Best Grants for BIPOC in South Carolina

Power:Ed offers grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 for initiatives benefiting South Carolina residents and students. The program focuses on supporting low-income, underserved, and first-generation students, improving access to college, and creating pathways to quality workforce opportunities. Applications are accepted year-round with quarterly reviews following set deadlines. Eligible organizations must be dedicated to enhancing education and career readiness for South Carolina's residents, while ineligible projects include Pre-K programs and routine operating expenses.

The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, in partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), aims to enhance the quality, safety, and accessibility of community football fields. With grants up to $250,000, this initiative addresses the critical lack of safe recreation spaces in low-income neighborhoods, ensuring children and adults have access to well-maintained facilities for gathering and exercise, ultimately fostering community health and well-being.

The Honda USA Foundation provides funding to support mobility initiatives that empower individuals, particularly those facing disabilities, by removing barriers and expanding opportunities. Focused on sustainable change in underserved communities, the Foundation encourages applications for programs in education, infrastructure, and technology that align with its commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Eligible organizations must be based in the U.S. with appropriate tax-exempt status and can apply for multiple funding opportunities while adhering to specific eligibility criteria.

The Delta Dental of Missouri Grant Program aims to improve oral health in Missouri by funding initiatives that reduce oral disease, enhance access to quality dental care, and raise awareness, particularly among underserved populations. Grants range from over $5,000 to $100,000 and are awarded for one year, focusing on projects that increase access to care and demonstrate matching funds from other sources.

Alzheimer’s Resource Coordination Center (ARCC)

Overview

The Alzheimer’s Resource Coordination Center (ARCC), located within the South Carolina Department on Aging, was established by state legislation in 1994. The Center’s goal is to serve as a statewide focal point for coordination, service development, information, and education to assist persons with ADRD and their families. The ARCC is guided by a Governor-appointed advisory council composed of representatives from state agencies, organizations, and caregivers who have a special interest in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). The advisory council aids the ARCC in meeting its goals of:  

• Initiating the development of systems which coordinate the delivery of programs and services
• Facilitating the coordination and integration of research, program development, planning, and quality assurance
• Identifying potential users of services and gaps in the service delivery system and expanding methods and resources to enhance statewide services
• Serving as a resource for education, research, and training and providing information and referral services
• Providing technical assistance for the development of support groups and other local initiatives to serve individuals, families, and caregivers
• Recommending public policy concerning Alzheimer's disease and related disorders to state policymakers
• Facilitating the coordination and integration of educational initiatives for healthcare providers on the importance and value of early detection and timely diagnosis of cognitive impairment, validated cognitive assessment tools, and increasing understanding and awareness of early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia and how to reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

The ARCC is staffed by the Dementia Coordinator whose role is to monitor the state’s service delivery system and work closely with the ARCC Advisory Council to develop a coordinated state-wide delivery system that caters to the needs of persons with ADRD, their families, caregivers, and communities. Additionally, the Dementia Coordinator is responsible for submitting an annual report to the Chairman of the Medical Affairs Committee of the Senate and the Chairman of the Medical, Military, Public, and Municipal Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives on the activities of the ARCC.

ARCC Grants

Each year, the ARCC receives $150,000 to award dementia-specific grants to community organizations to support respite, education, and innovative programs for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, their families, caregivers, and communities. Grants are awarded on a 2-year cycle through a competitive selection process. 

Since its establishment in 1995, the ARCC Grants Program has awarded over 388 grants to community organizations that provide services to individuals, families, and communities affected by dementia. These services include dementia-specific respite, adult day programs, and educational programs that support the medical community, colleges and universities, first responders, and the general public. The ARCC grants have enabled more than 7,717 individuals living with ADRD to access respite care services and provided education services to over 78,117 participants. Moreover, since 2021, ARCC grants have supported the implementation of 17 innovative programs. These programs include virtual training for family caregivers, in-home activities that promote sustainability and independence in daily living for those with dementia, and technology that helps locate and safely return those with dementia who may have wandered from home.

During the FY25 grant period (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025), a total of 10 ARCC grants were awarded, providing services across 14 counties. 

The Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants in South Carolina provide critical funding to assist eligible communities in preparing for or recovering from emergencies that threaten safe drinking water availability. These grants, ranging up to $1 million, support various needs including construction of water sources and repairing distribution lines. This program aims to restore access to clean water in rural areas and promote environmental sustainability, thereby benefiting households and businesses affected by disasters.

The Connections to Care initiative aims to modernize and expand digital infrastructure across South Carolina’s rural healthcare ecosystem. This grant opportunity seeks proposals from eligible organizations to implement or enhance electronic health records (EHRs) and remote patient monitoring (RPM).

The Wellness Within Reach initiative aims to bring high-quality, face-to-face healthcare directly to rural South Carolina communities through mobile units, crisis response teams, and community-based care sites This grant opportunity seeks proposals from eligible organizations to strengthen South Carolina’s mobile crisis response and expand community care sites.

The EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement-Focused Collaborations Program (RII-FEC) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible jurisdictions by fostering partnerships among government, higher education, and industry. This program supports interdisciplinary teams of researchers to tackle significant challenges in STEM fields, promoting diversity and broadening participation. By integrating Minority-Serving Institutions and early-career faculty from underrepresented backgrounds, RII-FEC seeks to build sustainable STEM capacity and drive impactful discoveries across regions.

The Connecting Joy Grant, provided by the Joy in Childhood Foundation, aims to enhance the hospital experience for children battling illness through engaging gaming programs. This initiative supports children's hospitals and nonprofits by funding equipment, staffing, and connectivity, ensuring children can enjoy gaming at their bedside. With grants ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, the program focuses on offering joy and distraction, helping young patients cope with their hospital stays while facilitating connections with peers.

The L.B. Research and Education Foundation Grant Program supports U.S.-based nonprofits focusing on innovative education and health solutions for underserved populations. Eligible organizations can apply by submitting a 400-word concept paper, and selected applicants may receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. The Foundation prioritizes projects that foster critical thinking and creativity, address health disparities, and encourage collaboration. There are no application deadlines, promoting year-round engagement.

The SC AmeriCorps Formula Grant, funded by the United Way Association of South Carolina, provides financial support ranging from $140,000 to $400,000 for organizations to enhance their service capacity through AmeriCorps Members. These members receive living allowances, education awards, and health benefits while focusing on areas such as education, economic opportunity, and disaster services. Organizations must match 24% of project costs if they are new to grant funding.

The Emerging Destination Marketing Grant Program supports the growth of South Carolina's tourism by providing funding to eligible non-profit organizations. With grants ranging from $100,000 to $200,000, matched 2 to 1 with private funds, this program aims to enhance out-of-state marketing efforts. Eligible applicants must demonstrate significant tourism marketing experience, focusing on generating new visitation and improving local quality of life. This initiative is crucial for bolstering South Carolina's economy through sustainable tourism development.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

The Watson-Brown Foundation Grant supports organizations dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the South. It offers various types of grants, including for educational programming and historic preservation, with a focus on southern studies. Eligible recipients include public charities in the southeastern United States. The Foundation's Junior Board of Trustees also awards grants to preservation projects in east central Georgia, emphasizing youth engagement in cultural heritage.

The Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program, offered by The Nature Conservancy, provides up to $100,000 for projects that acquire land and easements throughout the Appalachian region. This program emphasizes equitable conservation, aiming to support historically marginalized communities and enhance access to nature while addressing climate change impacts. Projects must demonstrate community engagement and align with the program's goals to protect vital habitats and foster resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

2026-27 Career Cluster Partnership Program

Description

The South Carolina General Assembly has provided funds to the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) through a legislative proviso (H. 5126 General Appropriations Bill, Proviso 1A.27) for one year to award grants on a competitive basis to private-sector statewide trade associations that provide nationally certified programs in career and technical education representing the automotive, construction, engineering, healthcare, mechanical contracting/construction, and hospitality and tourism career clusters. The purpose of this program is to support instructor/student training and student testing in industry clusters to increase the state’s skilled workforce. The SCDE administers the program through its Office of Career Readiness (OCR).

The Delta Dental of South Carolina Oral Health Grant Program aims to enhance oral health across all ages, particularly focusing on underserved populations. The program seeks to reduce oral diseases through education and ensure access to quality dental care. Grants ranging from over $5,000 to $100,000 are available for projects that demonstrate measurable impacts on oral health, especially in rural areas. Eligible organizations include public charities and governmental entities serving South Carolinians.

The 2025-26 Federal Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) Subgrant Program, offered by the South Carolina Department of Education, aims to fund organizations that provide education on sexual risk avoidance for youth aged 10-19. With approximately $1.11 million available, subawards range from $100,000 to $600,000. The program emphasizes personal responsibility, self-regulation, and healthy decision-making, promoting abstinence-until-marriage while addressing youth risk behaviors like substance abuse. Applications are encouraged from qualified non-profits.

Senior Centers and Permanent Improvement Project Grant

The Older Americans Act identifies the South Carolina Department on Aging (SCDOA) as a leader in the development of multipurpose senior centers. Currently, the state has three nationally certified senior centers. Several additional centers are fully operational but have not yet achieved certification, while others operate solely as group dining sites.

Senior Center Permanent Improvement Project (PIP) Grant Program

 It is the intent of the South Carolina Department on Aging for all multipurpose senior centers to be focal points in their respective communities. The Older Americans Act (OAA) defines a focal point as a facility established to encourage the maximum collocation and coordination of services for older individuals.

A focal point is a facility established to provide local leadership on aging issues, to provide older adults access to services at a central location with customer-oriented staff, and to assist those in the community who have an interest in, or need for, information, resources, or services. All Permanent Improvement Program (PIP) funded Multipurpose Senior Centers shall be focal points of their respective communities.

In 1991, the South Carolina State Legislature established the Senior Center Permanent Improvement Project (PIP) grant program and appropriated $948,000 per year from State Bingo tax ($79,000 monthly) and licensing fee revenues to fund a list of 74 specifically identified capital improvement projects. The total amount of funding required to complete these projects was reached in the year 2000.

The original legislation was amended by the General Assembly in 1997 to continue the program beyond the original list and the State Unit on Aging (hereafter called the SC Department on Aging or SCDOA), was given responsibility for developing an ongoing process to select and fund applications for senior center capital improvement projects. The resulting procedures created a competitive grant process for securing Senior Center PIP funds.

The Philip L. Van Every Foundation provides grants to 501(c)(3) organizations in North and South Carolina, focusing on education, healthcare, human services, and the arts. With a commitment to strengthen communities and support fiscal responsibility, the foundation aims to enhance lives through meaningful projects. Organizations must demonstrate a track record of success to be eligible for funding, which is generally awarded for special projects and capital needs.

The South Carolina Department of Education is offering funding through the Abstinence Until Marriage Evidence-Based Programs RFP. With approximately $546,972 available, grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations to implement evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs that promote abstinence until marriage for youth aged 10-19. These programs must comply with Title V, Section 510 requirements and be certified by the National Abstinence Education Association, ensuring they adhere to the South Carolina Comprehensive Health Education Act.

The Fiscal Year 2026 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program, managed by FEMA, aims to enhance flood information delivery to communities through the development of flood hazard data and maps. By empowering local entities with mapping capabilities, the program fosters informed decision-making to mitigate flood risks. With a funding allocation of $41,000,000 across nine regions, the CTP strengthens public awareness and supports responsible planning among government and private sectors.

The Leveling Up initiative aims to expand and integrate proven chronic disease management programs statewide, ensuring rural communities have access to comprehensive, coordinated care for serious and chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and sickle cell disease. Historically, these programs have been implemented in limited regions due to resource constraints, leaving rural areas underserved and often last to benefit from advancements in chronic care. This grant opportunity seeks proposals from eligible organizations to expand chronic disease programs.

The State Abstinence Until Marriage—Emerging Programs funding aims to support innovative programs that promote Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE). Designed for organizations not yet validated by evidence-based data, it encourages new outreach methods and activities in priority areas. Key criteria include a focus on local service area organizations and the use of consistent curriculum for no more than three years, ensuring unique approaches to abstinence education.

The Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative Grant supports crucial conservation efforts for shorebirds during their migration along the Atlantic Flyway. This initiative addresses threats such as human disturbance, habitat loss, and hunting in critical areas from the U.S. Atlantic coast to the Caribbean and South America. By promoting coordinated research and management, the initiative aims to ensure the survival of species like the American oystercatcher and red knot, fostering healthy migratory pathways.

The Rural Business Development Grants in South Carolina aim to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses, defined as those with fewer than 50 workers and less than $1 million in revenue. While there is no maximum grant amount, smaller requests are prioritized. Grant funds can be used for various projects, including training, land acquisition, pollution control, and community development, benefiting rural areas and enhancing economic growth.