Build & maintain sustainable philanthropy.
Waccamaw Community Foundation’s recent giving shows a blend of philanthropy infrastructure, community support, and scholarship funding, with a very large 2024 grant to South Carolina Christian Foundation for philanthropy and administrative support. That same pattern appears in other sizable awards that help local nonprofits carry out services in Horry County and nearby parts of coastal South Carolina. The foundation also backs human needs organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse in Boone, North Carolina, and Veterans Welcome Home and Resource Center in Little River, South Carolina, while continuing to support place-based institutions in Myrtle Beach, Conway, and Pawleys Island. Its grantmaking reflects a local community foundation model: scholarships, disaster relief, basic needs, education, arts, environment, religion, and neighborhood development all appear in the portfolio. Beyond direct service grants, the foundation uses flexible funding and administrative support to strengthen nonprofit capacity and sustain community initiatives. The mix of large awards and smaller scholarships suggests a funder that supports both long-term civic infrastructure and immediate local needs.
A clear theme in the portfolio is support for basic human needs. Waccamaw Community Foundation gave $157,500 to Meals on Wheels of Horry County for human needs, and it also made a $94,088 grant to United Way of Horry County Inc for the same broad area. In neighborhood and community development, the foundation awarded $75,000 to the City of Conway for local development work and $50,000 to the Waccamaw Regional Transportation Authority for community infrastructure. Education is another consistent area: the University of South Carolina Columbia received $51,704, while the foundation also maintains scholarship programs for students in Horry, Georgetown, and Williamsburg counties. Arts and environmental work appear as well, including grants to the Franklin G Burroughs-Simeon B Chapin Art Museum and Brookgreen Gardens.
Typical grants cluster tightly around the low five figures, with a p25 of $9,062, a median of $10,880, and a p75 of $25,000. At the same time, the foundation makes occasional much larger awards, including several six-figure grants in the recent record. The portfolio includes both recurring recipients and one-off awards: organizations such as First Presbyterian Church of Myrtle Beach and All Saints Church - Waccamaw appear more than once, as do Georgia Tech Foundations Inc and City of Conway. Waccamaw Community Foundation is a community foundation, and its structure includes both discretionary grantmaking and named scholarship funds. One active program, the Waccamaw Community Trust Fund (Competitive), accepts unsolicited applications; other programs use nominations or specific eligibility rules.
$3.3M
$38.4M
$5.6M
$3.5M
Most grants fall between $9K and $25K, with a median of $11K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$11K
75th Percentile
$25K
MICHAEL L MANCUSO
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Giving is overwhelmingly local and concentrated in South Carolina, where 86% of grants go. Recent recipient cities include Myrtle Beach, Conway, Murrells Inlet, Little River, Pawleys Island, and North Myrtle Beach, with Horry County especially prominent. The foundation also funds nearby Georgetown County and Williamsburg County through scholarship and community programs. Outside South Carolina, the recipient list includes Boone, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; Kanab, Utah; and Columbia, South Carolina.
The foundation funds community development, education and scholarships, human services, disaster relief, arts and culture, environment and conservation, and health. In the recent record, awards also appear in neighborhood development, religion, and philanthropy infrastructure, showing a broad community foundation approach rather than a single-issue strategy.
The grant-size distribution is centered in the low five figures: p25 is $9,062, median grant size is $10,880, and p75 is $25,000. The recent portfolio also includes larger outliers, including six-figure awards, alongside smaller scholarship and operating grants.
No. It gives mostly in South Carolina, where 86% of grants go, but the recent grants list also includes recipients in North Carolina, Georgia, and Utah. The giving is still local in orientation, with many awards going to organizations in Horry County and nearby coastal South Carolina communities.
Yes. Active scholarship programs include the Boone Foundation Scholarship, the Edsel J. “Coupe” DeVille Memorial Scholarship, the Charles W. Snoddy Hospitality Scholarship, the Thomas W. Jones Memorial Scholarship, and the Georgetown County Technical College Scholarship. These programs serve South Carolina students and residents, with some limited to specific counties or schools.
Some programs do and some do not. The Waccamaw Community Trust Fund (Competitive), the Edsel J. “Coupe” DeVille Memorial Scholarship, the Elsie Beavers Carver and E. Lois Carver Educational Fund, the COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund, and the Georgetown County Technical College Scholarship accept unsolicited applications. Others, such as the Charles W. Snoddy Hospitality Scholarship and the WCF Disaster Relief Fund, do not.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Waccamaw Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Grants are made only to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization; projects must serve communities affected by COVID-19 within the nine-county coastal South Carolina region.
Deadline: Rolling basis
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $350,000 | 2025 | HUMAN NEEDS |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $350,000 | 2025 | HUMAN NEEDS |
| GEORGIA TECH FOUNDATIONS INC | ATLANTA, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| GEORGIA TECH FOUNDATIONS INC | ATLANTA, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| ALL SAINTS CHURCH - WACCAMAW | PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC | $75,003 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| ALL SAINTS CHURCH - WACCAMAW | PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC | $75,003 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| CITY OF CONWAY | CONWAY, SC | $75,000 | 2025 | NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV. |
| CITY OF CONWAY | CONWAY, SC | $75,000 | 2025 | NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV. |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MYRTLE BEACH | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $50,000 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MYRTLE BEACH | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $50,000 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| UNITED WAY OF HORRY COUNTY INC | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $44,795 | 2025 | HUMAN NEEDS |
| UNITED WAY OF HORRY COUNTY INC | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $44,795 | 2025 | HUMAN NEEDS |
| MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA | CHARLESTON, SC | $40,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA | CHARLESTON, SC | $40,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH INC | NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $30,000 | 2025 | ENIVORNMENT |
| WACCAMAW COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | MURRELS INLET, SC | $30,000 | 2025 | PHILANTHROPY - ADMINISTRATIVE |
| COASTAL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC | CONWAY, SC | $30,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH INC | NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $30,000 | 2025 | ENIVORNMENT |
| WACCAMAW COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | MURRELS INLET, SC | $30,000 | 2025 | PHILANTHROPY - ADMINISTRATIVE |
| COASTAL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC | CONWAY, SC | $30,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| PALMETTO SHORES CHURCH | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $26,000 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| PALMETTO SHORES CHURCH | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $26,000 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| MYRTLE BEACH DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $25,833 | 2025 | NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV. |
| MYRTLE BEACH DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $25,833 | 2025 | NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV. |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MYRTLE BEACH | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF HORRY COUNTY | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV. |
| CANCER ASSOCIATION OF SPARTANBURG AND CHEROKEE COUNTIES INC | SPARTANBURG, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| NORTH MYRTLE BEACH AREA FOUNDATION | NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | ARTS |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MYRTLE BEACH | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| NORTH MYRTLE BEACH AREA FOUNDATION | NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | ARTS |
| CANCER ASSOCIATION OF SPARTANBURG AND CHEROKEE COUNTIES INC | SPARTANBURG, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF HORRY COUNTY | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV. |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MYRTLE BEACH | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MYRTLE BEACH | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| SUSTAIN SC | COLUMBIA, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV. |
| SUSTAIN SC | COLUMBIA, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV. |
| COASTAL SCHOOL MINISTRIES INC | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $20,053 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| COASTAL SCHOOL MINISTRIES INC | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | $20,053 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| SHRINER'S HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN | GREENVILLE, SC | $20,053 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| GLOBAL TRAINING NETWORK | PEORIA, AZ | $20,053 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| SHRINER'S HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN | GREENVILLE, SC | $20,053 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| GLOBAL TRAINING NETWORK | PEORIA, AZ | $20,053 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| GARDEN CITY CHAPEL | MURRELS INLET, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| GARDEN CITY CHAPEL | MURRELS INLET, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| THE ABBEY AT PAWLEYS ISLAND | PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| THE ABBEY AT PAWLEYS ISLAND | PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| TIDELAND GEORGETOWN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | MURRELS INLET, SC | $18,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| TIDELAND GEORGETOWN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | MURRELS INLET, SC | $18,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| SOUTH CAROLINA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION | PINEWOOD, SC | $17,425 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
| SOUTH CAROLINA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION | PINEWOOD, SC | $17,425 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
ALL SAINTS CHURCH - WACCAMAW
$75,003RELIGION
ALL SAINTS CHURCH - WACCAMAW
RELIGION
CITY OF CONWAY
$75,000NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV.
CITY OF CONWAY
$75,000NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MYRTLE BEACH
$50,000RELIGION
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MYRTLE BEACH
$50,000RELIGION
HUMANE SOCIETY OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH INC
$30,000ENIVORNMENT
WACCAMAW COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$30,000PHILANTHROPY - ADMINISTRATIVE
HUMANE SOCIETY OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH INC
$30,000ENIVORNMENT
WACCAMAW COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$30,000PHILANTHROPY - ADMINISTRATIVE
PALMETTO SHORES CHURCH
$26,000RELIGION
PALMETTO SHORES CHURCH
$26,000RELIGION
MYRTLE BEACH DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE
$25,833NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV.
MYRTLE BEACH DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE
$25,833NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MYRTLE BEACH
$25,000RELIGION
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF HORRY COUNTY
$25,000NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV.
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH AREA FOUNDATION
$25,000ARTS
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MYRTLE BEACH
$25,000RELIGION
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH AREA FOUNDATION
$25,000ARTS
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF HORRY COUNTY
$25,000NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MYRTLE BEACH
$25,000RELIGION
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MYRTLE BEACH
$25,000RELIGION
SUSTAIN SC
$25,000NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV.
SUSTAIN SC
$25,000NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY DEV.
COASTAL SCHOOL MINISTRIES INC
$20,053RELIGION
COASTAL SCHOOL MINISTRIES INC
$20,053RELIGION
GARDEN CITY CHAPEL
$20,000RELIGION
GARDEN CITY CHAPEL
$20,000RELIGION
THE ABBEY AT PAWLEYS ISLAND
$20,000RELIGION
THE ABBEY AT PAWLEYS ISLAND
$20,000RELIGION
TIDELAND GEORGETOWN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
$18,000HEALTH
TIDELAND GEORGETOWN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
$18,000HEALTH
