The John T Stevens Foundation focuses almost exclusively on local, community-oriented projects in Kershaw, SC, funding municipal initiatives that support youth activities, civic events, and upkeep of public spaces. Its giving is targeted and practical—backing town-run services and neighborhood quality-of-life projects rather than national nonprofits or issue-based advocacy.
A defining feature of the John T Stevens Foundation is how tightly it concentrates on Kershaw and nearby communities, with 97% of grants going to recipients in South Carolina. The biggest recent awards show a pattern of practical, place-based support: $72,500 to the Town of Kershaw for the Tailgate Festival in 2024, followed by $71,000 to the Town of Kershaw in 2025 for the YMCA project, Tailgate Festival, cemetery maintenance, and Cub Scout troop support. That mix points to a funder that backs civic life, youth activities, and community upkeep through local institutions rather than large regional nonprofits. The foundation also appears comfortable funding a range of public-facing needs. In the recent grants list, it supported Lancaster Children’s Home with $30,000 for flooring, cottage repairs, food, clothing, and supplies, while also granting $30,000 to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine for scholarship support in 2025. Those awards sit alongside grants for churches, schools, municipal projects, animal care, and basic-needs organizations, all within a local giving pattern. With annual grants of $1,472,998 and assets of $10,852,067, its grantmaking is substantial but highly localized.
Youth and student support is one clear thread in the foundation’s work. It gave $15,000 to Mt Calvary Outreach Center for summer enrichment camp in 2024 and another $20,000 to the same organization in 2025 for summer enrichment camp and support. It also awarded $17,500 to North Central High School for support in 2023 and $15,000 to Leslie M Stover Middle School for wrestling support and equipment in 2024. Another visible area is faith-based and facility support. The foundation gave $23,000 to Cross Road Baptist Church for roof repair in 2025, $20,000 to New Horizon Community Church for a new roof in 2023 and another $20,000 in 2025 for church expansion, and $15,500 to Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church for a replacement steeple and misc. repairs in 2024. Basic needs and community services also appear repeatedly. Food for the Soul received $17,000 in 2023 and $15,000 in 2024 and 2025 for shelter capacity, support, renovations, and safety work, while Lancaster SPCA received grants for vaccination and spay/neuter clinics.
$533K
$10.9M
$892K
$678K
Most grants fall between $5K and $15K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Highly concentrated and local: very small grant portfolio with repeated grants to a single municipal grantee (Town of Kershaw) funding modest, project-specific needs rather than large multi-year commitments or broad geographic reach.
Notable grantees: Town of Kershaw
Typical grant size is modest, with a p25 of $5,000, a median of $8,000, and a p75 of $15,000. The recent grants list also shows a small number of larger awards, including several $30,000 grants and a handful above $20,000. Recipients do recur across years: the Town of Kershaw, Mt Calvary Outreach Center, New Horizon Community Church, Lancaster SPCA, Food for the Soul, and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine each appear more than once. The foundation’s structure suggests direct local philanthropy rather than program-related investing, and it also funds individuals. Grantmaking is conducted through the foundation itself rather than an open application process in the data provided.
Grant dollars stay overwhelmingly close to home. South Carolina recipients account for 97% of grants, and every listed recent grant went to a US recipient. Kershaw appears most often, with awards to the Town of Kershaw, Mt Calvary Outreach Center, Cross Road Baptist Church, Operation Rudolph, and others. Lancaster is another frequent city, with grants to Lancaster Children’s Home, New Horizon Community Church, Lancaster SPCA, and Second Baptist Church. Other recent recipients include Camden, Columbia, Elgin, and Abbeville, showing a regional pattern centered on Kershaw County and nearby communities.
The recent grants show support for youth programs, schools, churches, community events, animal welfare, basic needs, and local facilities. Examples include summer enrichment camp, scholarship support, roof and sanctuary repairs, municipal festival support, spay/neuter clinics, and shelter or home-repair assistance.
Typical grants are small to mid-sized: the p25 is $5,000, the median is $8,000, and the p75 is $15,000. Recent awards also include several larger grants such as $30,000 and $71,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including the Town of Kershaw, Mt Calvary Outreach Center, New Horizon Community Church, Lancaster SPCA, Food for the Soul, and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.
Most grants go to South Carolina recipients, with 97% of grants in the HQ state. The recent list is centered on Kershaw and Lancaster, with additional grants in Camden, Columbia, Elgin, and Abbeville.
Yes. The foundation’s profile indicates it funds individuals, and the grant record also includes scholarship support such as grants to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and USC Educational Foundation.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOWN OF KERSHAW | KERSHAW, SC | $71,000 | 2025 | YMCA PROJECT, TAILGATE FESTIVAL, CEMETARY MAINTENANCE, CUB SCOUT TROOP SUPPORT |
| LANCASTER CHILDREN'S HOME INC | LANCASTER, SC | $30,000 | 2025 | REPLACE FLOORING IN GIRL'S COTTAGE, COTTAGE AND CAMPUS REPAIRS |
| MT CALVARY OUTREACH CENTER | KERSHAW, SC | $30,000 | 2025 | SANCTUARY A/C, SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMP |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE | COLUMBIA, SC | $30,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| CROSS ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH | KERSHAW, SC | $23,000 | 2025 | ROOF REPAIR |
| OPERATION RUDOLPH | KERSHAW, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | CHRISTMAS SEASON SUPPORT |
| NEW HORIZON COMMUNITY CHURCH | LANCASTER, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | CHURCH EXPANSION |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF KERSHAW COUNTY | COLUMBIA, SC | $15,000 | 2025 | BE GREAT ACADEMY & JACKSON TEEN CENTER |
| COMMUNITY MEDICAL CLINIC OF KERSHAW COUNTY | CAMDEN, SC | $15,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| LANCASTER SPCA | LANCASTER, SC | $15,000 | 2025 | SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM |
| FOOD FOR THE SOUL | ABBEVILLE, SC | $15,000 | 2025 | BUILDING RENOVATIONS AND SAFETY SUPPORT |
| KERSHAW AREA RESOURCE EXCHANGE | KERSHAW, SC | $15,000 | 2025 | HOME REPAIRS AND WINTERIZATION PROJECTS |
| NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | KERSHAW, SC | $14,000 | 2025 | ART AND PHOTO EQUIPMENT, YEARBOOK EQUIPMENT & HARDWARE |
| CAMDEN HIGH SCHOOL | CAMDEN, SC | $13,500 | 2025 | MATH CLASS SUPPLIES, FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES SUMMER FOOTBALL CAMP |
| PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH | KERSHAW, SC | $12,000 | 2025 | CONSTRUCTION OF MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDING |
| BETHANY WESTVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH | WESTVILLE, SC | $12,000 | 2025 | TAILGATE MINISTRY |
| LANCASTER COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE ARTS | LANCASTER, SC | $12,000 | 2025 | SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MILITARY SPOUSAL SUPPORT CENTER | FORT JACKSON, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | STUFF THE BUS / FIELD DAY 2024 |
| PLEASANT VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH | KERSHAW, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | LOAN REPAYMENT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | DISASTER RELIEF & LIFESAVING TRAINING |
| UNITED WAY OF KERSHAW COUNTY | CAMDEN, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | "MAKE IT A CONVERSATION" SUMMER |
| KERSHAW SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH | KERSHAW, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | NEW BUS |
| FIRST KERSHAW BAPTIST CHURCH | KERSHAW, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | FOUNDATION REPAIR & SIGN RENOVATION |
| SAND HILL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH | KERSHAW, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | SANCUTARY RENOVATION COSTS |
| PLEASANT GROVE #2 AME ZION CHURCH | KERSHAW, SC | $9,000 | 2025 | INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS, NEW CHURCH SIGNAGE |
| LANCASTER COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING | LANCASTER, SC | $8,000 | 2025 | PURCHASE 2 NEW LARS VEHICLES |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | IRVING, TX | $7,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT - PALMETTO COUNCIL - LANCASTER COUNTY |
| CHRISTIAN SERVICES | LANCASTER, SC | $7,000 | 2025 | FOOD PANTRY AND KIN CARE |
| SISTERCARE | CAYCE, SC | $6,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S THERAPEUTIC PROGRAM |
| WATEREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LUGOFF, SC | $6,000 | 2025 | PURCHASE STORAGE BUILDING, FIELD TRIPS & MISC |
| CAROLINA COMMUNITY CARE | ROCK HILL, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | CARING CLOSET |
| YOUTH SERVE | KERSHAW, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | SUMMER TEEN PROJECTS |
| LANCASTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | LANCASTER, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES PROGRAM |
| LANCASTER DIXIE BASEBALL | LANCASTER, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | FACILITIES UPGRADE |
| NORTH CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL | KERSHAW, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | CLUB EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT |
| NORTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY | KERSHAW, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | ACADEMIC STUDENT PROGRAMS |
| KERSHAW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | KERSHAW, SC | $4,550 | 2025 | CHRISTMAS PARADE, WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA |
| CAMDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL | CAMDEN, SC | $4,000 | 2025 | MATH AND SCIENCE CLASSROOM MATERIALS, COLOR RUN SUPPLIS |
| KERSHAW COMMUNITY PARK COUNCIL | CAMDEN, SC | $3,000 | 2025 | NATURE/FITNESS CAMPS |
| ANDREW JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL | KERSHAW, SC | $3,000 | 2025 | FFA AG EXPO TRIP |
| ANDREW JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL | KERSHAW, SC | $2,550 | 2025 | BUS TRANSPORTATION |
| HELPING HEARTS SENIOR SERVICES INC | FLORENCE, SC | $2,500 | 2025 | FOOD PANTRY |
| CAMDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | CAMDEN, SC | $2,000 | 2025 | ONE SCHOOL, ONE BOOK PROGRAM |
| TOWN OF HEATH SPRINGS | HEATH SPRINGS, SC | $2,000 | 2025 | INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE & SUMMERFEST |
| DOBY'S MILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LUGOFF, SC | $2,000 | 2025 | TRAINING MATERIALS FOR TEACHERS |
| GUM SPRINGS HOLINESS CHURCH | TAYLORS, SC | $1,500 | 2025 | SCRAPE REPAIR AND REPAINT SANCTUARY |
| TOWN OF KERSHAW | KERSHAW, SC | $72,500 | 2024 | TAILGATE FESTIVAL |
| SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH | LANCASTER, SC | $35,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT LANCASTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY |
| LANCASTER CHILDREN'S HOME INC | LANCASTER, SC | $30,000 | 2024 | FOOD, CLOTHING, SUPPLIES, AND REPAIRS |
| ABNEY BAPTIST CHURCH | KERSHAW, SC | $18,000 | 2024 | PURCHASE CHURCH VAN |
TOWN OF KERSHAW
$71,000YMCA PROJECT, TAILGATE FESTIVAL, CEMETARY MAINTENANCE, CUB SCOUT TROOP SUPPORT
LANCASTER CHILDREN'S HOME INC
$30,000REPLACE FLOORING IN GIRL'S COTTAGE, COTTAGE AND CAMPUS REPAIRS
MT CALVARY OUTREACH CENTER
$30,000SANCTUARY A/C, SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMP
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
$30,000SCHOLARSHIP
CROSS ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH
$23,000ROOF REPAIR
OPERATION RUDOLPH
$20,000CHRISTMAS SEASON SUPPORT
NEW HORIZON COMMUNITY CHURCH
$20,000CHURCH EXPANSION
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF KERSHAW COUNTY
$15,000BE GREAT ACADEMY & JACKSON TEEN CENTER
FOOD FOR THE SOUL
$15,000BUILDING RENOVATIONS AND SAFETY SUPPORT
KERSHAW AREA RESOURCE EXCHANGE
$15,000HOME REPAIRS AND WINTERIZATION PROJECTS
NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
$14,000ART AND PHOTO EQUIPMENT, YEARBOOK EQUIPMENT & HARDWARE
CAMDEN HIGH SCHOOL
$13,500MATH CLASS SUPPLIES, FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES SUMMER FOOTBALL CAMP
PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH
$12,000CONSTRUCTION OF MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDING
BETHANY WESTVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH
$12,000TAILGATE MINISTRY
LANCASTER COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE ARTS
$12,000SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS
MILITARY SPOUSAL SUPPORT CENTER
$10,000STUFF THE BUS / FIELD DAY 2024
PLEASANT VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH
$10,000LOAN REPAYMENT
KERSHAW SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH
$10,000NEW BUS
FIRST KERSHAW BAPTIST CHURCH
$10,000FOUNDATION REPAIR & SIGN RENOVATION
SAND HILL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
$10,000SANCUTARY RENOVATION COSTS
PLEASANT GROVE #2 AME ZION CHURCH
$9,000INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS, NEW CHURCH SIGNAGE
LANCASTER COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING
$8,000PURCHASE 2 NEW LARS VEHICLES
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
$7,000SUPPORT - PALMETTO COUNCIL - LANCASTER COUNTY
CHRISTIAN SERVICES
$7,000FOOD PANTRY AND KIN CARE
SISTERCARE
$6,000CHILDREN'S THERAPEUTIC PROGRAM
WATEREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$6,000PURCHASE STORAGE BUILDING, FIELD TRIPS & MISC
YOUTH SERVE
$5,000SUMMER TEEN PROJECTS
LANCASTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$5,000LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES PROGRAM
LANCASTER DIXIE BASEBALL
$5,000FACILITIES UPGRADE
NORTH CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL
$5,000CLUB EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT
NORTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY
$5,000ACADEMIC STUDENT PROGRAMS
KERSHAW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$4,550CHRISTMAS PARADE, WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
CAMDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL
$4,000MATH AND SCIENCE CLASSROOM MATERIALS, COLOR RUN SUPPLIS
KERSHAW COMMUNITY PARK COUNCIL
$3,000NATURE/FITNESS CAMPS
ANDREW JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL
$3,000FFA AG EXPO TRIP
ANDREW JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
$2,550BUS TRANSPORTATION
HELPING HEARTS SENIOR SERVICES INC
$2,500FOOD PANTRY
CAMDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$2,000ONE SCHOOL, ONE BOOK PROGRAM
TOWN OF HEATH SPRINGS
$2,000INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE & SUMMERFEST
DOBY'S MILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$2,000TRAINING MATERIALS FOR TEACHERS
GUM SPRINGS HOLINESS CHURCH
$1,500SCRAPE REPAIR AND REPAINT SANCTUARY
TOWN OF KERSHAW
$72,500TAILGATE FESTIVAL
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH
$35,000SUPPORT LANCASTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
LANCASTER CHILDREN'S HOME INC
$30,000FOOD, CLOTHING, SUPPLIES, AND REPAIRS
ABNEY BAPTIST CHURCH
$18,000PURCHASE CHURCH VAN