Best Sustainability Grants in South Carolina

State and local agencies, local governing boards, nonprofits, tribes, and higher education institutions in eligible Appalachian counties of South Carolina can apply for Appalachian Regional Commission’s Area Development grants to support critical infrastructure and workforce or business development projects. Funding may benefit sustainability efforts through water and wastewater systems, transportation networks, broadband, and related public infrastructure improvements.

Nonprofit organizations working on environmental sustainability and related community programs in select South Carolina counties can apply for grants supporting arts and culture, education, environmental initiatives, financial literacy, and health and human services. Focused on long-term community well-being, First Horizon Foundation funds eligible groups in Charleston, Greenville, Columbia, Spartanburg, and surrounding areas.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities with at least $500,000 in contributed revenue serving Carolinians can seek funding for education, healthcare, human services, and Jewish values programs. With a mission to foster lasting impact, Leon Levine Foundation provides support to organizations in South Carolina and North Carolina; sustainability-focused initiatives within these areas may be eligible.

With a mission to advance Southern vitality through the arts, South Arts provides South Carolina arts organizations with up to US $1,000 for professional development. Eligible small nonprofit arts groups and government or tribal arts units can fund conferences, workshops, staff training, and related travel or consultant costs that build organizational sustainability and capacity.

The Honda USA Foundation's Mobility Pillar Award aims to empower individuals with disabilities by funding programs that enhance access and mobility. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations and schools that provide therapeutic, adaptive, and comprehensive care programs, as well as mobility modifications and assistive technology. Applications are accepted from U.S.-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsors, ensuring that the joy of mobility is accessible to all.

Small 501(c)(3) nonprofits and local or state government units in South Carolina can seek funding for humanitarian, educational, health, and spiritual programs or projects. With a mission to improve lives, Brown Family Foundation provides $5,000 - $50,000 to initiatives with strong community engagement, measurable outcomes, and potential for lasting impact, which may include sustainability-related efforts.

Eligible 501(c)(3) not-for-profit hospitals, academic health centers, area health education centers, inpatient facilities, and select organizations in counties without an eligible hospital in South Carolina can apply for health care funding to improve access and outcomes. The Duke Endowment supports projects in areas like access to care, maternal and infant health, mental health, oral health, and population health, which may benefit sustainability-focused community health initiatives.

Nonprofit child- and family-serving agencies in South Carolina can seek funding to implement and sustain evidence-based programs that prevent or treat child abuse and neglect. With a mission to strengthen child and family well-being, The Duke Endowment provides support for implementation, innovation, and advocacy efforts serving children, youth, and families at risk.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running youth baseball or softball programs and services in Georgetown County, South Carolina can receive up to US $100,000 for discrete program, small capital, or equipment needs. Yawkey Foundation provides South Carolina environmental conservation groups with opportunities when they also deliver direct youth and amateur athletics programming in its priority area.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations planning strategic growth or regional expansion, including those serving Georgetown County in South Carolina, can seek US $250,000 - US $1,000,000 to implement board-approved strategic initiatives. Yawkey Foundation supports high-impact work in conservation and wildlife, health, education, human services, youth athletics, and arts and culture through these multi-year Strategic Investment Grants.

South Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on arts, education, environment, health, or human services can seek project and capital funding that addresses poverty and discrimination. Focused on systemic, sustainable community change, the Jolley Foundation prioritizes Greenville County and upstate organizations, with awards of more than US $100,000 requiring a preliminary letter of inquiry.

Faculty researchers at South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium member institutions in South Carolina can seek US $30,000 - US $80,000 for one- to two-year projects advancing coastal conservation, resilience, and sustainable development. With a mission to support environmental conservation, South Carolina Sea Grant funds work on fisheries, aquaculture, marine biology, oceanography, and related coastal sustainability topics.

The Barbara Stone Foundation

Barbara Stone served as a champion for individuals with disabilities and the Foundation strives to continue her legacy. The Barbara Stone Foundation is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization based in Greenville County, South Carolina.

Our primary focus is to influence community systems policies and culture to result in equitable opportunities for individuals with disabilities. We do this by identifying gaps in the system, investing in or creating our own innovative programs, leveraging partnerships in the community and through our signature initiative Greenville CAN. Greenville CAN is a multi-stakeholder collective impact coalition focused on creating systemic community change through specific community projects focused on people with disabilities. Through our multi-faceted approach we believe we can achieve our vision of a community where all people with disabilities flourish.

Barbara Stone Foundation: Community Innovations Grant

The Barbara Stone Foundation is committed to empowering individuals with disabilities. One of the ways we do this is by investing in innovative programs and initiatives that address unmet needs and provide creative solutions for the disability community in the Upstate of South Carolina. Our Community Innovations Grant program prioritizes applications that propose groundbreaking approaches to bridging service gaps and fostering inclusion. Our hope is that creative individuals and organizations in our community’s amazing network of providers will develop new ways to ensure our community is place where individuals with disabilities flourish.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations focused on environmental conservation and wildlife management in Georgetown County, South Carolina can seek Program and Small Capital Grants to support discrete, timebound program, project, or equipment needs. With a mission to invest in impactful nonprofits, Yawkey Foundation provides up to US $100,000 for work in its Conservation & Wildlife area of giving.

Arts and cultural 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups in South Carolina’s Lowcountry can receive multi-year general operating, capacity-building, and reserve challenge support for artistic work and organizational sustainability. Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation funds artistically vital groups in Horry, Georgetown, Berkeley, Dorchester, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper, and Beaufort counties that support professional and local artists.

Grants from F. W. Symmes Foundation help South Carolina 501(c)(3) organizations fund capital and program needs that benefit Greenville County residents, with awards of more than US $20,000. Environmental and conservation nonprofits working on sustainability, as well as groups in health, education, human services, arts, religion, and public benefit, may be eligible.

The Gambrill Foundation provides grants to 501(c)(3) organizations for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, primarily within Anderson County, South Carolina. Eligible applicants must align with the Foundation's mission and demonstrate measurable community impact. Preference is given to libraries, churches, and educational institutions, particularly for capital projects. The Foundation does not fund annual appeals, endowments, or operating expenses. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the Co-Trustees.

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. 

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on sustainability and environmental conservation in South Carolina’s Charleston County can receive up to US $50,000 to support community-focused programs. BECU Foundation’s People Helping People Awards fund work such as conservation, stewardship, and broader efforts that strengthen local communities within BECU’s service areas.

The Henry and Sylvia Yaschik Foundation provides South Carolina charitable organizations serving the greater Charleston area with one-time, multiyear, start-up, and challenge or matching grants. Qualified charities, including those running environmental conservation or other sustainability-related programs, may be eligible if they operate in the Charleston region and meet the foundation’s reporting and 501(c)(3) requirements.

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), established under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act signed into law on July 4, 2025, is a federal initiative led by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This program is designed to help state governments strengthen healthcare access, quality, and outcomes in rural communities by transforming the healthcare delivery ecosystem. Through a focus on innovation, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development, and workforce investment, the RHTP aims to create sustainable improvements in rural health systems across the United States. The Shoring Up to Sustainability initiative aims to strengthen the operational and financial resilience of rural healthcare systems in South Carolina by investing in critical facility enhancements and delivering targeted masterclass training for rural providers.

The Yawkey Foundation offers Program and Small Capital Grants to nonprofit organizations making meaningful impacts in Health Care, Education, Human Services, Youth and Amateur Athletics, Arts and Culture, and Conservation and Wildlife. Grants can be up to $100,000 and support projects aligned with the nonprofit’s mission. Organizations are encouraged to submit Initial Proposals during designated periods, demonstrating strong leadership and community impact, particularly in underserved regions of Eastern Massachusetts.

South Carolina environmental and community nonprofits can access funding through Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area to support programs in conservation, health, education, arts, and human services. Eligible 501(c)(3)s and public entities serving Aiken and Edgefield counties may request up to US $15,000 for local projects addressing people in need, youth enrichment, or environmental initiatives.

South Carolina nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status can seek capacity building support to strengthen operations, governance, and long-term sustainability. Greenville County organizations may use Community Foundation of Greenville funding for planning, technology upgrades, management improvements, collaboration strategies, and feasibility studies that enhance their ability to serve the community and sustain impact.

The W. W. Burgiss Charities Grant supports initiatives focused on religion, education, and assistance for the needy in Greenville County, South Carolina. Established by W. W. Burgiss in 1925, the foundation prioritizes capital needs and one-time special projects, aiming to create measurable impacts. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt and demonstrate financial sustainability. With an average grant size of $12,000, the foundation aims to uplift the sick and underprivileged, ensuring local community enhancement through targeted funding.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing arts and culture programs in Georgetown County, South Carolina can apply for Yawkey Foundation Program and Small Capital Grants, with awards up to US $100,000 for discrete, timebound projects or equipment. Organizations working to enrich community culture and expand arts access may be eligible under the foundation’s priority areas.

Focused on health care access and delivery, Yawkey Foundation invites South Carolina nonprofits to request Program and Small Capital Grants for discrete, timebound projects or equipment needs. 501(c)(3) organizations serving Georgetown County with direct services in health care, children’s mental health, or health disparities may be eligible for awards up to US $100,000.