Best Grants for 501(c)(3) in South Carolina

Cattaraugus County Trappers Memorial Scholarship

Created by the Cattaraugus County Trappers Association, this scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school student who plans to pursue a degree in Natural Resources Conservation, Fish & Wildlife Management, Forest Management or similar area of study at a 2- or 4-year college. Financial need will be considered. Applicants must include list of outdoors sports in which they participate, a statement on importance of the role of sportsmen in conservation and management of fish and wildlife and natural resources, and information on career path in their goal statement.

The One Hive Foundation Grant focuses on promoting pollinator health and ecologically responsible agriculture through funding research and nonprofit initiatives. Launched in 2022, the grant supports diverse projects aimed at enhancing environmental data, public education, and scientific collaboration. Targeting verified 501c3 organizations, the foundation emphasizes ecological practices and community engagement in Vermont and beyond, with grants of up to $75,000 available to eligible applicants.

The Small Grants for New Investigators program aims to enhance participation in health-related research by supporting new investigators from diverse backgrounds. This initiative encourages projects in the scientific areas of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Eligible applicants may receive funding for small research projects, promoting research independence and innovation while addressing the underrepresentation in biomedical research.

The Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP) aims to enhance research capacity at Tribal colleges, focusing on agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. By fostering leadership skills and knowledge, the program prepares students for competitive careers in agriculture and related fields. Projects involving innovative agricultural technologies, such as AI and data science, are encouraged. TCRGP also emphasizes training opportunities for undergraduate students to equip them for success in a digital society and explore pathways in AI for food and agricultural sciences.

The Mathers Charitable Foundation Grant focuses on advancing basic scientific research with the potential to transform human health. It supports institutions and investigators in fields such as immunology, cancer biology, and neuroscience while prioritizing impactful, foundational discoveries. The foundation empowers researchers to drive innovative solutions and foster meaningful contributions to science and society. Eligibility includes U.S.-based institutions and principal investigators with equipped labs, while ineligible entities include overseas institutions and private foundations.

The Health Access Heroes Awards, initiated by Sun Life Financial, aims to enhance health access and outcomes for underserved communities. This initiative highlights the crucial connection between oral health and diabetes, focusing on prevention and management. It recognizes impactful nonprofits and unsung heroes who contribute significantly to community health. Selected awardees will receive a $10,000 donation to support their charitable efforts, promoting diabetes awareness, management, and overall health equity.

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

The NRA Foundation Supports Freedom, Family, and the Future of the Shooting Sports

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans.

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. These activities are designed to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports, and to educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context. Funds granted by The NRA Foundation benefit a variety of constituencies throughout the United States including children, youth, women, individuals with physical disabilities, gun collectors, law enforcement officers, hunters and competitive shooters.

Women's Wildlife Management Conservation Scholarship

The Women’s Wildlife Conservation Scholarship, established by the NRA Women’s Policies Committee, is a renewable one-year $5,000 scholarship available to full-time college sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Thank you for your interest in the field of wildlife management, forestry, parks, or fish and wildlife conservation.

Scholarship Value

$2,500 per semester for up to two semesters. Recipients must maintain qualifications listed above to receive second installment.

The ACFM Project Support Program offers funding between $2,000 and $20,000 for special projects that enhance public appreciation of contemporary American concert music and jazz. Eligible applicants include performing ensembles and music organizations with a minimum of two years of programming history. Projects must focus on contemporary works by American composers and can involve live performances, recordings, or educational initiatives. This support is pivotal for fostering innovation and creativity in the American music scene.

The Bank of America Foundation Sponsorship Program aims to enhance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. This initiative focuses on critical areas such as workforce education, basic needs like food and housing, and community development. The Foundation invested $350 million last year and encourages employee volunteerism and giving, supporting nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, culture, and diversity initiatives.

The FY 2024 - 2026 Broad Agency Announcement by NOAA seeks innovative research and outreach projects that enhance marine and coastal ecosystem viability. This funding opportunity is contingent on appropriations and does not guarantee specific awards or project funding. NOAA emphasizes collaboration with federal, state, and local partners to remain adaptive in addressing climate change and providing vital weather and water services, ensuring ongoing improvement in their information and services.

The JTMF Foundation Grant focuses on improving the lives of individuals in need, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. By partnering with organizations addressing immediate needs and long-term challenges, the foundation supports children, older adults, veterans, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Guided by Catholic values, JTMF aims to empower communities while seeking innovative solutions to societal issues. Organizations that align with these focus areas are encouraged to connect, fostering a collaborative effort towards meaningful impact.

The CDC is allocating funds through NOFO DD-27-0028 to enhance maternal child health surveillance and partnerships. This initiative targets public health challenges such as alcohol use during pregnancy and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). It aims to improve clinical surveillance systems, data quality, and timely reporting, while fostering national partnerships to prevent FASDs and support affected infants and children. The approach focuses on translating high-quality surveillance data into actionable prevention strategies.

The Tobacco, Alcohol, and Cannabis Policy Research for Health Equity (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) aims to fund projects that explore policies related to tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis in the U.S. The focus is on understanding how these policies affect usage and exposure among disadvantaged populations. Engaging community organizations is essential for promoting equity in cancer prevention. This initiative is crucial for advancing health equity and reducing disparities in substance use.

The Tobacco, Alcohol, and Cannabis Policy Research for Health Equity grant aims to support research on policies affecting tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use in the U.S. This initiative focuses on how these policies impact populations facing health disparities. Key components include engaging community organizations to advance equity in cancer prevention. Important deadlines for applications range from February 2025 to October 2027, providing opportunities for both standard and renewal submissions.

The Hanger Foundation's Empowerment Grants aim to positively impact individuals with physical challenges by supporting 501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S. The foundation focuses on rehabilitation services, athletic programs, and social activities that empower those with limb loss or differences. Grants are available for one year and prioritize projects that engage communities and enhance the quality of life for those in need. Organizations are encouraged to apply for funding that directly supports these goals.

Joyful Heart Foundation

Since 2004, Joyful Heart has been a leading national organization with a mission to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse by building a world that prioritizes survivors’ healing.

Our Areas of Focus

We continue to carry out our mission through programming centered on survivors’ needs. We strive to fill gaps where those needs aren’t being met, without duplicating existing programs. In order to build a more compassionate, more informed culture rooted in the possibility and promise of healing, we focus on three key areas: Awareness and Community Building, Policy and Advocacy and Healing Programs.

• Healing Programs and Resources: Creating and fostering a culture of healing and nurturing for survivors and the professionals who support them.
• Policy and Advocacy: Advocating for policies and practices that forge a path to safety, justice and hope for survivors.

• Awareness and Community Building: Creating spaces and conversations that channel a drive for change into action and transformation.

Heal the Healers Grant 

Helping alleviate the effects of secondary trauma for the long-term wellbeing of professionals who support survivors

Building for a System of Care and Compassion

Heal the Healers Grantmaking Program provides critical support for professionals who help survivors heal and seek justice. People working on the frontlines of survivor-centered services are subject to the often overlooked effects of secondary trauma that can emerge as a result of continuous exposure to people who have recently experienced abuse and violence.

The Heal the Healers Grant Fund and Grantee Learning Cohorts provide resources to mitigate the effects of secondary trauma among the practitioners responsible for the earliest stages of survivors’ paths to justice and healing. Creating a safer, more compassionate world for the people who do this work helps lay a foundation for lasting change and a world where every survivor’s healing is prioritized.

The Heal the Healers Fund provides micro-grants of up to $5,000 to nonprofit, Tribal, or governmental organizations supporting survivors for training, small capital projects, or organizational activities.

Areas of Support

The Joyful Heart Foundation has established the following guidelines for its Heal the Healers Fund grants to support those working directly with survivors in the following areas.

• Training and/or program development on self-care practices such as training in trauma-informed yoga, breathwork, somatic therapy, etc.
• Small capital items and equipment that specifically allow staff and volunteers to address their self care needs such as daylight lamps for staff or new furniture for a break room.
• Staff activities to build and support connections between colleagues such as, trust building experiences, monthly pizza nights, or bagel Fridays.
• Or any combination of the above. 

In addition to the financial support, grantees will also be invited to join a peer learning community cohort that includes:

• Opportunities to amplify their fellowship/cohort experiences to inspire others in the field
• Virtual peer-to-peer networking opportunities
• Virtual training/presentations by leading healers, therapists and other professionals with expertise in cutting edge vicarious trauma, empowerment, leadership and therapeutic modalities

The Public Policy & Public Health Award by the American Lung Association aims to foster innovative research addressing critical public health issues impacting lung health. This grant, with a maximum award of $50,000 per year for up to two years, supports researchers in various disciplines to evaluate existing policies and propose new ideas. It encourages efforts to improve air quality and tackle lung disease, aligning with the mission of enhancing public health through informed policy-making.

We support community programs that promote health, education, and human dignity.

The Alfred H. Lander and Janet L. Lander Family Charitable Foundation is a qualified 501(c)(3) private operating foundation that conducts charitable work that meets our mission statement. The Foundation seeks to uplift individuals and families through community programming in the following three areas:

• Programs promoting and supporting the physical and mental health of the community through fitness opportunities and access to services, resources, and qualified care providers.
• Educational programs providing a strong foundation for learning at all ages and levels, including those that improve workforce placement and success.
• Programs assisting individuals and families in meeting basic needs and include a pathway for upward mobility.

New Leaf Fund - Summer Cycle

Community Foundation of Greenville administers grants to preserve parks, open spaces, and historical and cultural assets through the New Leaf Fund.

The New Leaf Fund was established in 2025 by a Greenville native with a passion for conservation.

The Foundation encourages grant requests that include the protection of land and waterfront areas, increased tree cover and access to green spaces, and the protection and restoration of historical properties, in the City of Greenville, in Greenville County, and, to a lesser degree, in the Upstate.

Additional Information

• Awards typically range from $20,000 to $100,000
• Applicants may apply for more than one grant annually
• Funding opportunities may include
• Projects including acquisition, development, preservation, or restoration of land
• Projects including acquisition, development, preservation, or restoration of historical and cultural assets
• Planning, survey, appraisal or design fees for implementing such projects

Arnold Ventures is dedicated to enhancing lives in America through evidence-based policies that address social injustices. Their Evidence and Evaluation team seeks to discover and evaluate solutions for pressing social issues by funding rigorous causal research. This initiative focuses on studies that employ quasi-experimental methods to assess the impact of programs and policies in key areas like education and public finance, ultimately guiding effective resource allocation and policy reform.

The Lubrizol Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations that align with community investment priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on quality education, health, and sustainable communities. Established in 1952, the foundation emphasizes support for initiatives in Cleveland, Ohio, and Houston, Texas. Grant applications are evaluated based on alignment with Lubrizol's investment pillars, with a commitment to fostering social impact and community well-being through financial support.

The CDC's K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award aims to support new investigators in conducting vital research to prevent interpersonal violence and suicide among children and adolescents. This grant encourages proposals that address critical public health issues, including adverse childhood experiences and youth violence, while fostering research independence. Applicants are expected to explore the impact of technology on violence and demonstrate the relevance of their findings to prevention efforts.

The Crawford Taylor Foundation focuses on enhancing programs that create lasting legacies in St. Louis. With priorities in community development, women's health, animal welfare, and environmental preservation, the foundation seeks to support 501(c)(3) organizations that meet specific eligibility criteria. They avoid funding multi-year grants or for-profit initiatives, emphasizing support for local causes and relief efforts deemed important by the Taylor family.

BMO Gives is committed to fostering positive societal impact through community support and charitable initiatives. It focuses on enhancing community and economic resilience, as well as environmental sustainability. Eligible applicants must be registered charities or non-profits operating in Canada or the U.S. and align with BMO's corporate values, which promote inclusivity and non-discrimination. The program aims to support projects that address significant societal needs and empower local communities.

The REPI Challenge, initiated by the DOD's REPI Program, aims to protect critical testing and training capabilities through funded projects. Since 2012, over $193 million has been allocated to 69 initiatives, leveraging more than $512 million in partner contributions. The upcoming 2026 REPI Challenge will focus on strategic mission safeguarding, with up to $20 million available for preventing land use conflicts and enhancing military resilience, thus ensuring the longevity of vital defense capabilities.

The CREST program by the NSF aims to bolster research capabilities at minority-serving institutions (MSIs) through education and research integration. It specifically supports STEM doctoral programs and encourages proposals in high-priority areas such as AI and climate change. By enhancing the institutional capacity, the program seeks to increase the number of underrepresented doctoral graduates in STEM fields, thereby fostering diversity and innovation in scientific research.