Sources of Grant Funding
The process of seeking external funding for special projects requires a multifaceted approach. Most federal and state Requests for Proposals (RFPs) focus on system-wide initiatives. Therefore, it would be helpful for the Office of Planning and Grants to know if you school has a specific area of interest. Below is a description of primary sources for grant funding.

Federal Grants
The Federal Register published daily (Monday through Friday) lists grant opportunities from each federal department. The Office of Planning and Grants reviews these grant opportunities on an ongoing basis. Visit Web address http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html.

State Grants
The South Carolina Department of Education and the Governor's Office send all notifications of grants opportunities to the Superintendent. Visit Web address http://www.myscschools.com/.

Local Grants
Local grants are funded typically by agencies within a given county. 

Foundation Grants
Foundation grant opportunities are found in a variety of sources including professional journals and newspapers, books on grant-seeking and year-end foundation reports. Many foundations can be found on the Internet. Visit Web address http://www.schoolgrants.org.

Types of Grants

Competitive Grants: Funding in which applicants vie for awards based on defined guidelines and criteria. Most grants are competitive in nature.

Collaborative Grants: Funding that is based on partnerships across organizations or institutions. The school and/or district is not the lead applicant or primary writer/developer of the grant proposal.

Entitlement Grants: Funding that is allotted based on the number of students or teachers.

Seed Money: Funding to develop and support experimental, new or innovative programs that require "start-up" money.

Project or Program Grants: Funding to support a particular project that meets the funding institution's goals. Projects are specific and measurable in their results.

Challenge or Matching Grants: Funding to encourage matching monies to be raised from other sources, such as foundations, school districts, corporations or community groups.

Foundations in Midlands Area
Foundations listed below have indicated youth or education as their program interest area and will accept unsolicited requests.

Alpha-Omega Foundation
4618 Kilbourne Road
Columbia, SC 29206
803-782-0151
James T. Wilds, Managing Director

Baker & Baker Foundation
P. O. Box 12397
Columbia, SC 29211
803-254-8987
David Baker, President

Budweiser of Columbia Foundation
825 Bluff Road
P. O. Box 684
Columbia, SC 29202
803-799-5490
R. Royce Pearce, Chairman

Central Carolina Community Foundation
1518 Washington Street
Columbia, SC 29201
803-254-5601
J. Mac Bennett
http://www.cccfsc.org/

C. G. Fuller Foundation
P. O. Box 221513
Columbia, SC 29222
803-929-5850
Victor B. John

Mary Katherine & Thomas J. Longwell Charitable Trust
2007 Lincoln Street
Columbia, SC 29201
803-771-7245
Ann L Furr or Mary Katherine Longwell

Pate Fund
c/o Wachovia Bank of South Carolina
1401 Main Street, Suite 501
Columbia, SC 29226
803-765-3677
Note: Apply by letter by October 1

Simpson Foundation
c/o Wachovia Bank of South Carolina
1401 Main Street, Suite 501
Columbia, SC 292206
803-765-3677
Frances Dudley, Office
Note: Apply by letter by April 1 or October 1

Sisters of Charity Foundation
2601 Laurel Street
Columbia, SC 29204
803-254-0230
Carroll Heyward, President
Note: Application deadlines are March 10 or September 8

John I. Smith Charities, Inc.
NationsBank of SC
P. O. Box 608
Greenville, SC 29608
March Beachem

F. W. Symmes Foundation
c/o Wachovia Trust Department
1401 Main Street
Columbia, SC 29226
Gerald Lane
Note: Apply by letter and include the purpose for which the funds will be used

Ruth B. Wood Foundation
c/o First Citizens Bank and Trust
P. O. Box 29
Columbia, SC 29202
Note: Program interest is music education

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