South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development

About South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development

South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development uses its grantmaking to support community economic development across South Carolina, with a clear emphasis on organizations that build housing, business, and local capacity for low-wealth communities. Its recent awards include $336,000 to SC Community Capital Alliance for community impact work and $257,376 to Climb Fund for business support, alongside a $164,835 grant to South Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Taylors. The pattern shows a funder working through community development groups, chambers, banks, and universities rather than individual households, with grants reaching certified CDCs, CDFIs, and other local partners. Housing counseling has also been a major line of work: in 2023, Allendale County Alive received $143,174 to provide housing counseling services to people experiencing homelessness and housing issues tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. Business development is another recurring thread, including support for minority-, veteran-, and women-owned firms statewide. The foundation also backs food access and rural health projects through garden and hoop house grants, linking economic development to basic needs in underserved places.

What South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development Funds

Community economic development is the foundation’s central focus. In 2024, it gave $336,000 to SC Community Capital Alliance for community impact, and its CED Fund supports certified CDCs and CDFIs in projects that expand economic opportunity in underserved and rural communities. Business development appears in multiple grants, including $164,835 to South Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and $125,000 awards in 2023 to Desa Inc, Community Works, Benedict College Women’s Business Center, Optus Bank, and Climb Fund for training, technical assistance, and financing. Housing is another major area: Allendale County Alive, Santee-Lynches Affordable Housing & Cdc, and several other groups received support to provide housing counseling services to people experiencing homelessness and housing issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Food access is also addressed through community garden and hoop house grants.

How South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development Gives