and caring.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry 

In 1994, a group of visionary Lowcountry community leaders recognized the need to create a community foundation. Through the sale of the nonprofit Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island Foundation, Inc. was born, with a mission to provide philanthropic leadership to a growing community. In 2001, our service area expanded to include northern Beaufort County, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. To reflect this, our name changed to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Throughout our history, we have expanded our services, undertaken important initiatives and altered our course to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Lowcountry. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.

Mission: Strengthening community by connecting people, resources, and needs.

Vision: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is a committed philanthropic partner, providing leadership, support, and resources to ensure that all people within our region are thriving.

Purpose: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is dedicated to helping donors, nonprofit organizations and other community members make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry citizens. Our positive impact is achieved by bringing together financial resources, knowledge and collaborative networks to serve community needs.

Lucrecia C. Lester Memorial Scholarship

The Lucrecia C. Lester Memorial Scholarship Fund was established at Community Foundation of the Lowcountry in 2015 in memory of Lucrecia C. Lester by her family. The mission of the fund is to provide annual scholarship awards to assist qualified students who are residents of Colleton, Hampton, Jasper or Beaufort Counties located in South Carolina and who are pursuing a post-secondary education.

South Carolina Arts Commission

Vision

We envision a South Carolina where the arts are valued and all people benefit from a variety of creative experiences.

Mission

The mission of the South Carolina Arts Commission is to promote equitable access to the arts and support the cultivation of creativity in South Carolina.

Art of Community: Rural SC Grants

Purpose

This grant supports arts-based projects throughout rural South Carolina that use the arts to address issues and challenges in rural communities. The project must serve the rural community in which the applicant is located.

Grant-funded activities should:

• expand community access to the arts in rural areas and
• include a public engagement component and
• engage a project steering committee to lead the project.
  • A project steering committee is the group of people who will be collaborating on and leading this project.
  • This group should have a strong understanding of the project and the applicant organization.
  • The project steering committee is responsible for, but not limited to, providing advice and direction, setting the project timeline and budget, monitoring the quality of the project, evaluating, and monitoring success of the project, and defining project outcomes.

Projects

Projects must support one or more of the following artistic disciplines:

• Dance (choreography or performance)
• Music (composition or performance)
• Opera/musical theatre (production or performance)
• Theatre (performance or playwriting)
• Visual arts (painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, or printmaking)
• Crafts (ceramics, fiber, glass, leather, metal, paper, plastic, or wood)
• Photography
• Design arts (architecture, fashion, graphic, industrial, or interior)
• Media arts (film, animation, including production or screenwriting)
• Literature (poetry or prose)
• Spoken word/slam poetry
• Time-based arts (installation, sound, video art, animation, film, computer generated art, or performance art)
• Public art (ephemeral or permanent)

All projects must:

• include a public engagement component AND
• provide opportunities for
  • participants to develop their own artistic skills and/or produce their own artistic work; OR
  • artistic development for artists through activities such as residencies or workshops; OR
  • using the arts in new contexts.

Background

Grants are one of the four ways the S.C. Arts Commission accomplishes its work in arts education and artist and community arts development. The South Carolina Arts Commission is honored to be named 2019 Public Sector Grantmaker of the Year by the 3,000-member Grant Professionals Association.

Purpose

To help South Carolina organizations make arts programs and existing facilities accessible to persons with disabilitiesUse of Funds Grants awards may reimburse the applicant for any combination of qualifying expenses incurred during the grant period. Projects may include but are not limited to the following: Programs

• Printing large print program materials
• Printing Braille materials
• Artist/consultant fees
• Preparation for special exhibitions
• Audio description
• Sign language interpretation
• Website accessibility
• Docent training for visual or audio enhancement
• Consultant fee to develop an overall accessibility plan for your organization
• Inclusive programming
• Staff training (i.e. travel to a workshop and/or training)
• Other accommodations that make programs accessible
• Purchase of assistive listening devices

Facilities

• Curb cuts
• Construction of accessibility ramp(s)
• Accessibility signage for exterior and/or interior space
• Modification of restroom(s)
• Modification of drinking fountain(s)
• Installation of elevator
• Installation of electronic door opener
• Installation of Braille plaques
• Architectural or engineering study to address accessibility of existing facility
• Capital improvements (“bricks and mortar”) of existing facilities
• Capital improvement projects must meet all local and state building codes.
• If the existing facility is on The National Register of Historic Places or deemed eligible, all work must conform with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
• Applicants for capital improvement project support must upload
• A copy of the deed or letter from the property owner, acknowledging approval of this capital improvement project.
• Photographs, drawings or plans of existing facilities, identifying project areas. All construction documents must be stamped by the architect and/or engineer.
• Design development and construction documents that address the proposed accessibility project
• Adaptive equipment
• Other accommodations that make facilities accessible

Matching Requirements

• 1:1 (grantee:SCAC)
• At least 50% of the applicant’s match must be cash. 

Opportunity Grants

Opportunity Grants are Community Impact or Community Investment Grants with a grant request budget under $10,000. These grants are designed to stimulate and help launch new programs and projects; or to help focus, enhance, and/or expand an organization’s existing programs and services; or as an investment in a capital project which is a critical enhancement to the mission of the nonprofit organization.

Opportunity Grants are available to organizations throughout the Community Foundation’s four-county service area of Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. The grant term is typically 12 months and grants are made up to $10,000.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry 

In 1994, a group of visionary Lowcountry community leaders recognized the need to create a community foundation. Through the sale of the nonprofit Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island Foundation, Inc. was born, with a mission to provide philanthropic leadership to a growing community. In 2001, our service area expanded to include northern Beaufort County, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. To reflect this, our name changed to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Throughout our history, we have expanded our services, undertaken important initiatives and altered our course to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Lowcountry. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.

Mission: Strengthening community by connecting people, resources, and needs.

Vision: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is a committed philanthropic partner, providing leadership, support, and resources to ensure that all people within our region are thriving.

Purpose: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is dedicated to helping donors, nonprofit organizations and other community members make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry citizens. Our positive impact is achieved by bringing together financial resources, knowledge and collaborative networks to serve community needs.

David W. McCoy Scholarship (MO)

The David W. McCoy Scholarship was generously established in 2021 by David W. McCoy to provide support for qualified students at Troy Buchanan High School pursuing an undergraduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM). The scholarship is administered by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, South Carolina.

Purpose

This grant provides knowledge, support, and resources that will empower arts organizations to prioritize accessibility for constituents and artists with disabilities. This is a three-year commitment.

Year One aims to provide grantees with tailored professional development that covers accessibility topics directly related to the arts sector. Barrier-Free Arts SC (BFASC) grantees will commit to engaging with professional development content throughout the grant period and will attend five (5) synchronous, virtual cohort sessions led by the SCAC’s arts learning and accessibility director. By the end of the first year, the grantees will develop an accessibility plan to remove barriers identified within their facility and programs. Year one will conclude with a presentation of each organization’s plan.

Years Two and Three will focus on utilizing grant funds to meet the organization’s accessibility goals set in its accessibility plan.

After successful completion of three years in the BFASC cohort, organizations will be eligible to become a BFASC-designated organization and will be identified as such through SCAC channels (e.g., the SC Arts Directory, social media highlights, and The Hub’s Venues directory). BFASC-designated organizations will be eligible for ongoing grant funding to support their pursuit of continued accessibility excellence and will become mentors to incoming organizations in the grant program.

Funding

Year One: Up to $3,500. Years Two and Three: Up to $5,000.

Matching Requirement

Year One: No match. Years Two and Three: 1:1 match (grantee:SCAC).

Term Arts Education Project Grants

This grant supports quality arts education programs for preschool (3k- 4k) and/or K-12 students during the school term (including beyond the school day), through both traditional providers (arts organizations) and other organizations (e.g., social service, health, community, education) that utilize the arts to meet the educational, developmental, and social needs of preschool (3k-4k) and/or K-12 students. This grant supports projects occurring during the school term 2025-2026. For the purposes of this grant, a term is defined as an academic year.

Activities should:

• Expand student access to arts education opportunities; and
• Complement, augment, or advance standards-based arts instruction or arts integration aligned with school curriculum; and
• Be focused on or include significant components of quality instruction and/or experiences in the visual arts, performing arts, media arts, design arts, folk and traditional arts, and/or creative writing; and
• Address South Carolina’s 2017 College and Career Ready Standards for Visual and Performing Arts Proficiency.
• If applying for or including preschool programming, address South Carolina’s Profile of the Ready Kindergartener.

Examples of eligible in-school and after-school activities include, but are not limited to:

• Workshops
• Artist residencies
• Performances
• Exhibitions
• Acquisition of critical equipment or supplies
• Program planning
• Professional learning for educators, instructors, artists and/or administrators
• Camps (non-summer camps)

Funding

• Up to $15,000 
• Matching Requirement: 1:2 (grantee:SCAC)
• This funding category is highly competitive.

South Carolina Arts Commission

Vision

We envision a South Carolina where the arts are valued and all people benefit from a variety of creative experiences.

Mission

The mission of the South Carolina Arts Commission is to promote equitable access to the arts and support the cultivation of creativity in South Carolina.

Festivals Program Grant

Purpose

To provide support for a broad range of arts activities at festivals that take place in—and have an impact on—S.C. communities, increasing opportunities for public engagement and participation in arts and culture.

About Us

Founded in 1974, Coastal Community Foundation works with people and organizations who want to make a lasting difference through philanthropy. We are rooted in the community from 40+ years of experience in the Lowcountry. Our proactive approach to donor services, fund flexibility and opportunities to engage with the community make us the partner of choice for hundreds of donors in coastal South Carolina.

Southern Lowcountry Grants

Competitive grant programs are for organizations serving Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. Unless otherwise specified, organizations are allowed and encouraged to apply for general operating support.

The Beaufort Fund

CCF’s largest grantmaking program in the Southern Lowcountry has three categories intended to suit the needs of small, large and first-time applicants.

Since it was established in 1998, The Beaufort Fund Grant Program has distributed more than $11 million in the Southern Lowcountry region across Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. Applications are accepted in three categories, a structure intended to suit the needs of small, large and first-time applicants. This approach allows the selection committee to evaluate organizations that are similar in fiscal scope, life cycle and programmatic impact within each category.

Grant Categories

Requests for each of the following categories may be for programmatic or general operating support:

Genesis Grant

This grant supports strategic growth and/or expansion to increase the impact of a program that has already been proven successful. This grant may also support a project that addresses a community need in a new or creative way. Applicants may request up to $10,000 of support from this category.

Operational Grant

This grant is only available to organizations that have applied to The Beaufort Fund previously. Nonprofits may request up to $25,000 of support from this category.

First-Time Grant

This grant is only available to nonprofits that have not applied to the Beaufort Fund previously or have not received funding in the last five years. Nonprofits may request up to $15,000 of support from this category.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. Throughout our history, we have expanded our services, undertaken important initiatives and altered our course to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Lowcountry. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.

Scholarships

Since 1995, we’ve been a resource for students and parents who are looking for a way to offset the cost of tuition while bypassing the use of student loans.

Dan D. Nale Engineering Scholarship

The Dan D. Nale Engineering Scholarship, established in 2019, recognizes and honors academic excellence among qualified university students who are dependents of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation employees and who are pursuing a post-secondary bachelor of science degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university (limited to Aerospace, Civil, Electrical or Mechanical).