Best Grants for Museums in South Carolina

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 Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in South Carolina provides essential funding for the development of clean drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, solid waste management, and storm water drainage. It aims to support eligible rural households and businesses that struggle to secure commercial credit. Funds can cover acquisition, construction, and related activities, ensuring reliable services in underserved areas. Partnerships with federal, state, and local entities are encouraged to enhance financial assistance.

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 Encova Foundation of West Virginia is dedicated to improving communities by supporting local causes that align with the values of its associates and policyholders. They focus on health, education, and wellness, emphasizing the importance of children's success. Organizations applying for grants must be U.S.-based and verified as charitable. Preference is given to initiatives impacting health and education, especially those involving Encova associates as active participants.

The National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) aims to protect coastal communities through nature-based solutions, enhancing habitats while addressing the growing threats of climate change. Established in 2018, the fund focuses on restoring vital ecosystems like marshes and reefs to mitigate flooding impacts. With rising sea levels and increasing storm intensity, NCRF invests in community-led projects that foster resilience, ensuring both people and wildlife can adapt to changing environmental conditions.

The AFFA Small Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia that address the needs of LGBTQ+ youth. Grants range from $500 to $4,000 and prioritize projects promoting long-term social change and emotional health. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits and demonstrate a commitment to social justice. Projects can include training events, community workshops, and collaborative initiatives aimed at improving the lives of LGBTQ+ youth.

South Arts, Inc. offers Professional Development Grants for Arts Organizations to enhance the skills and knowledge of Southern arts entities. These grants aim to support operational stability and growth, focusing on organizations with budgets of $500,000 or less. Eligible applicants include a range of arts organizations within South Arts' nine-state service area. The program emphasizes first-time opportunities and requires a dollar-for-dollar cash match, ensuring a commitment to professional development in the arts.

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Dinkins Family Scholarship ($2,000)

This renewable scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors whose permanent address is in the Community Foundation’s 11-county service area (Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter). 

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

The Emerging Traditional Artists Program (ETAP), presented by South Arts Inc., supports early-career traditional artists from Appalachian Regional Commission-designated counties. With a $5,000 award, artists can access training, networking, and mentorship opportunities to enhance their skills and community impact. This initiative aims to preserve traditional arts and culture while fostering a new generation of artists dedicated to their craft and cultural heritage.

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.

South Carolina Arts Commission

The mission of the South Carolina Arts Commission is to expand access to the arts and foster creativity for all South Carolinians.

For more than 50 years, the agency has worked to build a thriving arts environment that benefits all South Carolinians, regardless of their circumstances or where they live.

We help artists and arts providers offer unique arts experiences to residents and visitors. From free poetry readings and gallery crawls to sweetgrass basketry workshops and ticketed dance, music, or theatre performances, they create an environment that contributes to quality of life from three “corner” counties of Oconee, Horry, and Beaufort to the 43 arranged inside.

Since 1967, the SCAC has awarded more than $132 million in grants to artists, arts organizations, school districts, schools, and teachers!

Public Art Grants

Purpose

This grant provides support for art that is created intentionally for a space in the public realm, regardless of whether it is situated on public or private property. Projects can be located indoors or outdoors, but must be free and accessible to everyone. Public art projects are limited to murals, sculptures, light installations, and sound installations.

Funding type: Reimbursement.

Use of Funds

Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Maintenance, repair, and revitalization of existing public art pieces.
• Artist stipends and fees including design, project management, and travel.
• Art installation, fabrication, and associated costs (site preparation, artwork transportation, machinery and equipment rental).
• Consultant and contractor fees (consultants and contractors can include architects, conservators, preservationists, historians, engineers, electricians, lighting consultants, etc.).
• Documentation, marketing, and signage.
• Development of a public art tour.
• Public art focused workshops and programs.

If you are hiring artists or teaching artists

For all grant-funded activities (including group lectures, demonstrations, performances, residencies, and short-term arts teaching experiences), the use of S.C. Arts Directory members is required for school and school district grantees and encouraged for grantees that are organizations.

Artists identified as Verified Teaching Artists on the S.C. Arts Directory have been additionally vetted by SCAC through the submission of sample lesson plans, recorded teaching samples, and letters of recommendation. For any grantee whose grant-funded activities are for K-12 student services, SCAC encourages the use of Verified Teaching Artists. Many school districts require the use of SCAC Verified Teaching Artists for classroom residencies. If working in a school environment, always check with both the individual school and the school district about policies related to hiring artists, arts organizations, and teaching artists.

Indirect Cost Limitation

No more than 10% of the total grant funds may be used for indirect costs (general overhead expenses not directly tied to the project). The remaining 90% must go toward direct costs, which are necessary to carry out the funded project.

• Examples of direct costs: Artist fees, program supplies, travel for project activities, and venue rental.
• Examples of indirect costs: Administrative salaries not directly working on the project, office rent, utilities, and general office supplies.

This ensures that most of the funding directly benefits the project while allowing some flexibility for necessary overhead costs.

Matching Requirements

1:1 (grantee:SCAC)

• Up to 50% of the grantee’s match may be through an in-kind donation of materials and/or contracted services.
• An example of “in-kind” is a contracted fee that is waived or discounted as a donation to your project.
• Another SCAC grant and/or federal funds may not be used to match your award.

The Community Facilities Grant Program in South Carolina offers funding for essential community facilities in rural areas, promoting development and enhancing quality of life. Eligible areas include communities with populations of up to 20,000 residents. The program supports various projects, from healthcare facilities to public safety services, with grant assistance varying based on median household income. This program aims to empower local governments and nonprofits to address community needs and improve infrastructure.

The Norfolk Southern In-Kind Donation Grant supports organizations seeking physical donations of materials that align with their focus areas, including safety, sustainability, workforce development, and thriving communities. This grant is available year-round, with no application deadline. Recipients must be located within Norfolk Southern territory and are encouraged to apply for resources that will enhance their community projects and initiatives, fostering growth and resilience.

The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation, established in 2001, has awarded over $17.5 million to combat hunger in its operating areas. This foundation focuses on supporting children at risk of hunger and enhancing the capacity of feeding agencies to provide nutritious meals. They also emphasize nutrition education to mitigate health risks associated with hunger. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits located within 20 miles of a Food Lion store, with applications accepted annually.

The Lowcountry Scholarship for Nontraditional Students offers financial aid up to $5,000 for eligible nontraditional students attending accredited technical colleges in South Carolina. Aimed at those in Beaufort, Colleton, Jasper, and Hampton counties, it supports individuals ineligible for most federal and state aid. Applicants must maintain a 2.5 GPA and meet specific criteria, including being a returning learner or having obtained a GED. This scholarship is renewable for up to two years, fostering educational opportunities for underserved populations.

The Diminished Tree Species Grant Program focuses on restoring native tree species crucial for biodiversity and forest health. By funding scientific research, seed orchard development, and land preservation, the program aims to combat climate change through effective tree restoration projects. The Oak Hill Fund, a private entity, encourages project-specific applications, prioritizing organizations that meet eligibility criteria under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS. This initiative is vital for sustaining healthy ecosystems and mitigating environmental impacts.

The Art of Community: Rural SC Grants, offered by the South Carolina Arts Commission, aims to enhance community access to the arts in rural areas. By supporting arts-based projects, this grant encourages public engagement and collaboration among local residents. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, colleges, and government entities. Priority is given to projects that develop artistic skills and foster creativity, addressing specific challenges faced by rural communities in South Carolina.

South Carolina Housing Trust Fund (HTF)

The South Carolina Housing Trust Fund (SC HTF) is a valuable resource for developing and maintaining safe, quality affordable housing for low to very low-income households within the state. Funding and assistance for eligible home repairs and supportive housing projects are provided through three core programs—The Home Repair Program, Critical Home Repair Program, and Supportive Housing Program. SC Housing administers the HTF program in partnership with other government organizations, non-profit sponsors and affordable housing developers. The HTF program also coordinates its efforts with other federal, state, and local housing assistance programs to achieve maximum benefit for participants.

The Critical Home Repair Program provide financial assistance to help low to very low-income homeowners with essential interior and exterior home repairs to correct life, health and safety issues so that they can live safely in their homes. These programs help to repair or replace major housing systems, including roofs, water heaters and HVAC equipment. It also covers home modifications, such as ramps, to provide accessibility for persons who are disabled. A home inspection is conducted to help identify any additional repairs that may be needed to provide the homeowner with safe and decent living conditions. The Sponsor then coordinates completion of the work with qualified contractors. The homeowner benefits by staying safely in a home that they can continue to enjoy for years to come. Local communities also benefit by maintaining the supply of affordable homes in their area.

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 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 Corporate Giving Program by the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation focuses on supporting nonprofit organizations within specific states. They prioritize initiatives that enhance community welfare, especially in agriculture, education, health, and environmental sustainability. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status to apply, and preference is given to those involving Perdue associates. Ineligible requests include those from religious, political, or individual-focused groups. This program emphasizes broad community benefits over organizational affiliations.

The Carolina Bird Club offers ongoing grants for research, monitoring, and education focused on the conservation of birds in the Carolinas. These grants support projects that promote bird observation, education, and habitat protection. Applicants must be affiliated with an educational or non-profit institution and provide detailed proposals, including a budget and a letter of support. The club encourages projects addressing local conservation needs and aims to foster a deeper appreciation for avian species and their habitats.

The Carolina Bird Club offers ongoing Conservation Grants aimed at supporting the research, education, and conservation of birds and their habitats in the Carolinas. Grants are awarded for specific purposes, and recipients must obtain permission for any reallocation of funds. Applications must include detailed project plans, budgets, and identification of conservation needs, ensuring that the protection of birds and their environments is prioritized.

Crime Victim Assistance Grants

The mission of the Department of Crime Victim Assistance Grants (DCVAG) is to enhance South Carolina’s capacity to assist crime victims and to provide leadership in the promotion of justice and healing. Through grant funding, victims can receive services including:

• Victim Advocacy
• Counseling
• Residential Shelter
• Forensic Interviews and Forensic Nurse Examination
• Emergency Assistance

Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)

DCVAG is responsible for the administration of four grant programs including the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), a 1984-Public Law 98-473 established the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) - Federal Fines, Fees, and Assessments

The primary purpose of VOCA is to support the provision of direct services to victims of violent crime. The program goal is to provide federal funding through grant awards to certified private non-profit organizations and public/government agencies for projects that will provide, enhance, improve, and expand direct services to victims of violent crime. 

According to the 2016 VOCA Program Rule, direct services or services to victims of crime are defined as those efforts that (1) respond to the emotional, psychological, and physical needs of crime victims, (2) assist victims to stabilize their lives after victimization, (3) assist victims to understand and participate in the criminal justice system, or (4) restore a measure of safety and security for the victim.

Funding cannot be used for the investigation of crimes or collection of evidence to further the prosecution of crimes.

The Barrier-Free Arts SC Grants aim to empower arts organizations in South Carolina to enhance accessibility for artists and constituents with disabilities. Over three years, grantees will receive tailored professional development and support to create and implement accessibility plans. Funding includes up to $3,500 in the first year and $5,000 in subsequent years, with a matching requirement in years two and three. Eligible organizations must be in good standing and possess the authority to modify their facilities.

The Toy Foundation Program offers a unique opportunity for nonprofit organizations to apply for toy donations to support children in need. The application period runs from January to June, with approved applicants receiving toys by the end of the year. This initiative, part of the Toy Chest program, has positively impacted over 35 million children since 2003, promoting play as essential for emotional and educational development.