Our grantmaking responds to the needs in our communities. Grants include those which are available through application and those that originate at a donor’s request. Additionally, some of our individual funds practice grantmaking.

Grants Available Through Application

Impact Grants

Impact Grants are competitive grants in excess of $10,000. The purpose of these grants is to stimulate and help launch new programs or projects, help focus, enhance and/or expand on existing programs and services; or provide an investment in a large capital project that is a critical enhancement to the mission of the nonprofit organization. Our committee evaluates applications based on impact the project or program has on the Lowcountry. These grants are for organizations that support those who live and/or work in southern Beaufort County.

Opportunity Grants

Opportunity Grants are competitive grants for projects, programs or capital expenditures that are $10,000 or less. These grants mirror our larger Impact Grants, with the exception of geographic restrictions. Organizations within our four-county service area are encouraged to apply for Opportunity Grants.

Organizational Development Grants

Organizational Development Grants offer support for nonprofits to retain a consultant to help strengthen their organization, increasing their capacity to govern and achieve long term sustainability.

Grants Awarded in Fiscal Year 2022

Impact Grants

These competitive grants, each in excess of $10,000, were awarded to nonprofit organizations for new programs or projects, to enhance an existing program or service, or for large capital projects that are critical to the organization’s mission. Impact grants are for organizations that support those who live and/or work in southern Beaufort County.

In FY22, we awarded a total of $1,070,026 in Impact Grants to the following organizations:

Arts Center of Coastal Carolina (on behalf of HHI Arts and Culture EDIA Coalition)

Coastal Discovery Museum

Deep Well Project HHI

FRIENDS of Caroline Hospice

Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity

Hospice Care of the Lowcountry

Meals-on-Wheels Bluffton-Hilton Head

Mental Health America-Beaufort/Jasper

Multiplying Good

Programs for Exceptional People

Second Founding of America (formerly Reconstruction Beaufort)

Second Helpings

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island

Waddell Mariculture Center Fund


Opportunity Grants

These competitive grants fund projects, programs, or capital expenditures under $10,000. Opportunity grants mirror our larger impact grants, without the geographic restrictions. Grants are available for nonprofits in our four-county service area of Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties.

In FY22, we awarded a total of $132,775 in Opportunity Grants to the following organizations:

Agape Family Life Center

Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

Bluffton Self Help

Daufuskie Island Historical Foundation

HELP of Beaufort

Helping Hand Center, Inc.

Hospice Care of the Lowcountry

Jasper County School District

Mental Health America-Beaufort/Jasper

SC Nurse Retention Initiative Fund

Sea Turtle Patrol HHI

Second Helpings

Town of Hilton Head Island

University of South Carolina Beaufort

USC Educational Foundation


Organizational Development Grants

These grants offer support for nonprofits to retain consultants that strengthen their organizations and increase their capacity to govern and achieve greater sustainability.

During FY22, two grants totaling $8,500 were awarded to:

Jasper County Neighbors United

Lowcountry Legal Volunteers

Thinking of applying for a grant?

If you're ready to apply for a grant, please visit our Grant Portal.

Please remember to read all of the grantmaking sections on this website. Some of our grant opportunities require a code to access the grant application and many require attendance at an Impact Information Session.

If you have additional questions, contact the Community Investment Office at 843-681-9100.

Grantmaking funds at Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

In addition to the grants available through our application process, a number of our individual funds practice grantmaking. Each has its own timeline and application process.

Grantmaking funds