Best Grants for Museums in South Carolina

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services is inviting proposals for projects aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollution in waterbodies across South Carolina. Projects should achieve measurable water quality improvements and align with an approved watershed plan. Administered in consultation with the EPA, these grants support initiatives that incorporate best management practices and require a non-federal match. Eligible projects must focus on on-the-ground implementation to enhance local water quality.

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.

Mae and Wilbur Fulmer Scholarship ($2,000)

This renewable scholarship supports students who will graduate from a high school located in Chapin, South Carolina. 

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.

Milford H. Wessinger Scholarship ($2,000) 

This renewable scholarship is available to graduating seniors or graduates of a high school in Lexington County, South Carolina. 

RBC Foundation – USA aims to enhance community quality of life by supporting non-profit organizations that promote diversity and positive change. In 2023, it awarded over $2.8 million in grants, prioritizing youth programs for ages 15-29, arts access for diverse populations, and mental well-being initiatives. The foundation encourages sustainable projects that foster economic independence, providing critical support for education, mental health, and cultural enrichment, thereby making a significant impact across various communities.

The Fund for Southern Communities Grant supports grassroots social change organizations in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Established in 1981, this foundation offers grants and technical assistance to groups fighting discrimination, promoting worker rights, and advocating for environmental protection. Eligible organizations must be registered non-profits with 501(c)(3) tax status. The Fund prioritizes groups with budgets of $150,000 or less focused on long-term social change.

About Us

The South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council was established in 1971 by Executive Order of the Governor and was reauthorized in 2010 and again in 2015. Not less than 60% of the total Council membership is consumers and family members. Additional members come from state agencies, DD Act partners and non-governmental organizations.

The Council is federally funded under the Developmental Disabilities Act. The Council engages in activities that contribute to a coordinated, consumer and family centered and directed, comprehensive system that includes needed community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

DD Council Small Grants

Small Grant Funding is awarded to evidence-based,organized activities that enhance knowledge and skills in priority areas outlined in our Five-Year State Plan, specifically Community Supports, Employment, and Self-Advocacy.

Organizations are limited to one small grant per program year, from July 1 to June 30.

The Norfolk Southern Trades on Track SkillPointe Scholarship offers $5,000 scholarships for students pursuing trades education related to the rail industry. Eligible candidates must be enrolled in a post-secondary institution and focused on railway-related trades. With over 1,000 scholarships funded and a mission to close the skills gap, this initiative empowers individuals towards high-demand careers without requiring a four-year degree, ultimately strengthening the workforce and economy.

Nature's Path's Gardens for Good program empowers communities by funding organic gardens that address food insecurity. Since 2010, it has donated $930,000 CAD to support 120 gardens. In 2023, grants of $6,500 each will be awarded to 20 gardens across the U.S. and Canada. Eligible applicants must be registered non-profits with urban organic agriculture projects that serve low-income communities, promoting sustainable practices and inclusivity.

The Clarence H. and Anna Elizabeth Lutz Foundation Grant aims to support a variety of community needs, including health, education, and religious projects. Established in 1995, the foundation encourages innovative proposals that enhance community welfare, with a preference for projects in Chester, York, and Lancaster counties. Organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status are eligible to apply, limited to one application per year, while individuals and for-profit entities are ineligible.

The NRA Foundation offers grants in South Carolina aimed at promoting charitable purposes, including education about firearms and hunting safety. Eligible organizations must have a Federal Employer Identification Number and can be IRS 501(c)(3) entities, government entities, or recognized nonprofits. The foundation prioritizes activities that support the shooting sports and firearms safety, while excluding labor organizations, private businesses, and individuals from eligibility. The grant helps foster a safer and more educated community.

The Small Business Transportation Technical Assistance Center (Region 2) aims to support small businesses in securing DOT-funded transportation contracts. Through cooperative agreements, the program offers outreach, financial and technical assistance, and various training programs. This initiative helps small businesses enhance their capabilities to compete effectively for contracts at federal, state, and local levels, thereby promoting growth and sustainability in the transportation sector.

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.

Project Lead The Way is offering a rolling grant opportunity for schools across the US to implement the PLTW Gateway program for the first time. With total funding of $9,100, the grant covers participation fees and training registration costs. Schools, including public, private, and charter, are encouraged to apply, particularly those serving low-income and minority majority populations. This initiative aims to enhance educational pathways in STEM for diverse student groups.

The SC Bar Foundation Grant Program aims to enhance justice in South Carolina by funding legal access and education initiatives. Eligible non-profit organizations can apply for grants to provide civil legal services, law-related education, or improve justice administration. Priority is given to programs demonstrating effective client representation and innovative service delivery. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations and comply with specific guidelines. The program emphasizes collaboration and leveraging additional funding sources for maximum impact.

The Duke Endowment's Child and Family Well-Being Grant provides implementation support to public and private agencies in North and South Carolina. This funding aims to adopt and sustain evidence-based programs that prevent and treat child maltreatment. Eligible organizations must have two years of audited financial statements and work with accredited groups. The grant prioritizes innovative solutions and advocacy to improve child welfare systems, ensuring effective support for children and families at risk.

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in South Carolina provide essential funding for qualified organizations to assist very-low- and low-income families in constructing their own homes through self-help projects. The program emphasizes community involvement, where participants help each other build homes, receiving technical support from grant recipients. This initiative aims to empower families and strengthen rural communities, ensuring affordable housing solutions while fostering collaboration and skill development.

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.

Community Engagement Grants

Community Engagement Grants support outreach, events, trainings, workshops, celebrations and other activities that serve and engage communities experiencing poverty.

What Community Engagement Grants Support

• Activities focused in at least one of the Foundation’s focus areas:
  • economic mobility
  • housing security and/or health care
• Activities serving any of South Carolina’s 46 counties.
• One-time or occasional activities that engage communities experiencing poverty. These grants are not meant to support an organization’s core programs and activities (for example, a free medical clinic’s health care services).
• Activities that are occurring within six months of the funding date.
• Activities that benefit from a small one-time funding. Grant requests can be up to $1,500.
• Organizations cannot receive both a Community Engagement Grant and a Systems Change Grant from the Foundation in the same year. That means, if your organization has received a Systems Change Grant, you cannot apply for this grant.
• Organizations can receive one Community Engagement Grant annually.

Community Engagement Grant recipients do not need to submit reports to the Foundation.

The Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Development Phase (COBRE-D) program aims to enhance biomedical research capacity in IDeA states, which historically receive low NIH funding. By providing critical support for early-career investigators and essential infrastructure, COBRE-D facilitates a long-term vision for institutions. This initiative not only supplements start-up packages for new hires but also establishes research facilities and improves administrative services, paving the way for less-resourced institutions to transition into the COBRE E/S program.

The South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association’s awards are meant to recognize instructors and firefighters from all stages of their careers for their courageous acts of valor or outstanding leadership skills. Please note that not all awards are presented annually but on basis of merit.Fitness in Action Award

The Fitness in Action Awards are presented to fire departments –career, volunteer, and combination – that have made significant contributions in improving the wellbeing of its members. The criteria are multidimensional and include components such as safety, physical fitness, nutrition, and behavioral health. The award recognizes departments that have successfully implemented programs that promote the overall health of their firefighters.Nominee Criteria

Health and Wellness is a broad and multidimensional concept that includes many components such as: Safety, Medical, Physical Fitness, Nutrition, and Behavioral Health. For example, an individual can be very physically fit, but may be struggling with depression or be experiencing other stressors. While your program may not include all components listed above, if you can demonstrate an interactive process where your program promotes medical screenings, physical fitness, good nutrition, and/or addresses such issues as emotional health, suicide prevention, substance abuse, etc. and you have a success story of how this/these programs enhanced an individual(s) or your overall department, then we want to hear from you.

The Kids’ Chance of South Carolina Scholarship provides financial assistance to children of South Carolina workers who have been killed or seriously injured in work-related incidents. Ranging from $500 to $3,000, these scholarships aim to alleviate the financial hardships faced by these families, empowering students aged 16-25 to pursue post-secondary education. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and be accepted or enrolled in an educational institution, ensuring support for their educational aspirations.

The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation's Health Priority Grants support initiatives that enhance health access and outcomes for South Carolinians, especially the economically disadvantaged. Established in 2003, the Foundation aims to bridge health and healthcare gaps through innovative partnerships. Eligible applicants include nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and government agencies. The Foundation prioritizes projects addressing oral health and mental health, among other systemic health issues, to create sustainable, data-driven solutions.

Kids' Chance of South Carolina offers educational scholarships to children whose parents have been seriously injured or killed in work-related accidents. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burdens these children face, enabling them to pursue their educational goals. Eligible applicants must be between 16-25 years old, have completed the FAFSA, and be accepted into an accredited educational program. This scholarship is vital for supporting the educational aspirations of those affected by workplace tragedies.

The Appalachian Landscapes Project Capital Grant, offered by the Open Space Institute, supports vital conservation initiatives aimed at preserving biodiversity and enhancing landscape connectivity. Established in 1974, the OSI has protected over 2.5 million acres in the Eastern US and Canada, focusing on land that ensures clean drinking water and wildlife habitats. This grant is specifically for projects within the Appalachian Landscapes Project service area, promoting sustainable community benefits.

The Arts in Rural Places Grant, offered by South Arts, aims to enhance access to the arts in rural and isolated communities across nine southern states. Grants of up to $3,000 support public activities featuring Southern artists, requiring a dollar-for-dollar cash match. Eligible organizations must host at least two public events and engage a professional artist, promoting cultural engagement and artistic expression within these communities.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) will award Gifted and Talented (GT) Graduate Course Program grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) that offer tuition-free graduate courses for teachers who are pursuing either endorsement or certification in GT education. These courses will be designed for the following topics:

• Nature and Needs of Gifted and Talented Students
• Introduction to Curriculum and Instruction for Gifted and Talented Students
• Advanced Curriculum for Gifted and Talented Students
• Student Identification, Current Trends, and Issues in Gifted and Talented Education
• Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Learners
• Special Topic Seminars in Gifted and Talented Education; and
• Other topics applicable to gifted education.

The Citizenship Award, presented by the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, honors individuals outside the fire service who have made remarkable contributions to community safety and education. This prestigious award recognizes those who have significantly advanced community risk reduction efforts and saved lives. Nominations are accepted year-round, with the previous year's deadline on January 31. This initiative reflects the Association's dedication to promoting safety and excellence in the fire service.