Best Grants for K-12 Schools in South Carolina

The Auto Club Group Foundation provides South Carolina K-12 schools and other eligible public entities with US $5,000 - US $15,000 grants for traffic safety, driver education, and financial literacy initiatives. Funding can support classroom programs, scholarships, and passive speed enforcement equipment like speed display signs within the foundation’s multi-state service area.

Nonprofit organizations supporting children, K-12 education, or health and human services in South Carolina can seek program funding that benefits local communities. Grants from Costco Foundation help education-focused groups, including those partnering with K-12 schools, cover monetary needs tied to measurable outcomes, community collaboration, and projects with a broad base of financial support.

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

Early-stage, impact-first nonprofit and mission-driven for-profit organizations working on scalable social or environmental solutions in South Carolina, including K-12 education, can seek support to grow proven models. Grants from Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation help education-focused and other social impact ventures access up to US $300,000 plus intensive capacity-building and community over three years.

K-12 school districts, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and government entities in South Carolina can seek up to US $20,000 for workforce development, STEM education, climate resiliency, and equity-focused community programs. Grants from Duke Energy Foundation help support district-level education initiatives, environmental projects, disaster preparedness, and opportunity and inclusion efforts in eligible service-area counties.

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.

South Carolina K-12 schools and education-focused nonprofits can access funding through State Farm Companies Foundation for safety, education, and community development initiatives. Eligible applicants include educational institutions, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, qualifying government programs, and 501(c)(4) volunteer fire companies working on K-12 academic performance, STEM, college and career pathways, and related community safety and development efforts.

South Carolina K–12 schools and education-focused nonprofits can seek Hearst Foundation Culture Grants to support arts and science programs that engage young people. These U.S.-wide grants, typically more than US $100,000, back arts education, STEAM initiatives, and artist development through program, capital, and limited general or endowment support for established 501(c)(3) organizations.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering early childhood education or community economic development programs in South Carolina can apply for PNC Foundation’s Foundation Grant. PNC Foundation provides South Carolina education and community organizations with support for birth-to-five learning, educator development, family engagement, affordable housing, small business assistance, cultural enrichment, and services for low- and moderate-income communities where PNC has a significant presence.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

With a mission to support charitable, scientific, medical, and educational work, Sidney Stern Memorial Trust provides South Carolina K-12 education organizations with funding for programs that broadly benefit students and communities. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations using all granted funds within the U.S., including school-affiliated nonprofits.

South Carolina K-12 education organizations that are 501(c)(3) public charities with 3+ years of activity can access funding via Robinson Foundation for programs serving children and families. Grants support single-year projects in the Southern region, with priorities including education, youth services, poverty relief, disaster relief, medical assistance, and related community needs.

K-12 public schools and 501(c)(3) educational nonprofits in South Carolina communities within 30 miles of a Georgia-Pacific facility can apply for Georgia-Pacific Foundation’s grants to support education-focused programs. Funding may also enhance entrepreneurship, community enrichment, or environmental initiatives that benefit students and local school communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations near TJX locations in South Carolina can seek funding for basic needs, out-of-school supports for at-risk K-12 youth, workforce readiness for ages 16–24, and safety from domestic violence. The TJX Foundation reviews letters of inquiry year-round, with full applications accepted by invitation only.

K-12 public schools and libraries in South Carolina, as well as 501(c)(3) public charities, can seek funding for environmental, human services, and related programs. With a mission to support these causes, Lawrence Foundation provides unrestricted US $5,000 - US $10,000 operating or program grants, including projects that may benefit K-12 students.

The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation offers grants to support diverse initiatives, including museums, educational programs, and environmental activities. Aiming to make a significant impact with modest funding, the Foundation targets IRS-qualified non-profits in the U.S. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $20,000, fostering community development and enhancement. Organizations focused on youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply, as the Foundation seeks to empower those in need.

Nonprofit community organizations, colleges, universities, and government units in South Carolina can receive up to US $15,000 to run summer arts education programs for K-12 students. The South Carolina Arts Commission supports workshops, camps, residencies, performances, and related activities that expand arts access and complement standards-based instruction, which can benefit school partners and K-12-focused initiatives.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation offers grants annually to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily focusing on U.S. applicants. The foundation supports projects in education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental efforts. While the grant cycle runs from October 1 to March 1, it encourages innovative solutions to global challenges. Only one application per organization is accepted each year, and funding is limited to one year. Unqualified organizations, including political entities, are ineligible.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and tax-exempt organizations serving Spartanburg County, South Carolina can apply for grants up to US $35,000 to improve quality of life, educational achievement, and economic mobility. Grants from Spartanburg County Foundation help South Carolina K-12-focused programs with mentoring, out-of-school-time, summer learning, internships, and other student success initiatives.

South Carolina agencies and certified private nonprofits providing prosecution, law enforcement, court, or victim services for domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking can access funding through the South Carolina Attorney General’s Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) program. K-12 schools collaborating with eligible victim service or justice-system partners may benefit when projects are victim-centered and trauma-focused for youth over age 11.

South Carolina government units and eligible nonprofits can receive up to US $15,000 to create or maintain permanent or semi-permanent public art, including murals, sculptures, and light or sound installations. South Carolina Arts Commission supports reimbursement-based projects that are free and accessible to all, which may include public art tours or workshops connected to K-12 education settings.

Nonprofit organizations, colleges, universities, and government units in South Carolina can receive up to US $15,000 to deliver school-term arts education projects for preschool and K-12 students. Focused on arts learning, the South Carolina Arts Commission supports in-school and after-school activities that expand access and complement standards-based instruction, which may benefit K-12 school partners and students statewide.

South Carolina K-12-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits and equivalent charities with youth-focused programs can seek funding for education, leadership, housing, food security, or environmental initiatives. South Carolina education organizations can access funding through Chick Fil A Foundation’s True Inspiration Awards, which provide US $30,000 - US $350,000 for impactful community projects benefiting children and their families.

Grants from Pete and Sally Smith Foundation help South Carolina K-12 education initiatives focused on scholarship programs and educational programming in math, liberal arts, hospitality, culinary, horticulture, landscaping, and entrepreneurship. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in Oconee County may also benefit if they support related environmental or health projects tied to the foundation’s mission areas.

Non-sectarian nonprofits helping disadvantaged people become self-reliant, including those serving K-12 students in South Carolina, can seek US $5,000 - US $250,000 for social services, poverty alleviation, disability support, or disaster relief. With a mission to empower disadvantaged individuals, Gupta Family Foundation provides global grants to smaller organizations meeting its revenue and leadership criteria.