We know that our community’s assets outweigh its needs, and that positive, long-term change occurs when we mobilize our assets into action. We work with organizations that help people in Greenwood, South Carolina, and surrounding counties strengthen their lives and communities from the inside out. Explore our Signature Projects and Past Grants for examples of what we fund.
Building Community Strengths Through Grantmaking
What We Fund
We fund broadly in the areas of education, community development, and access to arts and culture. We believe that those within our community are best equipped to determine what programs will work best, so we keep an open mind and welcome new ideas. Within our three broad categories, we’re particularly interested in programs that support early childhood development from birth through third grade. This funding could include, but isn’t limited to, programs that support healthy birth, parenting skills, child health, social-emotional development, cognitive development, preschool readiness, preschool programs, kindergarten readiness, early elementary education, and third-grade reading proficiency.
We may also fund programs that promote health and wellness in our community, and those that provide arts, culture and historic education/preservation within Greenwood.
What We Don’t Fund
We do not provide loans and we do not make grants to individuals. (Sorry, those are IRS rules.)
Many of our board members live and work in the Greenwood area, so we maintain a strict conflict of interest policy to ensure personal interests do not interfere with our grantmaking process.
How To Apply
1. Contact Foundation
You MUST contact the Foundation President, Mamie W. Nicholson, or Director of Grants & Administration, Melissa Hayden, before you submit a proposal. This will ensure your request is a good candidate for funding before you spend hours preparing it.
120 Main Street, Greenwood,
South Carolina, 29646
Phone: (864) 953-2441 or (864) 941-4011
2. Create A Written Proposal
Create your written proposal that includes:
- A Letter of Request signed by the agency head, CEO or Director
- A project narrative including the following information (not to exceed 5 pages):
- A description of what you want to accomplish
- A description of how you will use the funds you are requesting
- How you will accomplish your goals, and all the assets you will apply to your work – not just money, but also people, partners and other assets
- How you will know you succeeded. How will you measure your results?
- Should we award a grant, a plan to sustain your project once your grant funds end
- A project budget
- Your organization’s leadership (including Board of Directors)
- A copy of your organization’s latest IRS tax determination letter that proves you are eligible for private foundation support (501c3)
- A copy of the latest financial statements (including a budget that shows income sources and expenses)
3. Submit Your Proposal
Submit your proposal online via this link before the appropriate deadline (see below). Upload your Letter of Request as page 1 of the written proposal.
When To Apply
2024 Proposals are due by March 1, July 1, and November 1 to be considered at the trustee meetings held in April, August, and December.
120 Main Street Greenwood, SC 29646 | (864) 941-4011 or (864) 953-2441