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

The Wallace F. Pate Scholarship, established by the Hampton Wildlife Fund in 2004, awards $2,500 annually to a South Carolina resident pursuing higher education in natural resource disciplines. This scholarship honors Wallace F. Pate, a pioneer in offshore big game fishing. Eligible applicants must be seniors in South Carolina high schools, planning to major in fields such as wildlife biology or environmental science. The scholarship aims to support future conservation leaders and promote educational growth in South Carolina.

Arbor Rising Grant, established in 2010, is a NYC-based nonprofit providing unrestricted multi-year funding and capacity-building support to nonprofits focused on alleviating poverty. The grant process occurs every three years, with the next round in 2025 being invitation-only. Eligible organizations must demonstrate high potential and effective leadership, typically operating on a modest budget. Arbor Rising prioritizes applicants from the NYC metro area while expanding to cover the lower 48 US states.

Grants

Through our grantmaking, we support nonprofits that serve South Carolina at local, regional and state levels to address root causes of poverty while honoring the dignity of every South Carolinian.

Starting in 2026, our grants focus primarily on systems change in the areas of

• economic mobility,
• housing security and
• health care (with health care systems change grants by invitation only).

By focusing our efforts and going deeper on these three issues, we aim to have an even greater impact on the nonprofits and communities we serve.

Systems Change Grants

Systems Change Grants fund organizations and coalitions that are working to change the policies, power structures and mindsets that cause and reinforce poverty in South Carolina. These grants specifically fund systems change that supports economic mobility and housing security.

Through these grants, we aim to generate a larger impact through more intentional funding, highly focused work and alignment across our Foundation’s activities.

What Systems Change Grants Support

• Organizations that are actively working on systems change that impacts people experiencing poverty and addresses economic mobility or housing security. To see how the Foundation defines these terms, visit our Strategic Plan webpage.
• Organizations that are seeking to change systems at the local, regional or state level. Systems Change Grants provide up to $75,000 annually for local or regional work.
  • State-level grants have a $100,000 maximum each year. 
• Organizations addressing systems change in at least one of the following ways:
  • Participating in advocacy and lobbying
    • Focus on changing policies, practices, processes, rules or laws
    • Impacting resource flows (i.e., reallocated and/or new funding streams)
    • Holding systems accountable to their intended purpose through the above as well as through litigation
  • Addressing unequal power
    • Focus on changing the distribution and dynamics of privilege, relationships and tradition
    • Organizing and building connections and coalitions that center community voices and perspectives
    • Civic engagement
  • Affirming the dignity of people experiencing poverty
    • Focus on changing the narrative around poverty
    • Focus on changing attitudes, mindsets, values, belief systems, norms, mental models and paradigms
  • Implementing big impact, scalable, or innovative solutions
    • Focus on changing results, especially for groups experiencing inequitable outcomes as a result of historic and current marginalization

All grants are for one year, with the possibility of renewal up to three years based on meeting reporting requirements and the availability of funding.

The Self Family Foundation Grant aims to strengthen communities in Greenwood, South Carolina, through strategic funding in education, community development, and access to arts and culture. This grant particularly focuses on early childhood development programs and promotes health, wellness, and cultural preservation initiatives. Organizations interested in applying must ensure alignment with the foundation's mission and adhere to its conflict of interest policy, as the foundation does not fund individuals or provide loans.

The Appalachian Landscapes Project - Capital Grants Application Fall 2025 by the Open Space Institute aims to enhance conservation across the Appalachian Mountain region. With a focus on biodiversity, climate resilience, and community benefits, this initiative supports the acquisition of land and conservation easements. As a vital climate refuge, the Appalachians play a crucial role in safeguarding habitats and providing public recreation opportunities for the 26 million residents living in this area.

The Festivals Program Grant, offered by the South Carolina Arts Commission, aims to support a wide range of arts activities at festivals that significantly impact local communities. By fostering public engagement and participation in arts and culture, this grant prioritizes festivals in underserved areas, enhancing access to creative experiences for all. Eligibility extends to local governments and registered nonprofits, ensuring that the arts remain integral to South Carolina's community life, especially during challenging times.

The USDA's Tribal Colleges Extension Program - Capacity Applications (TCEP-CA) aims to support community-based projects that enhance agriculture, youth development, economic growth, and healthy lifestyles among Tribal communities. This new funding cycle, managed by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), emphasizes merit and efficiency, encouraging applicants to engage actively with local farmers and ranchers to ensure relevant and impactful initiatives.

The Jolley Foundation Grant offers up to $100,000 to charitable organizations that are 501(c)(3) exempt and based in South Carolina. This grant aims to address poverty and discrimination through systemic solutions, capacity-building for nonprofits, and collaborative efforts. Priority is given to projects in arts, education, health, and human services, particularly those benefiting residents of Greenville County. Applicants must demonstrate financial sustainability for their programs.

The Rusty & Debbie Hoffman Family Scholarship supports aspiring undergraduate mechanical or architectural engineering students from ASHRAE Region IV. This one-year scholarship is available to those with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or in the top 30% of their class, studying at accredited institutions with recognized ASHRAE student branches. The scholarship aims to foster the next generation of professionals dedicated to sustainable heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions in the built environment.

The J. Bulow Campbell Foundation, established in 1940, focuses on grantmaking in Atlanta and Georgia, prioritizing capital projects in education, youth development, human services, public spaces, and cultural institutions. With a legacy of over $800 million awarded, the Foundation reflects the values of its founder, J. Bulow Campbell, emphasizing careful stewardship and Christian principles. While open to neighboring states, grants are generally restricted to tax-exempt institutions, excluding individuals and certain funding purposes.

The Harlene and Marvin Wool Foundation Grant supports non-profit organizations in the St. Louis area that enhance lives through health, education, social services, and the arts. With a focus on empowering the economically disadvantaged, the foundation welcomes applications from 501(c)(3) organizations. Key priority areas include education, health and wellness, family and child empowerment, and cultural engagement, aiming to foster community growth and development.

The XENO PRIZE for Performance Arts, awarded by Franklin Furnace, supports early-career LGBTQ+-identifying performance artists creating new work in 26 states with restrictive gender-affirming laws. This annual prize, established in 2023, offers $5000 to a selected recipient from proposals submitted for the Franklin Furnace FUND for Performance Art. The deadline for submissions is April 1, 2025, encouraging innovative voices in the contemporary performance art landscape.

The Conservation Connect Fellowship Program, offered by the National Forest Foundation, invites graduate students to engage in hands-on conservation projects. This fellowship provides practical experience, mentorship from conservation professionals, and training in collaborative leadership. Fellows will gain a deep understanding of forest management and expand their professional networks. With a focus on developing future conservation leaders, the program seeks students passionate about public lands and community engagement.

SC Johnson Grants aim to enhance community welfare through charitable contributions, focusing on health, sustainability, and opportunity. Since 1937, the company has committed five percent of its pretax profits to support registered charities and nonprofit organizations, especially in areas where it operates. The grant program prioritizes initiatives addressing healthcare access, environmental conservation, and educational equity, ensuring that efforts align with the values of community service and corporate responsibility.

The Innovation Grant Program, offered by the South Carolina Department of Education, aims to support innovative initiatives in public schools to enhance student achievement. Priority is given to projects that address measurable benchmarks, innovative strategies for closing achievement gaps, and evidence-based practices. The program particularly favors applications from high poverty districts, focusing on areas like literacy, STEM, and character development, ensuring all students are prepared for future success.

The Norfolk Southern Corporate Giving: Thriving Communities Grant Program supports initiatives that promote sustainability, workforce development, and community resilience across a 22-state network. With grants ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, the program aims to foster economic development and ensure equal access to basic necessities. Eligible organizations include tax-exempt nonprofits, government entities, and public schools, emphasizing diversity and inclusion in their community-focused efforts.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers Family Literacy Grants to nonprofit organizations that support family literacy initiatives. Eligible applicants must provide services such as adult education, children's education, and parent-child engagement activities. Organizations must be located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store and have a valid IRS tax ID. This funding aims to enhance literacy skills for families, empowering individuals to achieve their educational goals.

The NAACP X Society Awards Scholarship

The NAACP x Society Awards Scholarship is one of many funding opportunities available to students through NAACP's Inspire Initiatives. We offer scholarships to outstanding and qualified students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Through the generosity of our donors, we advance efforts to ensure equity in educational opportunity that prepares students for success in school, work, and life.

Scholarship amount: $1,000 to $5,000

This is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.

Bristol Myers Squibb is dedicated to enhancing healthcare and advancing scientific knowledge through its Corporate Giving program. By supporting various organizations, BMS aims to improve health equity and access to essential medicines for underserved populations. Their focus includes charitable donations, medical education, and community support initiatives. This commitment reflects BMS's goal to make a positive impact on patients' lives and foster strong communities where their employees work and live.

The NHLBI Career Transition Award (K22) supports postdoctoral fellows and research trainees in the NHLBI Division of Intramural Research, facilitating their transition to independent research roles at extramural institutions. Key deadlines for applications include October 12, 2024, and February 12, 2025, among others, providing ample opportunity for qualified investigators to advance their careers.

Cultural Sustainability, a collaborative initiative by The Wallace Foundation and U.S. Regional Arts Organizations, aims to support arts organizations rooted in communities of color with annual expenses below $500,000. This program promotes equity and inclusion while studying how these organizations define their well-being. With grants totaling over $1.14 million available, the initiative seeks to empower underrepresented communities and enhance their cultural contributions, ultimately fostering a more inclusive arts landscape.

Bell's Brewery Small Grassroots Grants support projects focusing on water stewardship across the Great Lakes watershed. With grant amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000, eligible organizations can apply for funding to improve ecosystem health, enhance public health through better water resource management, and promote resilience against climate-related water risks. This initiative highlights Bell's commitment to environmental stewardship and community support in all 50 states and DC.

Community Engagement Grants

Community Engagement Grants support outreach, events, trainings, workshops, celebrations and other activities that serve and engage communities experiencing poverty.

What Community Engagement Grants Support

• Activities focused in at least one of the Foundation’s focus areas:
  • economic mobility
  • housing security and/or health care
• Activities serving any of South Carolina’s 46 counties.
• One-time or occasional activities that engage communities experiencing poverty. These grants are not meant to support an organization’s core programs and activities (for example, a free medical clinic’s health care services).
• Activities that are occurring within six months of the funding date.
• Activities that benefit from a small one-time funding. Grant requests can be up to $1,500.
• Organizations cannot receive both a Community Engagement Grant and a Systems Change Grant from the Foundation in the same year. That means, if your organization has received a Systems Change Grant, you cannot apply for this grant.
• Organizations can receive one Community Engagement Grant annually.

Community Engagement Grant recipients do not need to submit reports to the Foundation.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

The Violence Against Women Act section is a Department of Justice grant-funded program created as a byproduct of the Federal Violence Against Women Act (1994). With federal aid, the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General (SCAG) established the S.T.O.P Violence Against Women program in 1996 to combat the prevalence of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking and harassment in South Carolina.

The Violence Against Women Act Program (VAWA) has two main focuses:

• Prosecuting VAWA-related crimes
• Training law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, and victim advocates on the causes, consequences, intersectionalities, and laws related to domestic violence & sexual assault crimes

To meet the goals of the program, a director, a special prosecutor, program coordinator, and program assistant collaborate to implement the statewide program.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

The purpose of the STOP program is to enhance the capacity of local communities to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies and victim services in cases involving violent crimes against women. In South Carolina, the VAWA Program goal is to provide federal funding through competitive grant awards to certified private, non-profit organizations and public/governmental agencies for projects that will provide, enhance, improve, and expand prosecution, law enforcement, court, and direct services to victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are over the age of eleven. Projects are encouraged to support male victims.

VAWA projects must develop and implement victim-centered, trauma-focused strategies that encourage collaboration among units of local government; non-profit victim service programs; state, local, and tribal courts (including juvenile courts); and Indian tribal governments. Critical partnering entities include law enforcement; prosecution; the judiciary; pretrial services; probation and parole; community-based organizations, including culturally-specific organizations; and others. Further, they must continue to solicit input during implementation to ensure that proposed activities are designed to promote the safety, confidentiality, and economic independence of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence." (34 U.S.C. § 10446).

VAWA funds may not be used to support services that focus exclusively on children or to develop sexual assault or domestic violence curricula for K-12 schools. VAWA funds may be used for an adolescent program for primary victims over the age of 11.

The Transportation Alternatives Program funds non-motorized projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities and Safe Routes to Schools infrastructure. The TA program will assist SCDOT with accomplishing its Complete Streets initiative, which requires and encourages a safe, comfortable, integrated transportation network for all users, regardless of age, ability, income, ethnicity, or mode of transportation.

The Truliant Mini Grants program offers $1,500 grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Truliant member communities. These grants support capacity building through staff training and development, along with materials for programs aligned with Truliant's focus areas: Social Mobility, Financial Wellness, and Workforce Education. Eligible organizations must have an operating budget under $500,000, be tax-exempt, and have been operating for at least three years, ensuring community engagement and sustainability.

The JFNY Grant for Arts & Cultural Exchange supports U.S. non-profit organizations aiming to enhance understanding of Japanese arts and culture. Eligible projects include performances, workshops, and exhibitions, with priority given to those with additional funding and in areas with limited access to cultural events. Applications must be submitted at least one month prior for online projects and three months for others. The grant covers expenses like travel, publicity, and artist fees, and is reimbursed upon project completion.