Search Through Grants for After School Programs in South Carolina in the U.S.

About Us

Academy Sports + Outdoors is one of the nation's largest sporting goods and outdoor stores. With 301 stores across 21 states, we offer a broad assortment of quality hunting, fishing, and camping equipment and gear, along with sports and leisure products, footwear, apparel and much more.

Community Relations

By providing members of our communities with the right gear and knowledge while also promoting safety and responsibility, we empower people with the confidence to simply get active, have fun together, and enjoy life.

Our Pillars

• Empower
  • Academy Sports + Outdoors encourages safety so that everyone can feel confident and comfortable doing what they love. We help people gear up properly for sports and outdoor activities, and we promote ways to be smart and stay safe. We’ve got your back… and the rest of you too.
• Encourage
  • Academy Sports + Outdoors makes it possible for people to enjoy more sports and outdoors activities. We believe being active is an essential part of life. Starting with our assortment, we motivate people to try new things and give them opportunities to enjoy a variety of fun activities. We’re always game.
• Connect
  • Academy Sports + Outdoors creates ways for members of the community to connect and have fun with each other. We build connections within the community by supporting events, programs, and organizations that make a positive impact. Let’s get together.

About Us

Our Mission

The mission of The Auto Club Group Foundation is to work on behalf of our members and the communities we serve to create lasting solutions, inspire learning and provide funding in the areas of traffic safety, driver education and financial literacy.

Our History

In 1902, nine motor clubs across the country joined together to form the American Automobile Association (AAA) to protect the rights and interests of automobile users and promote better highway and traffic safety. Today, The Auto Club Group Foundation continues to support those interests by investing in traffic safety, driver education and financial literacy initiatives. The Auto Club Group Foundation which is a private Foundation, represents 14 states and 2 U.S territories, and is an integral part of AAA's evolution and success.

How We Work

Our approach to grant funding comes from a very basic principle which is to have an understanding of the goals and objectives of local communities. Our relationships, which have developed from years of community service, allow us to offer support in a more impactful and meaningful way.

The Auto Club Group Foundation, which is a private foundation, is funded by our sponsoring organization, AAA – The Auto Club Group. We award grants to organizations and initiatives that enhance our mission in the areas of Traffic Safety, Driver Education and Financial Literacy throughout our 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories.

Priority Areas

Traffic Safety

The Auto Club Group Foundation is dedicated to supporting traffic safety programs and initiatives that make our roadways safer for all users. The ACG Foundation strives to be responsive to emerging traffic safety issues by considering grant applications that are forward thinking and address new technology.

Financial Literacy

The Auto Club Group Foundation supports financial literacy programming in grades K – 12, empowering students with the tools they need to make sound financial decisions.

Driver Education 

The Auto Club Group Foundation wants to ensure everyone has access to quality driver education by supporting scholarships and programming needs in underserved communities.

About

The Carolina Bird Club is a non-profit organization which represents and supports the birding community in the Carolinas through its official website, publications, meetings, workshops, trips, and partnerships, whose mission is:

• To promote the observation, enjoyment, and study of birds.
• To provide opportunities for birders to become acquainted, and to share information and experience.
• To maintain well-documented records of birds in the Carolinas.
• To support the protection and conservation of birds and their habitats and foster an appreciation and respect of natural resources.
• To promote educational opportunities in bird and nature study.
• To support research on birds of the Carolinas and their habitats.

Research, Monitoring, and Education Grants

The CBC provides grants to support research, education and conservation of birds of the Carolinas and their habitats.

For student research projects, applications require the sponsorship of a faculty member. For secondary school programs, applications require a letter of support from the school principal.

Applications should be prepared directly by the applicant and should include:

• A scope of work (limited to two single-spaced pages), including species to be studied and the site where the work will be conducted.
• Research should address a local, regional, national, or hemispheric conservation needs of a species, species group, or species habitat association (shorebirds, waterbirds, etc., or managed wetlands, forested wetlands, longleaf pine, etc.)
• Research should inform management and/or conservation activities for a species or group of species, and should be applicable to North and South Carolina.
• For education grants, please explain how activities will affect, improve, or alleviate threats to birds and bird populations, or result in future and related conservation for birds.
• A detailed budget.
• Appropriate course work and other activities that would indicate that the applicant is capable of performing the described research.
• A letter of support from the faculty sponsor or school principal.
• Details of the starting date of the research and the time period for which funding is requested.
• The name of the payee and the address to which a check should be mailed.

Significant research findings will be reviewed for possible publication in The Chat, the ornithological journal of the CBC. Also, awardees may be invited to present their findings at a seasonal meeting of the CBC. In that case the CBC will cover all reasonable expenses incurred by the presenter.

What does this program do?

This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

What is an eligible area?

Rural areas including cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible for this program.

How may funds be used?

Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.

Examples of essential community facilities include:

• Health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
• Public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, airport hangars or street improvements.
• Community support services such as child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing.
• Public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles or equipment.
• Educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools.
• Utility services such as telemedicine or distance learning equipment.
• Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses.

Grant Approval

Applicant must be eligible for grant assistance, which is provided on a graduated scale with smaller communities with the lowest median household income being eligible for projects with a higher proportion of grant funds. Grant assistance is limited to the following percentages of eligible project costs:

Maximum of 75 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 5,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 60 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 55 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 12,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 70 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 35 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 80 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 15 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 90 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income. The proposed project must meet both percentage criteria. Grants are further limited.

Charitable Investments

CSX is proud to support people and organizations that in turn honor those who serve our communities. We offer monetary and in-kind resources to nonprofit organizations advocating for the betterment of our nation’s military members or community first responders, and have additional resources available to support other community efforts.

In Kind Donations

Intermodal Transportation Services

Intermodal transportation services provide applicable organizations with intermodal equipment and rail service throughout the CSX rail network, and afford these organizations an opportunity to reduce or eliminate their transportation spending.

Ideally, intermodal moves work best when freight is moving 500 miles or more. However, the in-kind moves program requires only that freight have an origin and destination within a combined 250 miles’ distance to a CSX intermodal facility.

CSX’s door-to-door product is an ideal solution for the in-kind moves program, as our trained team will pick up your freight at its origin and transport it to a terminal to be placed on an intermodal train. Then, we will pick up your freight at the destination terminal and deliver it directly to its endpoint. The door-to-door network provides service across the Eastern United States with its large nationwide network and trucking capability.

CSX will also work with you to determine the type of equipment that is an ideal fit to transport your freight. CSX has a large fleet of rail-owned containers, as well as an expansive network of channel partners that can provide equipment to fit your needs.

Railroad Equipment and Materials

CSX occasionally donates materials, supplies and used railroad equipment based on availability. The online in-kind application can be used to request the donation of railroad-related items, including retired rail cars when available. Please note that rail, rail ties and spikes are not available for donation or purchase. Applicants will be contacted if the requested item becomes available within 90 days of their online submittal. At that time, arrangements will be made to transfer possession of the requested item. All applicants will be asked to re-submit their application at a later date if the requested item does not become available within the 90-day period.

Local Impact Grants

The Duke Energy Foundation is focused on strengthening and uplifting communities throughout South Carolina with grant funding. We accept grant applications for $20,000 and less throughout the year on a rolling basis for the focus areas describe below.

Vibrant Economies

• Workforce development training for jobs vital to the energy economy, with a focus on underrepresented populations
• Community revitalization and local economic development efforts
• Economic recovery for customers and communities facing unprecedented challenges
• Energy and engineering education for K-12 students and teachers

Climate Resiliency

• Environmental projects supporting land conservation; clean water; and biodiversity of plant and animal species
• Environmental resiliency projects that prepare communities for and mitigate against the effects of climate change
• Natural disaster preparedness and response
• Projects strengthening thriving natural environments, including access to green space, in historically underserved communities.

Opportunity and Inclusion

• Programs supporting a just transition for communities moving toward cleaner energy infrastructure
• Initiatives supporting upward mobility for families and individuals in the communities we serve
• Programs reducing structural barriers and promoting access to opportunity for underserved communities

Merchandise Donation Requests

The Panthers are proud to assist non-profit organizations in North and South Carolina through the team's merchandise donation program. The team supports the important work of our region's non-profit agencies with donations of Carolina Panthers memorabilia for auctions, raffles and other fundraising events. 

Overview

SCCF supports Christian non-profit organizations sharing the Gospel with those outside the walls of a local church. For this reason, ministries such as churches and church-based schools are generally not funded, unless applying for special community projects or efforts, through SCCF's Community Trust Grants Program.

Community Trust Grants

South Carolina Christian Foundation established Community Trusts to better serve the current and emerging needs of ministries across the state. These are awarded on an annual basis. Requests for Proposals are released in July with awards announced in October. Select ministries who have completed the Ministry Profile will be invited to apply at the appropriate time.

Ministry Guidelines - Updated June 2024

SCCF established Community Trusts to better serve the current and emerging needs of ministries across the state. Opportunities for Community Trust grants are available in Spartanburg, Greenville, and York Counties, and along the Grand Strand in Horry and Georgetown Counties. Invitations to apply are sent in July with awards announced in October.

South Carolina Humanities

South Carolina Humanities' mission is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians.

Established in 1973, this 501(c) 3 organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. SC Humanities presents and/or supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually.

Humanities disciplines include history, literature, folklore, philosophy, comparative religion, archaeology, African American studies, Southern studies, linguistics, ethics, jurisprudence, political science, anthropology, international studies, art theory and criticism and Women’s Studies.

Our programs and activities take place in town halls, small and large museums, libraries, schools, colleges and universities—any place that people come together to share, to learn and to have enlightening conversations about our world and our place in it.

Mini Grants

Mini Grants are to support public humanities programs of modest cost. Awards are $5,000 or less. Mini Grants are reviewed monthly with deadlines on the first business day of the month. 

Mission

The Spartanburg County Foundation is committed to improving the lives of Spartanburg County residents by promoting philanthropy, encouraging community engagement, and responding to community needs.

Continuous Improvement Grant

Continuous Improvement Grants of up to $35,000 are focused on supporting nonprofit organizations that align with the three amplified areas in the Foundation’s vision statement: quality of life, educational achievement, and economic mobility. These grants are designed to help strengthen efforts in these vital areas, ensuring all Spartanburg County residents can reach their full human potential.

• Quality of Life: This area addresses opportunities to improve the overall well-being of Spartanburg County residents through access to community and cultural programs, activities, and green spaces; improvement of physical and mental health with cultural competence; and access to resources that provide household stability. Examples of these opportunities may include, but are not limited to:
  • Community/cultural programs, physical activities that strengthen health and well-being, outdoor spaces accessible to the community
  • Care for uninsured adults and children, Spanish speaking staff, programs to address mental health needs for diverse populations
  • Mobile food markets, rent/mortgaging assistance, utility assistance, home repairs
• Educational Achievement: This area is focused on reducing barriers to academic success and improving the educational achievement of Spartanburg County residents through supportive services and programs for K-12 students, access to post-secondary education and careers, and opportunities for return-to-learn adults. Examples of these opportunities may include, but are not limited to:
  • Mentoring, out-of-school-time programs, summer learning/learning loss prevention
  • Internships, programs for first-year college students
  • GED completion, internet access, books and other academic materials
• Economic Mobility: This area is focused on improving the potential for upward economic mobility in the Spartanburg County community through increased ability for financial self-sufficiency, opportunities for asset building, and access to affordable and reliable transportation. Examples of these opportunities may include, but are not limited to:
  • Job training/certification, job search/placement, financial coaching
  • Small/minority business development, home ownership assistance programs
  • Supplements for transportation costs, transportation programs for rural areas, ride sharing

Detailed Program Description

Grants of up to $2,500 for organizations to make arts programs accessible to persons with disabilities.

The Southeast is home to some of the world’s more diverse and vibrant artistic communities. At South Arts, we believe that the arts are for everyone. The arts enrich the lives of people of all abilities and backgrounds. In our commitment to amplifying the success of the Southeast’s arts ecology, South Arts offers micro-funding to supplement the efforts of arts organizations throughout our service area.

Art making is for everyone too! South Arts encourages arts organizations to hire artistic personnel of all abilities at all levels; for these grants in particular, we encourage arts organizations to work directly with artists who identify as disabled. 

Through our partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, South Arts offers small grants that compliment existing efforts by arts organizations to include audiences and artists with disabilities. Accessibility micro-grants are available to support Nonprofit, 501c3, arts organizations located within the South Arts Service region states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. This funding program is open to a wide variety of organizations, including community cultural organizations, museums, performing arts presenters, theatre companies, visual arts and music organizations. Priority funding will be given to new applicants to South Arts.

South Arts has prioritized the following:

• South Arts prioritizes applications from BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ identifying organizations.
• South Arts prioritizes applications from organizations led by persons with disabilities or organizations that provide significant programming to artists or audiences with disabilities.
• South Arts is committed to funding artists organizations in rural communities (with populations under 50,000).
• Primary consideration will be given to new applicants.

Usage 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

• Usage of large print or braille program materials for patrons/audiences with low vision
• Artist/consultant fees to provide accessibility training or audits
• Transportation of constituents or performers with disabilities
• Preparation for special exhibitions (i.e. space modifications or accessibility audit)
• 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 to learn about accessibility as it relates to programming, operations, or facilities modifications (i.e. travel to a workshop and/or training)
• Other accommodations that make programs accessible

Facilities Enhancements

• Accessibility signage for exterior and/or interior space
• Modification of restroom(s) signage
• Modification to drinking fountain(s) signage
• Installation of Braille plaques

4K Arts Integration Grants

Purpose

These grants help CERDEP preschool providers offer arts-integrated experiences for students and professional learning opportunities for teachers to use the arts to increase kindergarten readiness.

Projects may be considered to increase kindergarten readiness by:

• building connections between the arts and other subject areas in a meaningful
• providing artist-in-residence experiences for students that include professional learning for teachers
• supporting teachers in implementing projects based on professional learning in arts integration
• addressing gaps in arts access that have previously impeded learning in the classroom

Although there is not one singular definition for arts integration, the SCAC finds that the Kennedy’s Center’s comprehensive definition of Arts Integration is a worthy model.

Funding

• Up to $2,000 per fiscal year
• Matching Requirement: 1:3 (grantee:SCAC); no match for qualifying providers. No match is required for CERDEP preschool providers located in the Opportunity Initiative Counties.

Cross-Sector Impact Grants

South Arts’ mission is advancing Southern vitality through the arts, and this program addresses a strategic goal to cultivate and strengthen deep, cross-sector partnerships that are artist and community centered. As our communities continue to change, the arts play an incomparable role in addressing many of our communal and individual challenges and strengths. The value of partnership and working together across sectors brings new opportunities, increased effectiveness, and greater depth to our collective work. Through this program, South Arts seeks to provide significant support to projects developed by partners that harness the power of “Arts & …” (these are projects at the intersection of arts and other sectors). This year, we are shifting to a new program model.

Over the next three years, South Arts is committed to one community impact area – Health and Wellness. Eligible projects must focus on the “Arts & Health and Wellness” theme - for example, arts & mental wellness or arts & physical health. Matching grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded to support approximately 18 projects. We anticipate funding these 18 projects for three grant cycles and expect applicants to commit to the collaborative work for a three-year duration. Funding will be awarded in three separate fiscal years with streamlined, grant renewal forms submitted for cycles two and three. Matching grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to continue or advance the project with the same two partners in cycles two and three.  

South Arts’ mission is advancing Southern vitality through the arts. This program addresses two of South Arts’ strategic goals:

• Connect artists and arts professionals in the South to resources that will increase opportunities for success within and outside the region
• Advance impactful arts-based programs that recognize and address trends and evolving needs of a wide range of communities in the South

Project Requirements

SSouth Arts welcomes applications from partnering entities working together on a project that addresses Arts & Health and Wellness through cross-sector partnerships. Projects must utilize the arts as a tool in creative approaches to address and advance a health and wellness issue that is of importance in their community. Projects should also establish or advance relationships across at least two different sectors, one being in the arts. 

Arts disciplines may include, but are not limited to:

• Performing arts, including dance, music, theater, musical theater, opera;
• Literary arts, including fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry;
• Visual arts, including craft, drawing, experimental, painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media;
• Film or media;
• Traditional and folk arts, including music, craft, storytelling, dance; or
• Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary artforms.

Community impact areas may include, but are not limited to:

• Physical (overall well-being and the ability of the body to function properly);
• Mental/Emotional (overall well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life and their emotions);
• Social (overall well-being that stems from connection and community); or
• Occupational (overall physical, mental, and social well-being of workers). 

Matching Requirements

The minimum grant request is $5,000 and the maximum request is $15,000 (subject to funding availability). A match of at least 1:2 is required; meaning for each grant dollar, the grantee must provide $.50 towards the project expenses. For returning grantees, in cycles two and three, the maximum request is $10,000 (subject to funding availability).

Up to half of the match may be comprised of in-kind contributions such as donated materials, donated services, or other contributed non-cash assets or staff time diverted to this project. At least half of the match must be cash. For staff time diverted to this project, up to 10% of the total project expenses, but no more than $5,000 can be included as a cash expense or cash match for staff time. The remaining staff time must be an in-kind contribution. Contracted individuals and services specifically for this project are eligible cash expenses. 

Who We Are

The roots of the Community Foundation for the CSRA run deep in Augusta and its surrounding communities. For more than 25 years, we have faithfully connected the philanthropic spirit of our community members with nonprofits and community initiatives throughout Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie and Burke counties in Georgia and Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina. All of our work is grounded in our collective desire to enhance the quality of life for all residents of our region — for today and tomorrow.

In everything we do, we strive to:

• Cultivate generosity by giving donors the tools and information they need to make a significant difference in our community
• Strengthen non-profits by connecting organizations to financial resources, training and opportunities for meaningful collaboration
• Engage our community around issues that matter to us all

Women in Philanthropy

Women in Philanthropy is a charitable organization of over 200 women in the Central Savannah River Area of Georgia and South Carolina who are committed to a philanthropic effort focused on the unique needs of women and children within the local communities.

Focus Areas:

• Arts
• Education
• Health and Social-Well Being

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.

Emerging Arts Leaders Grant

Purpose

To strengthen and nurture emerging arts leaders and their organizations. This leadership- and capacity-building initiative will provide resources, training, and support for emerging leaders and the boards of arts nonprofits to build sustainability, capacity, and partnerships in South Carolina.

Program goal

• Support professional growth and leadership training in the arts.
• Strengthen the small organizations’ operational capacity.
• Develop and strengthen South Carolina’s Arts Industry workforce.

Additional Requirements of this Grant

• Attend two (2) one-on-one meetings with the SCAC program director
• Participate in one (1) peer network activity hosted by or identified by the SCAC program director
• Host a site visit during the grant period, aligned with state guidelines regarding COVID-19.

Funding

$2,500 ($1,500 for organization training and $1,000 for leader training)

Purpose

The purpose of the Summer Arts Education Project Grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) is to support quality arts education programs for K-12 students between school years, 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 K-12 students. This two-year grant supports projects occurring during the summers of 2022 and 2023.

Activities should

• Expand student access to arts education opportunities; and
• Complement, augment, or advance standards-based arts instruction or arts integration activities delivered to students during the course of the school day curriculum; and
• Be focused on or include significant components delivering quality instruction and/or experiences in the visual arts, performing arts, media arts, design arts, folk and traditional arts, or creative writing; and
• Address South Carolina’s 2017 College and Career Ready Standards for Visual and Performing Arts Proficiency.

If you are hiring artists:

Starting in Fiscal Year 2022 (July 2021), SCAC Arts in Education grant recipients must use members of the S.C. Arts Directory for grant-funded group lectures, demonstrations, performances, classroom residencies, and short-term arts teaching experiences. Artists labeled as Certified Teaching Artists on the Directory have been additionally vetted by SCAC through the submission of sample lesson plans, recorded teaching samples, and letters of recommendation; we encourage but do not require grant-funded teaching artist residencies to employ Certified Teaching Artists. Additionally, Arts Access SC Teaching Artists have trained with Arts Access SC to provide children, youth, and adults with disabilities quality arts experiences. Note: Schools should check with their district office about policies related to hiring artists, arts organizations, and teaching artists.

Funding

Up to $50,000 ($25,000 per summer)

Matching Requirements

• 1:2 (grantee:SCAC)
• At least 50% of the applicant’s match must be cash.
• Funds from another SCAC grant may not be used as matching funds.

About School-Based Healthcare Solutions Network (SBHSN).

Utilizing a unique framework of funding systems offered by the Department of Health and Human Services, managed care organizations, health insurers, and private donors, SBHSN promotes a system of care model (Coaching Model℠) offering a mix of evidenced-based intervention, prevention, and care coordination services to children in grades K-12. The Coaching Model aims to expand quality mental healthcare access on public school campuses and improve children's social, emotional, behavioral, family, and wellness outcomes.

School-Based Mental Health Implementation Grant

In response to the growing number of students who need mental health counseling, the School-Based Healthcare Solutions Network (SBHSN) is accepting applications from Local Education Agencies (LEA), Public and Private Universities, State and local Colleges, Charter School Management Companies, Public Schools, Charter Schools, and Non-Profit Organizations (501c3) to implement and expand mental health program services on local school campuses. Grantees will receive direct funding and reimbursement to support the following activities: 

• Expanding access to School-Based Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).
• Coordinating mental healthcare services with school administration and staff. 
• Delivering mental healthcare services and coordinating academic-support activities to students with a history of attendance, behavior, and poor academic performance.

FUNDING

5-Years, renewable based on meeting performance goals 5-year award ceiling is $5,500,000.

Presentation Grants Program

Presentation Grants are an opportunity for organizations in South Arts' nine-state region to receive fee support to present Southern guest film directors, visual and performing artists, or writers from outside of the presenter's state. Artist fee support is awarded for:

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

Projects must include both a public presentation (film screening, performance, reading, or exhibition) and an educational/community engagement component. These grants are limited and very competitive. Based on the artist fee, the maximum request is $9,500 for modern dance and contemporary ballet or $7,500 for other artistic disciplines. 

South Arts is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We have prioritized this commitment to ensure that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) led organizations, LGBTQIA+ led organizations, and organizations representing persons with disabilities are represented as both applicants and grantees. In addition, we encourage applications for projects that engage BIPOC artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, and artists with disabilities.

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. 

At Delta Dental of South Carolina our passion and our purpose is to improve oral health for all ages. We fulfill this mission in part through our oral health grant program.

The objectives of the Delta Dental of South Carolina Grant Program are to:

• Reduce oral disease through education, prevention and treatment.
• Ensure access to affordable, timely and high-quality dental health care.
• Enhance the awareness of good oral health with a focus on children, the indigent, and other underserved populations.
• Make a measurable difference in the oral health of South Carolinians, with an emphasis on underserved populations.
• Ensure that South Carolina is among the states with the highest indicators of oral health.

Grants are generally awarded for:

• Project/Program/Restricted
• Capacity Building
• Equipment
• Minimum Grant Amount: Over $5,000 (requests for $5,000 or less should be submitted through the community donations application)
• Maximum Grant Amount: $100,000

All approved grants will be for a single year of support. Organizations should only submit one (1) grant request per organization per year. Additional requests will not be considered for funding. Grant funding is only guaranteed for the one-year grant term and does not necessarily indicate continuing support in subsequent years.

Objectives

The objectives of the Delta Dental of Missouri Grant Program are to:

• Reduce oral disease through education, prevention and treatment.
• Ensure access to affordable, timely and high-quality dental health care.
• Enhance the awareness of good oral health with a focus on children, the indigent, and other underserved populations.
• Make a measurable difference in the oral health of Missourians, with an emphasis on underserved populations.
• Ensure that Missouri is among the states with the highest indicators of oral health.

Grants are generally awarded for: 

• Project/Program/Restricted 
• General Operating/Unrestricted
• Capacity Building
• Equipment

Minimum Grant Amount: Over $5,000 (requests for $5,000 or less should be submitted through the community donations application)

Maximum Grant Amount: $100,000

All approved grants will be for a single year of support. Organizations should only submit one (1) grant request per organization per year. Additional requests will not be considered for funding. Grant funding is only guaranteed for the one-year grant term and does not necessarily indicate continuing support in subsequent years. 

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 This Grant

Traditional arts are expressions of shared identity that are learned as a part of the cultural life of a particular group. This shared identity may be rooted in family, geographic, tribal, occupational, religious or ethnic connections, among others. As expressions of a living culture, traditional arts have been handed down from one generation to the next and reflect the shared experience, aesthetics and values of a group.

The purpose of the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC)’s Folklife & Traditional Arts grant program is to ensure that South Carolina’s living traditions remain vibrant and visible parts of community life. The Folklife & Traditional Arts grant supports non-profit organizations and units of governments that seek to promote and sustain the traditional arts practiced across the state.

Use of Funds

The Folklife & Traditional Arts grant funds projects that may include (but are not limited to):

• Presentation of Traditional Artists through workshops, concerts, festivals, exhibitions, radio programs, recordings, etc.
• Documentation of Traditional Arts and/or Folklife of South Carolina (Note: Such a project must result in some form of public presentation, whether through programming or access to archived materials.)
• Cultural Survey: Fieldwork done to identify traditions and traditional artists
• Production, Documentation and/or Distribution of a traditional artist’s work (for example, the production of publicity materials)
• Acquisition of difficult-to-obtain materials or equipment needed to create traditional art
• Conservation: Projects, such as apprenticeships, that serve to keep a traditional art form vibrant and visible

Description

The purpose of the Innovation Grant Program is to support innovative pilot initiatives in public school districts and schools that include the criteria listed in Proviso 1A.56 of H. 4025, the General Appropriations Bill of 2025, 1st Regular Session of the 126th South Carolina General Assembly.

Funding Details

Criteria the Innovation Grants Committee will consider includes:

• Identification of key measurable benchmarks to raise student achievement and ensure all students are prepared to graduate college, career and civic ready;
• Innovative strategies to close student achievement gaps in reading and mathematics, with a focus on schools with an academic achievement rating of below average and unsatisfactory;
• A demonstrated ability to implement the initiative or model as outlined in the application; and
• A demonstrated ability to be both replicable and scalable with priority given to projects grounded in evidence-based practices that have significantly impacted student achievement outcomes.

Additionally, public school districts and schools that have high poverty and low achievement will receive priority for grants when their applications are judged to meet the criteria established for the grant program.

Applicants must indicate in their application which of the following priority area will be addressed by their proposed program:

• Literacy
• Raise student achievement to ensure College, Career, and Military readiness
• Close student achievement gaps, with a focus on below average and unsatisfactory schools
• Applied Learning and Workforce Development
• STEM/STEAM
• Character Development
• Civics Education.

Grantees are required to participate in an external evaluation using an evaluator approved by the Department. 

Pete Smith was born in 1908, and Sally Smith was born in 1906. They both were originally from Michigan. Each completed undergraduate studies at Michigan State University, Pete with a degree in liberal arts and Sally with a degree in math. Pete went on to earn an MBA from Harvard University.The majority of the couple’s working lives were spent in Tennessee in the area of Rhea County, where they operated the Watts Bar Resort for many years. The resort was located on property leased from the TVA. There were cabins on the property which had been renovated by the Smiths, and the resort operated from spring through fall. The Smiths also traveled extensively, and there was a game room at the resort featuring Pete’s safari trophies. The resort offered horseback riding, boating on the lake, fishing, and swimming, as well as an on-site restaurant. Landscaping was maintained at a high level, and bird feeders were provided. The Smiths were also car aficionados.The Smiths spent their later years in Seneca, SC (Oconee County) where they were closer to some of Sally’s family, one of whom suffered from Alzheimer’s. Pete Smith died in 1979 of kidney disease, and Sally Smith died in 1992.

Mission

To support charitable causes in the areas of education, environment, and medical research/disease management in Rhea County, Tennessee and Oconee County, South Carolina.

Program areas

• Education
• Environment, animals
• Health

Cleon W. Mauldin Foundation Trust Grant

The Cleon W. Mauldin Foundation was created under the Last Will and Testament of Cleon W. Mauldin upon his death in 1998. Mr. Mauldin, a resident of Richmond County, Georgia, retired as the librarian and stage manager of the Augusta Symphony Orchestra. He was a graduate of Furman University and the University of Virginia. Mr. Mauldin established the Augusta Symphony’s endowment fund with a gift in honor of his mother. He was a founding member of the Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society. Mr. Mauldin stated in his Will that the Trustee should “take into consideration [his] lifelong interest in the arts, particularly music, dance and ballet and education in these fields” when making grants to charitable organizations.

Grants will be made to Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) organizations to promote arts programs, to create opportunities for the youth to explore the arts, to advocate for the advancement of the arts, to support broadcasts of musical programs, to provide scholarships to young musicians, to develop arts education programs in schools, and to acquire music and art equipment.

Mission

To promote the arts in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) of Georgia and South Carolina by supporting arts education programs as well as music, dance, and ballet organizations.

Program areas

• Arts, culture, and humanities
• Education

Program limitations/Grantmaking priorities

There are no program limitations; however, due to the grantor’s preferences, the foundation has a practice of primarily supporting charitable organizations that promote the arts (particularly music, dance, and ballet) as well as education in these fields.

States served

• Georgia
• South Carolina