Best Grants for Historic Preservation in South Carolina

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting children, education, or health and human services in South Carolina can apply for monetary program support that demonstrates measurable community impact. Grants from Costco Foundation help U.S. nonprofits, including those with historic-preservation-related education or community programs, that show strong community collaboration and a broad base of financial support.

South Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits with innovative human services or social problem-solving programs can seek funding to develop or expand their work. Focused on new approaches to societal issues, the Creag Foundation invites organizations with at least one year of 501(c)(3) status, including those with preservation-related community or public safety components, to submit a letter of inquiry.

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

Focused on community, education, environment, and culture, this program invites accredited charities in South Carolina to seek support for humanitarian, social, scientific, and arts initiatives. Eligible projects should promote sustainable development, engage Roche employees, and may include historic preservation when tied to community development or cultural programming, with local Roche affiliates funding work within their own country.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on historic preservation and related educational, scientific, or medical initiatives in South Carolina can seek support for charitable programs. With a mission to advance charitable, scientific, medical, and educational work, Sidney Stern Memorial Trust provides U.S.-based organizations with funding that must be used domestically and support broad, community-serving efforts.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Grant supports nonprofit charitable organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code. Established in 2002, the foundation aims to empower groups committed to positive change, fostering respect for life and the environment. Their vision emphasizes collaboration for a better future, encouraging applicants to embody these values in their initiatives. With a focus on impactful projects, this grant is an opportunity for organizations striving to make a critical difference in our world.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting basic needs, at-risk youth, or domestic violence services in South Carolina can seek program funding that helps vulnerable families and children. The TJX Foundation supports basic needs, youth education and workforce readiness, and safety from domestic violence; South Carolina groups within 15 miles of a TJX location may be eligible.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and libraries seeking support for environmental or human services programs, including in South Carolina, can apply for unrestricted grants of US $5,000 - US $10,000. With a mission to support environmental and human services causes, Lawrence Foundation provides program or operating support that may benefit organizations with historic preservation-related community initiatives.

Nonprofit organizations in South Carolina seeking support for community-based programs can apply for funding from the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, with awards of US $1,000 - US $20,000. The foundation supports museums, cultural and performing arts, education, health facilities, environmental and wildlife activities, and services for youth, seniors, and people with disabilities, which may include historic preservation efforts.

The Spark Good: Strengthening Community Local Grants program by the Wal-Mart Foundation empowers local organizations through grants ranging from $250 to $5000. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare by supporting diverse projects, including animal shelters and educational programs. Eligible organizations must have a verified Spark Good account, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to meet local needs and foster community development. Together, we can create lasting impacts through small yet significant actions.

Focused on community vitality and basic needs, Ameriprise Financial invites U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits to apply for funding that strengthens hunger relief, shelter, self-sufficiency, and cultural enrichment programs. South Carolina organizations working in community development, arts access, financial literacy, housing, or workforce readiness may be especially competitive where Ameriprise employees and advisors actively volunteer.

Grants from Dr Scholl Foundation help South Carolina 501(c)(3) organizations fund education, social services, health care, civic and cultural, environmental, and related projects, with awards from US $5,000 - US $25,000. Nonprofits working on historic preservation within these areas may be eligible, with one-year grants awarded primarily to U.S. applicants.

With a mission to improve education, Watson Brown Foundation provides South Carolina historic preservation students with up to US $3,000 per semester for undergraduate study at regionally accredited, nonprofit four-year colleges. Eligible applicants are high school seniors or undergraduates from designated South Carolina counties pursuing their first four years of college in the U.S.

South Carolina students planning to attend a historically Black college or university or a state-supported college can receive scholarship support for academic studies. Focused on education access, Coastal Community Foundation invites applicants for the Jasiri L.K. Whipper Scholarship Endowment, offering approximately US $1,000 and potential renewal for up to four years of college.

Historic preservation, wildlife conservation, education, and wellness nonprofits in the U.S., including South Carolina, can apply for the J.W. Couch Foundation Storytelling Grant to share their impact through compelling media. Eligible 501(c)(3)s and aligned for-profit organizations may receive more than US $50,000 to tell powerful stories about their community work.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing community services like economic stability, workforce development, health, social services, or disaster relief can seek funding for projects, operations, or capital needs in South Carolina communities with an O’Reilly Auto Parts presence. Grants from O'Reilly Automotive Foundation help U.S. community-focused nonprofits, including those with historic preservation components alongside eligible programs, strengthen local quality of life.

South Carolina historic preservation nonprofits with youth, community, or environmental programs can access funding through Chick Fil A Foundation’s True Inspiration Awards, which provide US $30,000 - US $350,000 for impactful projects. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations may be funded for youth development, housing support, food security, or environmental stewardship initiatives that complement preservation work.

Historic preservation agencies and Certified Local Governments in South Carolina can seek US $5,000 - US $40,000 to support preservation projects and related activities. With a mission to steward the state’s historic resources, South Carolina Department of Archive and History provides federal pass-through funds for eligible local preservation work through its State Historic Preservation Office.

South Carolina 501(c)(3) organizations serving communities in the Southern region can access funding through the Robinson Foundation for programs such as education, poverty relief, disaster relief, health, family and youth services, animal welfare, conservation, and spiritual endeavors. Eligible nonprofits must be over three years old and seek single-year, non-capital support; historic preservation projects may be eligible when aligned with these priorities.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) or other nonprofits in South Carolina preserving battlefields, viewsheds, and related historic structures can seek US $2,500 - US $10,000 for planning and education projects. National Trust for Historic Preservation funding supports activities like preservation planning, feasibility studies, capacity building, and outreach that introduce new audiences to historic preservation.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

South Carolina Department of Commerce

From site selection to infrastructure improvement, we are here to help grow new and existing businesses.

SC Commerce promotes economic opportunity for individuals and businesses through initiatives like workforce training. As a national leader in foreign direct investment, the state extends its global reach with offices in Europe and Asia that help existing companies in developing export markets.

South Carolina Community Development Block Grant

The South Carolina Community Development Block Grant (“State CDBG Program”) is designed to aid units of general local government in improving economic opportunities and meeting community revitalization needs, particularly for persons of low- and moderate-income. The State CDBG Program has been funded through the State since 1982 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (Title I). 

CDBG Program Goals and Outcomes

The SC Department of Commerce seeks to improve the well-being of all South Carolinians in a manner that supports and enhances a high quality of life. The State CDBG Program supports the agency’s efforts to strengthen communities through revitalization and improvement of neighborhoods, public infrastructure, and the local economy. 

The three overarching goals of the HUD CDBG program are to provide decent housing, economic opportunities and a suitable living environment. Within the context of these goals, each project funded by the State must also meet one of three outcomes identified by HUD: affordability, accessibility, or sustainability. 

Local Match/Leveraging

CDBG projects are expected to leverage other public and private investments and serve as a catalyst for future development.

There must be a 10% match of the total CDBG request, unless otherwise approved, which can come from a variety of committed sources including other grants, loans, waiver of fees, public or private investments, and documented volunteer or in-kind contributions. Matching funds must be immediately available for the project at the time of application. 

Community Development Block Grant Categories

There are three broad grant program categories: Community Development, Business Development, and Regional Planning. The Community Development Program is further broken down into several subcategories to address infrastructure, community facilities, and local priorities.

Community Development Programs

Description

This program is designed to produce outcomes that improve citizens’ quality of life and create a competitive environment for jobs and investment by addressing priority community development needs. Activities should contribute to healthy, safe and sustainable neighborhoods and communities. These grants are designed to improve the quality of life for distressed and LMI communities. Community Development projects will compete within the following subcategories that have the same general submission requirements, except that the Ready to Go Program will not be funded in a competitive funding round.

Community Development Program Categories: Community Infrastructure; Community Enrichment; Local Priorities Program; and Ready to Go Program

Local Priorities Program

Outcome and Priorities

This program is designed to address unique local and regional needs and priorities for addressing those needs through community development, including projects that reflect priorities established in conjunction with the S.C. Department of Commerce Business Incentives & Community Development Division. Projects may reflect community development needs that are not typically funded through the other State CDBG programs and generally should not be funded by other HUD partner programs, such as HOME and NHTF (affordable housing), ESG (homelessness) or HOPWA (special needs). These funds will be used for alternative grant activities and partnerships that meet the community development needs of eligible municipalities. Local Priority projects could include historic preservation, innovation, energy conservation, parks, and trails/greenways. New or expanded public service activities are also eligible. Projects should leverage other funding or include local funding; impact identified needs and demonstrate strong community support while meeting a National Objective and all other requirements. 

South Carolina historic preservation nonprofits, local governments, and recognized tribes can access funding for conditions assessments and bid-ready rehabilitation plans for historic buildings through the South Carolina Department of Archive and History. Eligible applicants must own a National Register-listed or eligible property in the state. Planning grants offer up to US $50,000 on a reimbursement basis.