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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

    $42.8M

    Total Assets

    $37.2M

    Total Revenue

    $57.1M

    Total Expenses

    $55.3M

    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

    About 100% of grants go to recipients in SC.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    GEORGIA MJARTAN

    Accepts unsolicited proposals

    Deep Analysis

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    EIN: 57-1087576
    2 filings on record
    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

    2024

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.

    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$23,730,3572024APPROVED AUTHORIZATI
    RICHLAND COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERCOLUMBIA, SC$1,166,4252024GENERAL SUPPORT
    GREENVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNGREENVILLE, SC$1,112,8722024GENERAL SUPPORT
    LEXINGTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNEBATESBURG, SC$1,051,6972024GENERAL SUPPORT
    CHARLESTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNN CHARLESTON, SC$1,041,9832024GENERAL SUPPORT
    YORK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIPROCK HILL, SC$987,7152024GENERAL SUPPORT
    SPARTANBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTSPARTANBURG, SC$863,2312024GENERAL SUPPORT
    BERKELEY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSUMMERVILLE, SC$797,7112024GENERAL SUPPORT
    HORRY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHICONWAY, SC$700,2762024GENERAL SUPPORT
    BEAUFORT COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERBEAUFORT, SC$573,1982024GENERAL SUPPORT
    CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARCHESTERFIELD, SC$465,2812024GENERAL SUPPORT
    FLORENCE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERFLORENCE, SC$433,5702024GENERAL SUPPORT
    ANDERSON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERANDERSON, SC$430,5962024GENERAL SUPPORT
    DILLON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHDILLON, SC$419,3242024GENERAL SUPPORT
    PICKENS COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSCENTRAL, SC$403,5002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    LANCASTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNELANCASTER, SC$402,5972024GENERAL SUPPORT
    DORCHESTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNSUMMERVILLE, SC$380,7332024GENERAL SUPPORT
    AIKEN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIAIKEN, SC$374,5452024GENERAL SUPPORT
    DARLINGTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNLAMAR, SC$374,3642024GENERAL SUPPORT
    SUMTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHSUMTER, SC$363,8432024GENERAL SUPPORT
    ORANGEBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNORANGEBURG, SC$344,9182024GENERAL SUPPORT
    COLLETON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERWALTERBORO, SC$323,2342024GENERAL SUPPORT
    MARION COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHMARION, SC$306,1892024GENERAL SUPPORT
    CHEROKEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERGAFFNEY, SC$303,6642024GENERAL SUPPORT
    WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARKINGSTREE, SC$272,9372024GENERAL SUPPORT
    GEORGETOWN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNGEORGETOWN, SC$270,4142024GENERAL SUPPORT
    LEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIPBISHOPVILLE, SC$265,3682024GENERAL SUPPORT
    BAMBERG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSBAMBERG, SC$262,2092024GENERAL SUPPORT
    GREENWOOD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNEGREENWOOD, SC$262,0402024GENERAL SUPPORT
    UNION COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIUNION, SC$260,3742024GENERAL SUPPORT
    FAIRFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNEWINNSBORO, SC$254,9382024GENERAL SUPPORT
    BARNWELL COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERBARNWELL, SC$241,5262024GENERAL SUPPORT
    NEWBERRY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERNEWBERRY, SC$238,5982024GENERAL SUPPORT
    MCCORMICK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNEMCCORMICK, SC$237,0502024GENERAL SUPPORT
    EDGEFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNEJOHNSTON, SC$234,0852024GENERAL SUPPORT
    JASPER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHRIDGELAND, SC$229,1322024GENERAL SUPPORT
    KERSHAW COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSCAMDEN, SC$225,3492024GENERAL SUPPORT
    OCONEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHWESTMINSTER, SC$225,1122024GENERAL SUPPORT
    CALHOUN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSST MATTHEWS, SC$219,8622024GENERAL SUPPORT
    HAMPTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHAMPTON, SC$217,6982024GENERAL SUPPORT
    SALUDA COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHSALUDA, SC$215,5072024GENERAL SUPPORT
    MARLBORO COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERBENNETTSVILLE, SC$214,5662024GENERAL SUPPORT
    LAURENS COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSLAURENS, SC$214,3642024GENERAL SUPPORT
    CLARENDON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNEMANNING, SC$206,6672024GENERAL SUPPORT
    CHESTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSCHESTER, SC$204,6122024GENERAL SUPPORT
    ALLENDALE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNEALLENDALE, SC$203,8622024GENERAL SUPPORT
    ABBEVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNEABBEVILLE, SC$184,8312024GENERAL SUPPORT
    SC EDUCATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEECOLUMBIA, SC$105,0002024APPROVED AUTHORIZATI
    PRIVATE 4K CHILD CARE CENTERSVARIOUS, SC$21,438,8012023APPROVED AUTHORIZATI
    RICHLAND COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERCOLUMBIA, SC$1,320,7902023GENERAL SUPPORT

    PRIVATE 4K CHILD CARE CENTERS

    $23,730,357
    VARIOUS, SC2024

    APPROVED AUTHORIZATI

    RICHLAND COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $1,166,425
    COLUMBIA, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    GREENVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN

    $1,112,872
    GREENVILLE, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    LEXINGTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $1,051,697
    BATESBURG, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CHARLESTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN

    $1,041,983
    N CHARLESTON, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    YORK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIP

    $987,715
    ROCK HILL, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    SPARTANBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PART

    $863,231
    SPARTANBURG, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    BERKELEY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $797,711
    SUMMERVILLE, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    HORRY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHI

    $700,276
    CONWAY, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    BEAUFORT COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $573,198
    BEAUFORT, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PAR

    $465,281
    CHESTERFIELD, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    FLORENCE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $433,570
    FLORENCE, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    ANDERSON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $430,596
    ANDERSON, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    DILLON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH

    $419,324
    DILLON, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    PICKENS COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS

    $403,500
    CENTRAL, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    LANCASTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $402,597
    LANCASTER, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    DORCHESTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN

    $380,733
    SUMMERVILLE, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    AIKEN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHI

    $374,545
    AIKEN, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    DARLINGTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN

    $374,364
    LAMAR, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    SUMTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH

    $363,843
    SUMTER, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    ORANGEBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN

    $344,918
    ORANGEBURG, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    COLLETON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $323,234
    WALTERBORO, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    MARION COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH

    $306,189
    MARION, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CHEROKEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $303,664
    GAFFNEY, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PAR

    $272,937
    KINGSTREE, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    GEORGETOWN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN

    $270,414
    GEORGETOWN, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    LEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIP

    $265,368
    BISHOPVILLE, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    BAMBERG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS

    $262,209
    BAMBERG, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    GREENWOOD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $262,040
    GREENWOOD, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    UNION COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHI

    $260,374
    UNION, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    FAIRFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $254,938
    WINNSBORO, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    BARNWELL COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $241,526
    BARNWELL, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    NEWBERRY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $238,598
    NEWBERRY, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    MCCORMICK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $237,050
    MCCORMICK, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    EDGEFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $234,085
    JOHNSTON, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    JASPER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH

    $229,132
    RIDGELAND, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    KERSHAW COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS

    $225,349
    CAMDEN, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    OCONEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH

    $225,112
    WESTMINSTER, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CALHOUN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS

    $219,862
    ST MATTHEWS, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    HAMPTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS

    $217,698
    HAMPTON, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    SALUDA COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH

    $215,507
    SALUDA, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    MARLBORO COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $214,566
    BENNETTSVILLE, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    LAURENS COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS

    $214,364
    LAURENS, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CLARENDON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $206,667
    MANNING, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    CHESTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS

    $204,612
    CHESTER, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    ALLENDALE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $203,862
    ALLENDALE, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    ABBEVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE

    $184,831
    ABBEVILLE, SC2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    SC EDUCATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

    $105,000
    COLUMBIA, SC2024

    APPROVED AUTHORIZATI

    PRIVATE 4K CHILD CARE CENTERS

    $21,438,801
    VARIOUS, SC2023

    APPROVED AUTHORIZATI

    RICHLAND COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER

    $1,320,790
    COLUMBIA, SC2023

    GENERAL SUPPORT