As we reflect on the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, we realize how the world and our community have been forever altered. While much has changed over the course of the past year, Central Carolina Community Foundation continues to work to meet the needs of the community. Nonprofits in our state have been heavily impacted by the pandemic. Fortunately, the Community Foundation has been able to support many of these organizations through the One SC Fund.

The One SC Fund was established in 2015 by former Governor Nikki Haley to provide grants to nonprofits to fund relief, recovery and rebuilding assistance programs from state-declared emergencies, with a specific focus on natural disasters. At the onset of the pandemic, SC Grantmakers Network, Together SC, United Way of the Midlands and CCCF partnered together to form another arm of the fund to assist with COVID-19 Response grants. Through this collaboration, CCCF has worked with nonprofits, public officials, community leaders and funders across the state to ensure the response grants are awarded to individuals with the greatest needs.

Since March 2020, more than $4.4 million has been raised for the One SC Fund: COVID-19 Response, including a recent $1.5 million gift from the Duke Endowment. By July of 2020, 93 grants had been awarded to nonprofits in all 46 counties of South Carolina.

Nonprofits have utilized these grants to provide more than 700,000 South Carolinians with vital resources and supplies. This includes assistance with rent, mortgage and utility payments, providing food, shelter and PPE, and administering healthcare, childcare and youth education. You can view the full snapshot here.

As we forge into 2021, CCCF will continue awarding COVID-19 Response Grants to nonprofits in all 46 SC counties. These counties will be prioritized through a tiered approach to ensure funds reach populations most affected by the pandemic. As a result, most of these grants will be awarded to organizations led by Black, Indigenous or people of color (BIPOC) and are highly trusted by and deeply embedded in these communities.

While progress has been made, the need is still great. Together, we can help our communities recover and rebuild. Individuals who wish to donate to the One SC Fund can do so online by visiting www.OneSCFund.org to donate with a credit card or by mailing a check to Central Carolina Community Foundation-One SC to Central Carolina Community Foundation-One SC, 2142 Boyce St., Suite 402, Columbia, SC 29201.

The second round of grant applications for the One SC Fund will open for Priority 1, 2 and 3 Counties on June 1, 2021. To learn more about the requirements and guidelines of applying, visit https://www.yourfoundation.org/one-sc-fund/ for more information.