Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in South Carolina

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 FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust Grant aims to support charitable organizations, focusing on arts, education, and social services primarily in the northeastern United States. Established in 2024, the Trust continues the legacy of the Fred J. Brotherton Charitable Foundation. It emphasizes funding for programs that assist the needy or disabled, while adhering to strict eligibility criteria, including a requirement for tax-exempt status under I.R.C. Section 501(c)(3).

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 XENO PRIZE for Performance Arts, awarded by Franklin Furnace, supports early-career LGBTQ+-identifying performance artists creating new work in 26 states with restrictive gender-affirming laws. This annual prize, established in 2023, offers $5000 to a selected recipient from proposals submitted for the Franklin Furnace FUND for Performance Art. The deadline for submissions is April 1, 2025, encouraging innovative voices in the contemporary performance art landscape.

The J. Bulow Campbell Foundation, established in 1940, focuses on grantmaking in Atlanta and Georgia, prioritizing capital projects in education, youth development, human services, public spaces, and cultural institutions. With a legacy of over $800 million awarded, the Foundation reflects the values of its founder, J. Bulow Campbell, emphasizing careful stewardship and Christian principles. While open to neighboring states, grants are generally restricted to tax-exempt institutions, excluding individuals and certain funding purposes.

The Jolley Foundation Grant offers up to $100,000 to charitable organizations that are 501(c)(3) exempt and based in South Carolina. This grant aims to address poverty and discrimination through systemic solutions, capacity-building for nonprofits, and collaborative efforts. Priority is given to projects in arts, education, health, and human services, particularly those benefiting residents of Greenville County. Applicants must demonstrate financial sustainability for their programs.

The USDA's Tribal Colleges Extension Program - Capacity Applications (TCEP-CA) aims to support community-based projects that enhance agriculture, youth development, economic growth, and healthy lifestyles among Tribal communities. This new funding cycle, managed by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), emphasizes merit and efficiency, encouraging applicants to engage actively with local farmers and ranchers to ensure relevant and impactful initiatives.

The Appalachian Landscapes Project - Capital Grants Application Fall 2025 by the Open Space Institute aims to enhance conservation across the Appalachian Mountain region. With a focus on biodiversity, climate resilience, and community benefits, this initiative supports the acquisition of land and conservation easements. As a vital climate refuge, the Appalachians play a crucial role in safeguarding habitats and providing public recreation opportunities for the 26 million residents living in this area.

The Festivals Program Grant, offered by the South Carolina Arts Commission, aims to support a wide range of arts activities at festivals that significantly impact local communities. By fostering public engagement and participation in arts and culture, this grant prioritizes festivals in underserved areas, enhancing access to creative experiences for all. Eligibility extends to local governments and registered nonprofits, ensuring that the arts remain integral to South Carolina's community life, especially during challenging times.

The Rusty & Debbie Hoffman Family Scholarship supports aspiring undergraduate mechanical or architectural engineering students from ASHRAE Region IV. This one-year scholarship is available to those with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or in the top 30% of their class, studying at accredited institutions with recognized ASHRAE student branches. The scholarship aims to foster the next generation of professionals dedicated to sustainable heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions in the built environment.

The Self Family Foundation Grant aims to strengthen communities in Greenwood, South Carolina, through strategic funding in education, community development, and access to arts and culture. This grant particularly focuses on early childhood development programs and promotes health, wellness, and cultural preservation initiatives. Organizations interested in applying must ensure alignment with the foundation's mission and adhere to its conflict of interest policy, as the foundation does not fund individuals or provide loans.

The Conservation Connect Fellowship Program, offered by the National Forest Foundation, invites graduate students to engage in hands-on conservation projects. This fellowship provides practical experience, mentorship from conservation professionals, and training in collaborative leadership. Fellows will gain a deep understanding of forest management and expand their professional networks. With a focus on developing future conservation leaders, the program seeks students passionate about public lands and community engagement.

SC Johnson Grants aim to enhance community welfare through charitable contributions, focusing on health, sustainability, and opportunity. Since 1937, the company has committed five percent of its pretax profits to support registered charities and nonprofit organizations, especially in areas where it operates. The grant program prioritizes initiatives addressing healthcare access, environmental conservation, and educational equity, ensuring that efforts align with the values of community service and corporate responsibility.

The NHLBI Career Transition Award (K22) supports postdoctoral fellows and research trainees in the NHLBI Division of Intramural Research, facilitating their transition to independent research roles at extramural institutions. Key deadlines for applications include October 12, 2024, and February 12, 2025, among others, providing ample opportunity for qualified investigators to advance their careers.

The NAACP X Society Awards Scholarship

The NAACP x Society Awards Scholarship is one of many funding opportunities available to students through NAACP's Inspire Initiatives. We offer scholarships to outstanding and qualified students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Through the generosity of our donors, we advance efforts to ensure equity in educational opportunity that prepares students for success in school, work, and life.

Scholarship amount: $1,000 to $5,000

This is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.

The Innovation Grant Program, offered by the South Carolina Department of Education, aims to support innovative initiatives in public schools to enhance student achievement. Priority is given to projects that address measurable benchmarks, innovative strategies for closing achievement gaps, and evidence-based practices. The program particularly favors applications from high poverty districts, focusing on areas like literacy, STEM, and character development, ensuring all students are prepared for future success.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

The Violence Against Women Act section is a Department of Justice grant-funded program created as a byproduct of the Federal Violence Against Women Act (1994). With federal aid, the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General (SCAG) established the S.T.O.P Violence Against Women program in 1996 to combat the prevalence of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking and harassment in South Carolina.

The Violence Against Women Act Program (VAWA) has two main focuses:

• Prosecuting VAWA-related crimes
• Training law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, and victim advocates on the causes, consequences, intersectionalities, and laws related to domestic violence & sexual assault crimes

To meet the goals of the program, a director, a special prosecutor, program coordinator, and program assistant collaborate to implement the statewide program.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

The purpose of the STOP program is to enhance the capacity of local communities to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies and victim services in cases involving violent crimes against women. In South Carolina, the VAWA Program goal is to provide federal funding through competitive grant awards to certified private, non-profit organizations and public/governmental agencies for projects that will provide, enhance, improve, and expand prosecution, law enforcement, court, and direct services to victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are over the age of eleven. Projects are encouraged to support male victims.

VAWA projects must develop and implement victim-centered, trauma-focused strategies that encourage collaboration among units of local government; non-profit victim service programs; state, local, and tribal courts (including juvenile courts); and Indian tribal governments. Critical partnering entities include law enforcement; prosecution; the judiciary; pretrial services; probation and parole; community-based organizations, including culturally-specific organizations; and others. Further, they must continue to solicit input during implementation to ensure that proposed activities are designed to promote the safety, confidentiality, and economic independence of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence." (34 U.S.C. § 10446).

VAWA funds may not be used to support services that focus exclusively on children or to develop sexual assault or domestic violence curricula for K-12 schools. VAWA funds may be used for an adolescent program for primary victims over the age of 11.

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 Transportation Alternatives Program funds non-motorized projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities and Safe Routes to Schools infrastructure. The TA program will assist SCDOT with accomplishing its Complete Streets initiative, which requires and encourages a safe, comfortable, integrated transportation network for all users, regardless of age, ability, income, ethnicity, or mode of transportation.

Cultural Sustainability, a collaborative initiative by The Wallace Foundation and U.S. Regional Arts Organizations, aims to support arts organizations rooted in communities of color with annual expenses below $500,000. This program promotes equity and inclusion while studying how these organizations define their well-being. With grants totaling over $1.14 million available, the initiative seeks to empower underrepresented communities and enhance their cultural contributions, ultimately fostering a more inclusive arts landscape.

Bell's Brewery Small Grassroots Grants support projects focusing on water stewardship across the Great Lakes watershed. With grant amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000, eligible organizations can apply for funding to improve ecosystem health, enhance public health through better water resource management, and promote resilience against climate-related water risks. This initiative highlights Bell's commitment to environmental stewardship and community support in all 50 states and DC.

The Norfolk Southern Corporate Giving: Thriving Communities Grant Program supports initiatives that promote sustainability, workforce development, and community resilience across a 22-state network. With grants ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, the program aims to foster economic development and ensure equal access to basic necessities. Eligible organizations include tax-exempt nonprofits, government entities, and public schools, emphasizing diversity and inclusion in their community-focused efforts.

Bristol Myers Squibb is dedicated to enhancing healthcare and advancing scientific knowledge through its Corporate Giving program. By supporting various organizations, BMS aims to improve health equity and access to essential medicines for underserved populations. Their focus includes charitable donations, medical education, and community support initiatives. This commitment reflects BMS's goal to make a positive impact on patients' lives and foster strong communities where their employees work and live.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers Family Literacy Grants to nonprofit organizations that support family literacy initiatives. Eligible applicants must provide services such as adult education, children's education, and parent-child engagement activities. Organizations must be located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store and have a valid IRS tax ID. This funding aims to enhance literacy skills for families, empowering individuals to achieve their educational goals.

The James R. Bullock, Jr. Scholarship, offered by the American Society of Heating Refrigerating & A C Engineers, is a one-year scholarship aimed at undergraduate mechanical or architectural engineering students in ASHRAE Region IV. Eligible applicants must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 and meet specific criteria, such as being enrolled in an accredited program or a school hosting an ASHRAE student branch. This scholarship promotes education in HVAC&R fields and supports future professionals.

The JFNY Grant for Arts & Cultural Exchange supports U.S. non-profit organizations aiming to enhance understanding of Japanese arts and culture. Eligible projects include performances, workshops, and exhibitions, with priority given to those with additional funding and in areas with limited access to cultural events. Applications must be submitted at least one month prior for online projects and three months for others. The grant covers expenses like travel, publicity, and artist fees, and is reimbursed upon project completion.