$16,003,031 in grants and scholarships were awarded during the last fiscal year (July 1 to June 30, 2022) by Central Carolina Community Foundation, the Midlands’ leader in collaborative philanthropy.

Since the Foundation’s inception more than $240 million has been awarded to the community. For the last 38 years Community Foundation has improved the region through strategic grant making, community engagement and inspiring philanthropy.

“We are grateful for the ongoing philanthropic support provided by our fundholders,” said JoAnn Turnquist, president and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation. “Our investments would not have been possible without our generous donors and Board of Trustees.”

More than $10 million or 63% of the $16 million came from Donor Advised Funds with the Foundation. Donor Advised Funds simplify giving by allowing fundholders to recommend grants to a variety of charitable organizations with one donation and only one tax receipt.

Donor Advised fundholders and their generosity play a significant part in how the Foundation makes an immense impact on the Midlands and beyond.

The Foundation Invests in Multiple Areas of the Community

This year, the Community Foundation disbursed 2,743 grants all dedicated to assisting various locations and nonprofit categories. 29% of the Foundation’s grants distributed were dedicated to education. More than $4.5 million was awarded to students and educational institutions in the form of scholarships and grants by CCCF fundholders.

More than $550,000 of the $4.5 million was dedicated specifically to scholarships, being the most the Foundation has given in its history. Scholarships had a direct local impact on 214 outstanding awardees as 55% of them are from the Midlands. The median scholarship received for 2022-2023 was $2,000 and 30% of scholarship recipients were first-generation college students.

Other grant categories the Foundation supported this year include animal welfare, arts and culture, community improvement, faith-based, health and wellbeing, human services and youth development.

More than two-thirds of those grants were distributed locally across the 11 counties Community Foundation serves: Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda and Sumter. While 421 grants were given to other areas around South Carolina and 319 were given to places outside of South Carolina.

Connected Communities Grant Improves Livability

$366,704 in funds were given to 12 nonprofits specifically through the Foundation’s Connected Communities grant. This grant assists nonprofits that are looking to better Midlands’ community.

The grant works to make the Midlands more connected, vibrant, compassionate and engaged through ideas that will improve the community’s quality of life and livability. Projects should increase Midlands residents’ access to safe places to live and work, healthcare facilities, quality job opportunities, affordable housing, high quality recreational areas, and arts and cultural events.

One SC Fund Provides Support in Times of Disaster

Another impactful grant provided by the Foundation is the One SC Fund: COVID-19 Response. The One SC Fund works to serve those impacted by past, current and future disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds go toward necessities like food, shelter, health needs, etc. This year, 62 One SC Fund grants were awarded totaling $1,102,704.

Midlands Gives Continues to Support Nonprofit Success

The year-round platform and annual 18-hour online giving event, Midlands Gives, helped raise more than $3.7 million for 540 nonprofits. Since the initiative began in 2012, more than $19.7 million for local organizations has been raised.

These initiatives along with fundholders’ support have allowed for the Foundation to assist 1,158 organizations this fiscal year. The Foundation invests to impact our communities now and for generations to come.

Learn more about Central Carolina Community Foundation’s grants and scholarships here.

View our 2022 Annual Summary here.