Best Arts Grants for Nonprofits in South Carolina

South Carolina nonprofits offering education, youth enrichment, workforce development, or community well-being programs can access funding through Triangle Community Foundation’s Clancy & Theys 1949 Fund. Awards up to US $10,000 support measurable, lasting community impact in regions where Clancy & Theys operates, which include parts of South Carolina and neighboring states.

With a mission to advance Southern vitality through the arts, South Arts provides South Carolina arts nonprofits and government or tribal arts units with up to US $1,000 for professional development. Funding supports staff or board participation in conferences, workshops, and other first-time learning opportunities that build organizational capacity and sustainability.

Focused on art and culture, Yawkey Foundation invites South Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits to seek up to US $5,000,000 for transformational capital projects that enhance facilities for direct programs and services. Eligible organizations must align with its giving areas and primarily serve Georgetown County or other listed priority regions.

South Carolina arts and culture nonprofits can seek funding for programs that promote family well-being, the arts, and overall community health. Grants from Stanislaus Community Foundation’s GALLO Giving program provide up to US $10,000 for 501(c)(3) organizations or those with a fiscal sponsor working in eligible focus communities, including Chester County, South Carolina.

South Carolina arts and culture nonprofits can access funding through the Philip L Van Every Foundation for special projects and capital needs. Grants of US $10,000 - US $50,000 support qualified 501(c)(3) organizations, with additional emphasis on education, human and community services, and health-related programs in North and South Carolina.

South Arts, Inc. offers Literary Arts Grants to support Southern independent publishers and small presses with funding up to $5,000. These grants aim to amplify contemporary literary arts and foster community engagement through projects like reading series and festivals. Eligible applicants must be based in the South Arts Region and demonstrate a commitment to advancing literary traditions. This initiative enhances access to the arts and promotes cultural vitality across the Southern states.

The Summer Arts Education Project Grants, provided by the South Carolina Arts Commission, aim to enhance arts education for K-12 students during summer breaks in 2022 and 2023. Grants of up to $50,000 are available, encouraging collaborations between various organizations to expand access to arts education. Priority is given to projects that serve rural or high-poverty areas and address learning loss from COVID-19. Eligible applicants include universities, government units, and registered nonprofits.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running youth baseball or softball programs in South Carolina can seek Yawkey Foundation support for discrete program or small capital needs, including equipment or facility improvements. Grants up to US $100,000 prioritize proven direct-service providers addressing unmet needs, with a primary geographic focus on Georgetown County.

Focused on systemic anti-poverty work, this program invites South Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits to seek more than US $100,000 for arts, culture, education, health, and human services projects. Organizations, especially in Greenville County and the upstate, may secure special project or capital support that strengthens community programs and addresses poverty and discrimination.

Nonprofit arts organizations, artists, and government units in South Carolina can use this grant for arts projects, capacity building, equipment, and professional development. South Carolina Arts Commission supports art and culture in South Carolina by funding quality arts projects, with up to US $2,500 available and priority for projects in designated Opportunity Initiative Counties.

Nonprofit organizations, government units, and designated S.C. Department of Disabilities and Special Needs boards in South Carolina can receive up to US $2,500 to remove accessibility barriers in arts programs and facilities. South Carolina Arts Commission provides funding to address physical, communication, and digital obstacles so people with disabilities can fully participate in the arts.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations focused on environmental conservation or wildlife management in South Carolina can seek up to US $100,000 for timebound program, project, or equipment needs. With a mission to strengthen communities, Yawkey Foundation provides Georgetown County nonprofits with highly competitive Program and Small Capital Grants that may also benefit organizations integrating arts or cultural components into conservation work.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations focused on educational access and college success can seek up to US $100,000 for program or small capital needs serving Greater Boston or Georgetown County, South Carolina. Focused on arts and culture among other areas, Yawkey Foundation invites timebound project or equipment requests that advance degree attainment for underserved young adults.

South Carolina arts-focused nonprofits and eligible government or disability organizations can receive up to US $2,500 to remove accessibility barriers in programs and facilities for people with disabilities. South Carolina arts groups can access funding through South Carolina Arts Commission for projects like assistive technology, accessible communications, staff training, and capital improvements to make existing venues more accessible.

Nonprofit or governmental arts presenting organizations in South Carolina can receive up to US $1,000 to support staff and guest artist travel, registration, and related costs for professional development and artistic planning. With a mission to strengthen arts presenters, South Arts provides funding for conferences, festivals, workshops, virtual trainings, and planning meetings across disciplines.

Nonprofit organizations and units of state or local government in South Carolina can seek funding for arts-focused festivals, including artist fees, arts programming, production, and marketing costs. Focused on expanding arts access, the South Carolina Arts Commission prioritizes festivals in underserved communities and Opportunity Initiative Counties; awards up to US $7,500 with a 1:1 match requirement.

Nonprofit community organizations, colleges, universities, and government units in South Carolina can receive up to US $15,000 to deliver school-term arts education projects for preschool and K-12 students. Focused on arts education, the South Carolina Arts Commission invites programs that expand access, align with state arts standards, and may help address learning loss or serve rural and high-poverty areas.

The S.C. Arts Commission's Folklife & Traditional Arts Project Grants support non-profit organizations and government units in preserving and promoting South Carolina's traditional arts. This program aims to keep living cultural traditions vibrant through various projects, including workshops, festivals, and documentation efforts. Eligible applicants must be non-profit organizations with a valid DUNS number or government units. The grant encourages community engagement and the celebration of cultural heritage across the state.

The BECU Foundation's People Helping People Awards honor exceptional nonprofit work in communities served by BECU. Each year, BECU members can nominate organizations for grants up to $50,000. Eligible nonprofits must be active 501(c)(3) organizations with a direct impact in Idaho, Oregon, South Carolina, or Washington. This initiative highlights the importance of community service and encourages members to recognize local heroes making a difference.

South Carolina charitable and educational nonprofits seeking support for arts and culture projects, as well as civic, education, environment, or health and human services, may be eligible for invitation-only funding in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. Employees Community Fund of The Boeing Company awards grants through its South Carolina chapter’s employee-led grantmaking committee.

Nonprofit organizations serving Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, and Georgetown County (arts only) can apply for Coastal Community Foundation’s Open Grants, with awards up to US $15,000 for arts, hospice care, and Alzheimer’s-related programs. Grants from Coastal Community Foundation help South Carolina arts nonprofits access project or general operating support.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing basic human needs and human services in South Carolina’s Georgetown County can seek funding for discrete, timebound program or small capital needs. Grants from Yawkey Foundation help South Carolina nonprofits cover critical projects or equipment, with awards up to US $100,000 for work aligned with its human services priorities.

South Carolina arts and culture nonprofits serving Aiken or Edgefield counties can access funding through Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area for programs in arts, culture, history, education, health, environment, or human services. 501(c)(3) organizations and eligible public entities may request up to US $15,000 for community-focused projects.

South Arts Inc

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, South Arts is a nonprofit regional arts organization empowering artists, organizations, and communities, and increasing access to arts and culture.

In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the State Arts Agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee — with additional funding from other public and private donors such as the Doris Duke Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and Mellon Foundation — South Arts supports artists and organizations through a rich and responsive portfolio of grants, fellowships, and programs. Why? Because South Arts believes that the arts elevate the region, increasing connectedness and inspiring meaningful change in the process.

Our mission: Advancing Southern vitality through the arts.

Arts in Community Grants

Program Description

Arts in Community Grants are designed to support deeper engagements between Southern communities and artists. Through these grants supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, we aim to increase access to the arts, expand audiences for artists, and broaden our reach. Eligible projects require a Southern artist/company visiting another Southern state for public activities, offering access to arts programming by professional artists. Funding supports Southern film directors, traditional artists, visual artists, performing artists, or writers:

• film (documentary, fiction, experimental, and animation),
• traditional arts (music, dance, storytelling, and visual arts/crafts),
• visual arts (crafts, drawing, experimental, painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media),
• performing arts (theater, music, opera, musical theater, and dance), and
• literary arts (fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry).

Projects require an artist or artist ensemble and a host or partner organization. Project must include at least two in-person or live, virtual public activities – both a public presentation (a film screening, performance, reading, or exhibition) and an educational/community engagement activity (a workshop, demonstration, lecture, facilitated discussion, or master class). The grant requires a dollar-for-dollar cash match.

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public entities in South Carolina’s Aiken and Edgefield counties can apply for Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area’s Women in Philanthropy Grant to support arts, education, or health projects benefiting women and children. Programs with strong potential for high-impact, positive change are prioritized, and funded organizations must skip the following year.

Arts and culture 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Georgetown County, South Carolina can apply for Yawkey Foundation Program and Small Capital Grants, with awards up to US $100,000 for discrete, timebound program or small capital needs. Competitive applicants provide direct services that enrich children and families and demonstrate strong leadership and proven impact.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing health care access, children’s mental health, or reducing health disparities in South Carolina can seek program or small capital support for discrete, timebound needs. Focused on health care, Yawkey Foundation invites eligible nonprofits, including those in Georgetown County, to apply for up to US $100,000 for equipment, projects, or program expenses beyond salaries.