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    5. South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees
    South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees logo

    South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees

    ActiveEducation
    COLUMBIA, SCWebsite8037340479

    About South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees

    Works collaboratively to ensure that all children start school ready to reach their highest potential by partnering with parents, caregivers, early educators, and communities and by delivering programs from birth to age five.

    Focus Areas

    Early Care & EducationParentingSchool TransitionHealthFour-year-old Kindergarten (First Steps 4K)Grantmaking to local partnerships

    Funding Style

    unrestricted/general operating supportcore/operational fundingorganizational sustainability

    Topics

    general operating support (no program restriction)organizational capacity and administration

    About South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees

    South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees centers its giving on school readiness from birth to age five, with the largest recent grant flowing to Private 4K Child Care Centers across South Carolina. That statewide preschool support sits alongside a dense pattern of general support for local First Steps partnerships, showing a funder that combines statewide program funding with county-level operating grants. The organization works collaboratively with parents, caregivers, early educators, and communities to help children start school ready to reach their highest potential, and its grantmaking reflects that structure. Among the recent awards, Richland County First Steps Partner in Columbia received both 2023 and 2024 general support grants, while Greenville County First Steps Partnership in Greenville also appeared in consecutive years. Similar recurring support shows up for Lexington, Charleston, York, Spartanburg, Berkeley, Horry, and Beaufort county partnerships, indicating sustained backing for local delivery organizations rather than isolated project-only awards. The board’s focus areas include early care and education, parenting, school transition, health, First Steps 4K, and grantmaking to local partnerships, which together point to a system designed to support children, families, and providers across the early childhood pipeline.

    What South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees Funds

    In preschool funding, the board directed $23,730,357 in 2024 to Private 4K Child Care Centers across South Carolina through approved authorization, tying its largest recent award to the First Steps 4K system. It also supports direct provider funding and recruitment through First Steps 4K Provider Funding & New Provider Recruitment, which includes tuition payments, transportation reimbursement, and one-time grants for materials and supplies. For family support, Connected Families serves prenatal through age five households with home visiting and group support, including voluntary, coordinated services and in-home coaching from trained parent educators. On the care-provider side, Supporting Care Providers Through Visits offers site visits for home child care providers, with at least twice-monthly parent educator visits and materials to support developmentally appropriate practice. School transition is another clear theme. Countdown to Kindergarten Grant Application funds local First Steps partnerships to run summer sessions that connect incoming kindergarten students and their families with teachers before the first day of school.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $55.6M

    Total Assets

    $34.7M

    Total Revenue

    $72.4M

    Total Expenses

    $72.7M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $229K and $435K, with a median of $296K.

    25th Percentile

    $229K

    Median

    $296K

    75th Percentile

    $435K

    Geographic Reach

    Local1 state funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    GEORGIA MJARTAN

    Accepts unsolicited proposals

    Deep Analysis

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    © 2026 Kindora. All rights reserved.

    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 57-1087576Latest Form 990: 2026Total assets: $34.7M4 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders
    financial stability / reserve-building
    non-program-specific funding

    How South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees Gives

    Typical grants are relatively large for local partnership funding: the 25th percentile is $228,849, the median is $296,099, and the 75th percentile is $435,140. The pattern also includes very large statewide awards alongside recurring support for county partnerships. Several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, especially local First Steps partners, which suggests an ongoing multi-year funding relationship rather than one-time grants. The organization is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Unsolicited applications are accepted for multiple active grant programs, including comprehensive, transition, and family-support funding streams.

    Where South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees Makes Grants

    Grantmaking is entirely in South Carolina: 100% of grants in the recent sample went to recipients in the HQ state. The statewide structure reaches local partnerships in Columbia, Greenville, Batesburg, North Charleston, Rock Hill, Spartanburg, Goose Creek, Summerville, Conway, Beaufort, Chesterfield, Florence, Anderson, Aiken, Central, Dillon, and Sumter. The recent grants list shows both urban centers and smaller county-level partnership locations, with Columbia appearing for Richland County First Steps Partner and Greenville for Greenville County First Steps Partnership.

    Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees

    What kinds of organizations does this funder support?

    It supports South Carolina First Steps local partnerships and early-childhood providers. Recent grants include general support for county First Steps partnerships, and active programs also fund private child care centers, licensed child care centers, private schools, and charter schools that deliver First Steps 4K.

    What are the main program areas?

    The stated focus areas are Early Care & Education, Parenting, School Transition, Health, Four-year-old Kindergarten (First Steps 4K), and Grantmaking to local partnerships. Active programs also emphasize home visiting, provider capacity building, classroom supports, and formula funding.

    How does the funding pattern look by grant size?

    Typical grant sizes are fairly substantial: the 25th percentile is $228,849, the median is $296,099, and the 75th percentile is $435,140. Recent grants also include statewide awards far above that range, such as the 2024 authorization for Private 4K Child Care Centers.

    Does the funder support the same recipients over time?

    Yes. Several county First Steps partners received grants in both 2023 and 2024, including Richland, Greenville, Lexington, Charleston, York, Spartanburg, Berkeley, Horry, Beaufort, Florence, and Anderson counties. That pattern points to recurring support for local partnerships.

    Where does the funding go geographically?

    The giving is local to South Carolina, and every grant in the recent sample went to a recipient in SC. The grants reach multiple counties and cities, including Columbia, Greenville, North Charleston, Rock Hill, Spartanburg, Goose Creek, Summerville, Conway, Beaufort, Florence, Anderson, Aiken, Dillon, and Sumter.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2026

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Varies

    First Steps 4K Provider Funding & New Provider Recruitment

    Early Care & EducationPreschool (4K)

    Who can apply: DSS-licensed center-based child care providers, nonprofit independent schools, or public charter schools that meet First Steps 4K program requirements may be eligible to partner; providers must follow First Steps 4K guidelines.

    Deadline: New provider recruitment is open for the 2026-2027 school year (no specific closing date provided)

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    PRIVATE 4K CHILD CARE CENTERSVARIOUS, SC$32,397,6092026APPROVED AUTHORIZATI
    GREENVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNGREENVILLE, SC$1,346,7722026GENERAL SUPPORT
    RICHLAND COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERCOLUMBIA, SC$1,230,9982026GENERAL SUPPORT
    YORK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIPROCK HILL, SC$1,184,7392026GENERAL SUPPORT
    LEXINGTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNELEXINGTON, SC$1,178,0332026GENERAL SUPPORT
    SPARTANBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTSPARTANBURG, SC$1,141,7872026GENERAL SUPPORT
    BERKELEY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSUMMERVILLE, SC$979,0242026GENERAL SUPPORT
    CHARLESTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNN CHARLESTON, SC$977,4222026GENERAL SUPPORT
    HORRY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHICONWAY, SC$779,8812026GENERAL SUPPORT
    FLORENCE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERFLORENCE, SC$646,6472026GENERAL SUPPORT
    BEAUFORT COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERBEAUFORT, SC$631,5512026GENERAL SUPPORT
    ANDERSON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERANDERSON, SC$630,8252026GENERAL SUPPORT
    LEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIPBISHOPVILLE, SC$609,1502026GENERAL SUPPORT
    WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARKINGSTREE, SC$606,7822026GENERAL SUPPORT
    DILLON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHDILLON, SC$575,6352026GENERAL SUPPORT
    DARLINGTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNLAMAR, SC$527,0942026GENERAL SUPPORT
    CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARCHESTERFIELD, SC$519,4292026GENERAL SUPPORT
    PICKENS COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSCENTRAL, SC$513,5142026GENERAL SUPPORT
    LANCASTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNELANCASTER, SC$508,1842026GENERAL SUPPORT
    SUMTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHSUMTER, SC$500,7862026GENERAL SUPPORT
    ORANGEBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNORANGEBURG, SC$456,7392026GENERAL SUPPORT
    DORCHESTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNSUMMERVILLE, SC$407,5042026GENERAL SUPPORT
    MARION COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHMARION, SC$401,3402026GENERAL SUPPORT
    AIKEN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIAIKEN, SC$396,1532026GENERAL SUPPORT
    GREENWOOD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNEGREENWOOD, SC$370,6482026GENERAL SUPPORT
    CLARENDON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNEMANNING, SC$350,3052026GENERAL SUPPORT
    COLLETON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERWALTERBORO, SC$344,9922026GENERAL SUPPORT
    CHEROKEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERGAFFNEY, SC$335,1952026GENERAL SUPPORT
    BAMBERG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSBAMBERG, SC$323,7662026GENERAL SUPPORT
    MCCORMICK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNEMCCORMICK, SC$322,8652026GENERAL SUPPORT
    GEORGETOWN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNGEORGETOWN, SC$314,7042026GENERAL SUPPORT
    NEWBERRY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERNEWBERRY, SC$305,3022026GENERAL SUPPORT
    FAIRFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNEWINNSBORO, SC$288,0992026GENERAL SUPPORT
    UNION COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIUNION, SC$285,4322026GENERAL SUPPORT
    BARNWELL COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERBARNWELL, SC$284,0682026GENERAL SUPPORT
    CALHOUN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSST MATTHEWS, SC$274,0992026GENERAL SUPPORT
    KERSHAW COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSCAMDEN, SC$266,8742026GENERAL SUPPORT
    JASPER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHRIDGELAND, SC$254,7642026GENERAL SUPPORT
    EDGEFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNEEDGEFIELD, SC$252,4192026GENERAL SUPPORT
    ALLENDALE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNEALLENDALE, SC$250,0612026GENERAL SUPPORT
    OCONEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHSENECA, SC$244,8342026GENERAL SUPPORT
    CHESTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSCHESTER, SC$237,8072026GENERAL SUPPORT
    SALUDA COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHSALUDA, SC$237,1962026GENERAL SUPPORT
    LAURENS COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSLAURENS, SC$235,4852026GENERAL SUPPORT
    HAMPTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHAMPTON, SC$235,0562026GENERAL SUPPORT
    ABBEVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNEABBEVILLE, SC$226,8442026GENERAL SUPPORT
    MARLBORO COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERBENNETTSVILLE, SC$226,5592026GENERAL SUPPORT
    PRIVATE 4K CHILD CARE CENTERSVARIOUS, SC$30,156,0412025APPROVED AUTHORIZATI
    YORK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIPROCK HILL, SC$1,571,6042025GENERAL SUPPORT
    GREENVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNGREENVILLE, SC$1,380,6402025GENERAL SUPPORT

    PRIVATE 4K CHILD CARE CENTERS

    $32,397,609
    VARIOUS, SC2026

    APPROVED AUTHORIZATI

    GREENVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN

    $1,346,772
    GREENVILLE, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    RICHLAND COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $1,230,998
    COLUMBIA, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    YORK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIP

    $1,184,739
    ROCK HILL, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    LEXINGTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $1,178,033
    LEXINGTON, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    SPARTANBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PART

    $1,141,787
    SPARTANBURG, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    BERKELEY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $979,024
    SUMMERVILLE, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CHARLESTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN

    $977,422
    N CHARLESTON, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    HORRY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHI

    $779,881
    CONWAY, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    FLORENCE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $646,647
    FLORENCE, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    BEAUFORT COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $631,551
    BEAUFORT, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    ANDERSON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $630,825
    ANDERSON, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    LEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIP

    $609,150
    BISHOPVILLE, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PAR

    $606,782
    KINGSTREE, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    DILLON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH

    $575,635
    DILLON, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    DARLINGTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN

    $527,094
    LAMAR, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PAR

    $519,429
    CHESTERFIELD, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    PICKENS COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS

    $513,514
    CENTRAL, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    LANCASTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $508,184
    LANCASTER, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    SUMTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH

    $500,786
    SUMTER, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    ORANGEBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN

    $456,739
    ORANGEBURG, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    DORCHESTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN

    $407,504
    SUMMERVILLE, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    MARION COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH

    $401,340
    MARION, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    AIKEN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHI

    $396,153
    AIKEN, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    GREENWOOD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $370,648
    GREENWOOD, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CLARENDON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $350,305
    MANNING, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    COLLETON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $344,992
    WALTERBORO, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CHEROKEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $335,195
    GAFFNEY, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    BAMBERG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS

    $323,766
    BAMBERG, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    MCCORMICK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $322,865
    MCCORMICK, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    GEORGETOWN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN

    $314,704
    GEORGETOWN, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    NEWBERRY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $305,302
    NEWBERRY, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    FAIRFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $288,099
    WINNSBORO, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    UNION COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHI

    $285,432
    UNION, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    BARNWELL COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $284,068
    BARNWELL, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CALHOUN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS

    $274,099
    ST MATTHEWS, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    KERSHAW COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS

    $266,874
    CAMDEN, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    JASPER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH

    $254,764
    RIDGELAND, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    EDGEFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $252,419
    EDGEFIELD, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    ALLENDALE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $250,061
    ALLENDALE, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    OCONEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH

    $244,834
    SENECA, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CHESTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS

    $237,807
    CHESTER, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    SALUDA COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH

    $237,196
    SALUDA, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    LAURENS COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS

    $235,485
    LAURENS, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    HAMPTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS

    $235,056
    HAMPTON, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    ABBEVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $226,844
    ABBEVILLE, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    MARLBORO COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $226,559
    BENNETTSVILLE, SC2026

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    PRIVATE 4K CHILD CARE CENTERS

    $30,156,041
    VARIOUS, SC2025

    APPROVED AUTHORIZATI

    YORK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIP

    $1,571,604
    ROCK HILL, SC2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    GREENVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN

    $1,380,640
    GREENVILLE, SC2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT