The Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater Foundation is a highly place-based funder focused on Lake City, South Carolina, investing heavily in community and economic revitalization alongside cultural and environmental amenities. Most dollars flow to a very small number of local institutions—particularly the Moore Farms Botanical Garden and a Lake City business/alliance entity—to build civic infrastructure, public garden and arts capacity, scholarship opportunities, and land protection for public enjoyment.
The Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater Foundation’s largest recent grants center on Lake City, South Carolina, where it has sent multimillion-dollar support to the Moore Farms Botanical Garden Foundation and the Greater Lake City Alliance. That pattern points to a place-based funder building civic, cultural, and economic infrastructure in one community rather than scattering dollars widely. The foundation also backs scholarship funding, regional arts and museum work, and land protection, showing a mix of community investment and public-benefit amenities. Recent grant records show repeated support for the botanical garden and for organizations tied to Lake City’s business environment and cultural life. The Moore Farms Botanical Garden Foundation received several very large grants, while the Greater Lake City Alliance was funded multiple times for work to enhance the business environment of Lake City. Lake City Creative Alliance also appears in the recent grants list with support to foster a culturally rich environment in South Carolina. Beyond Lake City, the foundation has funded education, cultural institutions, conservation, and humanitarian or reentry-related work in South Carolina and a few other US locations. The overall picture is of a foundation using large operating and programmatic grants to reinforce specific institutions and local systems over time.
In botanical garden and horticulture support, the foundation gave $19,215,182 to Moore Farms Botanical Garden Foundation in 2025 to further the exempt purpose of the botanical garden, with additional large grants in 2024 and 2025 for the same purpose. That makes the garden one of the clearest anchors in the portfolio. For local economic development, Greater Lake City Alliance received $12,125,000 in 2024 and $10,130,000 plus $7,690,000 in 2025, all to enhance the business environment of Lake City. The repeated funding suggests sustained support for the town’s commercial base. Education and scholarships also appear as a separate thread. The foundation gave $1,984,031 to Beemok Family Foundation in 2025 for scholarships funding, and it also supported Francis Marion University and Francis Marion University Development Foundation for education. In cultural work, Lake City Creative Alliance received $1,960,000 in 2025 to foster a culturally rich environment in the SC region.
$35.3M
$658.1M
$39.4M
$44.8M
Most grants fall between $10K and $249K, with a median of $69K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$69K
75th Percentile
$249K
About 72% of grants go to recipients in SC.
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Highly concentrated, place-based giving: very large, repeat grants to a few flagship local organizations rather than many small, dispersed awards; emphasis on multiyear or capacity-building support for civic, cultural, and environmental projects.
Notable grantees: Moore Farms Botanical Garden Foundation, Greater Lake City Alliance, Lake City Creative Alliance, Beemok Family Foundation, Open Space Institute Land Trust
Typical grants fall at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $69,188 at the median, and $249,251 at the 75th percentile, but the recent record also includes very large multi-million-dollar awards. The portfolio shows repeated funding to the same recipients across 2024 and 2025, especially in Lake City, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts. The foundation funds individuals, and the data classifies it as making no program-related investments. The recent grants list reflects grantmaking through both operating-style support and programmatic or project-specific support.
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in South Carolina: 72% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is SC. Lake City appears most often, followed by Charleston and Florence. Outside South Carolina, the recent grants list includes New York, Santa Fe, and Arlington, but the portfolio remains overwhelmingly US-based, with all recent grants going to US recipients. Charleston recipients include cultural, health, and park-related organizations, while Florence recipients appear in education-related awards.
The recent grants point to Lake City economic development, the Moore Farms Botanical Garden, scholarships and education, regional arts and cultural infrastructure, land conservation, and some reentry, food security, and health-related support. The largest recurring awards are tied to Lake City institutions and the botanical garden.
The distribution is relatively broad: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $69,188, and the 75th percentile is $249,251. At the same time, the recent record includes several grants in the millions, so the foundation combines many mid-sized awards with a few very large commitments.
Yes. Several recipients appear in both 2024 and 2025, including Moore Farms Botanical Garden Foundation, Greater Lake City Alliance, Lake City Creative Alliance, Musc Foundation, Beemok Family Foundation, Francis Marion University, Shed NYC Inc, and International African American Museum. That pattern suggests continuing relationships.
South Carolina is the top state by grant count, and 72% of grants go to recipients in SC. Lake City is the most common city in the recent grants list, with Charleston and Florence also appearing frequently.
The recent list includes botanical and garden organizations, business and alliance entities, scholarship funders, universities, museums, parks and conservation groups, and health-related or humanitarian organizations. Examples include Moore Farms Botanical Garden Foundation, Greater Lake City Alliance, Francis Marion University, International African American Museum, and Charleston Parks Conservancy.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOORE FARMS BOTANICAL GARDEN FOUNDATION | LAKE CITY, SC | $19,215,182 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN |
| GREATER LAKE CITY ALLIANCE | LAKE CITY, SC | $10,130,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ENHANCING THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT OF LAKE CITY |
| GREATER LAKE CITY ALLIANCE | LAKE CITY, SC | $7,690,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ENHANCING THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT OF LAKE CITY |
| MOORE FARMS BOTANICAL GARDEN FOUNDATION | LAKE CITY, SC | $6,000,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN |
| BEEMOK FAMILY FOUNDATION | CHARLESTON, SC | $1,984,031 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS FUNDING |
| LAKE CITY CREATIVE ALLIANCE | LAKE CITY, SC | $1,960,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TO FOSTER A CULTURALLY-RICH ENVIRONMENT IN THE SC REGION |
| MUSC FOUNDATION | CHARLESTON, SC | $1,158,300 | 2025 | OPERATION UPRIGHT |
| FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION | FLORENCE, SC | $1,020,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION |
| BEEMOK FAMILY FOUNDATION | CHARLESTON, SC | $1,019,060 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS FUNDING |
| SHED NYC INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR CULTURAL INSTITUTION |
| FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY | FLORENCE, SC | $1,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION |
| LAKE CITY CREATIVE ALLIANCE | LAKE CITY, SC | $900,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TO FOSTER A CULTURALLY-RICH ENVIRONMENT IN THE SC REGION |
| MUSC FOUNDATION | CHARLESTON, SC | $462,500 | 2025 | OPERATION UPRIGHT |
| INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM | CHARLESTON, SC | $250,000 | 2025 | FUNDING TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE MUSEUM |
| SANTE FE INSTITUTE | SANTA FE, NM | $250,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR EDUCATION |
| INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM | CHARLESTON, SC | $200,000 | 2025 | FUNDING TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE MUSEUM |
| FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION | FLORENCE, SC | $163,100 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| LUCKY DOG | ARLINGTON, VA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| BRAINFUTURES INCORPORATED | LUTHERVILLE TIMONIUM, MD | $125,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT APPLICATIONS OF BRAIN SCIENCE ADVANCES TO MAXIMIZE HUMAN POTENTIAL |
| PEE DEE LAND TRUST | FLORENCE, SC | $100,000 | 2025 | FUNDING TO HELP CONSERVE,AND PROMOTE APPRECIATION OF RESOURCES OF THE PEE DEE WATERSHED OF SC |
| TARGET ALS FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| PEE DEE LAND TRUST | FLORENCE, SC | $100,000 | 2025 | FUNDING TO HELP CONSERVE,AND PROMOTE APPRECIATION OF RESOURCES OF THE PEE DEE WATERSHED OF SC |
| AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST | WASHINGTON, DC | $78,376 | 2025 | FUNDING TO SAVE AMERICA'S BATTLEFIELDS |
| CHARLESTON PARKS CONSERVANCY | CHARLESTON, SC | $60,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TO HELP IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHARLESTON COUNTY THROUGH PARK FACILITIES AND SERVICES |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | FLORENCE, SC | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| WINYAH RIVERS ALLIANCE | CONWAY, SC | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON | CHARLESTON, SC | $35,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR JOSEPH P RILEY JR CENTER FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES |
| INNEREAR LABS | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | LAKE CITY, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | FUNDING TO PROVIDE MEALS |
| SYNERGOS | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| SOUTH CAROLINA RED CROSS | NORTH CHARLESTON, SC | $15,000 | 2025 | HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| SOUTH CAROLINA RED CROSS | NORTH CHARLESTON, SC | $15,000 | 2025 | HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LAKE CITY | FLORENCE, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TO HELP ENRICH CHILDREN'S LIVES |
| SC LAND TRUST NETWORK | MOUNT PLEASANT, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| BARNARD COLLEGE | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING |
| SC LAND TRUST NETWORK | MOUNT PLEASANT, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| CHARLESTON PARKS CONSERVANCY | CHARLESTON, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TO HELP IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHARLESTON COUNTY THROUGH PARK FACILITIES AND SERVICES |
| SAINT TERESA COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EMPOWERMENT | LAKE CITY, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| LAKE CITY COMMUNITY THEATRE | LAKE CITY, SC | $8,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | LOS ANGELES, CA | $7,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| GREATER LAKE CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | LAKE CITY, SC | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| BARNARD COLLEGE | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING |
| OPERATION SIGHT | MOUNT PLEASANT, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| LAKE CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | LAKE CITY, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| LAKE CITY COMMUNITY THEATRE | LAKE CITY, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| PERGAMOS METHODIST CHURCH | LAKE CITY, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| LAKE CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | LAKE CITY, SC | $2,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| LAKE CITY CONCERT SERIES | LAKE CITY, SC | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING TO PROVIDE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE GREATER LAKE CITY SC AREA |
| RON MCNAIR COMMITTEE | LAKE CITY, SC | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION |
| RON MCNAIR COMMITTEE | LAKE CITY, SC | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION |
MOORE FARMS BOTANICAL GARDEN FOUNDATION
$19,215,182TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN
GREATER LAKE CITY ALLIANCE
$10,130,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ENHANCING THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT OF LAKE CITY
GREATER LAKE CITY ALLIANCE
$7,690,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ENHANCING THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT OF LAKE CITY
MOORE FARMS BOTANICAL GARDEN FOUNDATION
$6,000,000TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN
BEEMOK FAMILY FOUNDATION
$1,984,031SCHOLARSHIPS FUNDING
LAKE CITY CREATIVE ALLIANCE
$1,960,000SUPPORT TO FOSTER A CULTURALLY-RICH ENVIRONMENT IN THE SC REGION
MUSC FOUNDATION
$1,158,300OPERATION UPRIGHT
FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
$1,020,000SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION
BEEMOK FAMILY FOUNDATION
$1,019,060SCHOLARSHIPS FUNDING
SHED NYC INC
$1,000,000SUPPORT FOR CULTURAL INSTITUTION
FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY
$1,000,000SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION
LAKE CITY CREATIVE ALLIANCE
$900,000SUPPORT TO FOSTER A CULTURALLY-RICH ENVIRONMENT IN THE SC REGION
MUSC FOUNDATION
$462,500OPERATION UPRIGHT
INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM
$250,000FUNDING TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE MUSEUM
SANTE FE INSTITUTE
$250,000FUNDING FOR EDUCATION
INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM
$200,000FUNDING TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE MUSEUM
FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
$163,100GENERAL FUNDING
LUCKY DOG
$150,000GENERAL FUNDING
BRAINFUTURES INCORPORATED
$125,000TO SUPPORT APPLICATIONS OF BRAIN SCIENCE ADVANCES TO MAXIMIZE HUMAN POTENTIAL
PEE DEE LAND TRUST
$100,000FUNDING TO HELP CONSERVE,AND PROMOTE APPRECIATION OF RESOURCES OF THE PEE DEE WATERSHED OF SC
TARGET ALS FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL FUNDING
PEE DEE LAND TRUST
$100,000FUNDING TO HELP CONSERVE,AND PROMOTE APPRECIATION OF RESOURCES OF THE PEE DEE WATERSHED OF SC
AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST
$78,376FUNDING TO SAVE AMERICA'S BATTLEFIELDS
CHARLESTON PARKS CONSERVANCY
$60,000SUPPORT TO HELP IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHARLESTON COUNTY THROUGH PARK FACILITIES AND SERVICES
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$50,000GENERAL FUNDING
WINYAH RIVERS ALLIANCE
$40,000GENERAL FUNDING
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
$35,000FUNDING FOR JOSEPH P RILEY JR CENTER FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
INNEREAR LABS
$25,000GENERAL FUNDING
MEALS ON WHEELS
$20,000FUNDING TO PROVIDE MEALS
SYNERGOS
$20,000GENERAL FUNDING
SOUTH CAROLINA RED CROSS
$15,000HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
SOUTH CAROLINA RED CROSS
$15,000HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LAKE CITY
$10,000SUPPORT TO HELP ENRICH CHILDREN'S LIVES
SC LAND TRUST NETWORK
$10,000GENERAL FUNDING
BARNARD COLLEGE
$10,000SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING
SC LAND TRUST NETWORK
$10,000GENERAL FUNDING
CHARLESTON PARKS CONSERVANCY
$10,000SUPPORT TO HELP IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHARLESTON COUNTY THROUGH PARK FACILITIES AND SERVICES
SAINT TERESA COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EMPOWERMENT
$10,000GENERAL FUNDING
LAKE CITY COMMUNITY THEATRE
$8,000GENERAL FUNDING
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
$7,000GENERAL FUNDING
GREATER LAKE CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$6,000GENERAL FUNDING
BARNARD COLLEGE
$5,000SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING
OPERATION SIGHT
$5,000GENERAL FUNDING
LAKE CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$5,000TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
LAKE CITY COMMUNITY THEATRE
$5,000GENERAL FUNDING
PERGAMOS METHODIST CHURCH
$5,000GENERAL FUNDING
LAKE CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$2,500TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
LAKE CITY CONCERT SERIES
$2,000GENERAL FUNDING TO PROVIDE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE GREATER LAKE CITY SC AREA
RON MCNAIR COMMITTEE
$1,000TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
RON MCNAIR COMMITTEE
$1,000TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION