Founded in 1984, Central Carolina Community Foundation connects and mobilizes people and resources to strengthen our community. We partner with donors to support nonprofits, equip students, advance collaborative solutions, and inspire giving across the Midlands and beyond.
Central Carolina Community Foundation combines donor-advised funds, scholarship administration, and general operating support in the Midlands. Its recent giving shows a strong preference for unrestricted support, with large general-support grants to the University of South Carolina Educational Foundation and Florence County, alongside repeated support for Columbia- and Midlands-based institutions. The foundation also runs a centralized scholarship system that administers 200+ individual scholarship awards through a single application and eligibility process, which makes education a major part of its work. Beyond higher education, the grant list includes nonprofits, schools, cultural organizations, faith-based groups, and community-service providers, indicating a broad local portfolio rather than a single-issue strategy. In the nonprofit space, the foundation offers endowed and non-endowed nonprofit funds that can provide ongoing revenue or mid-term project funding, and it includes stewardship and administrative support as part of that service. Its latest 990 shows substantial scale, with annual grants above $31.7 million and total assets above $201 million.
Education is a major part of the foundation’s work through scholarship administration. Its General Scholarship Program manages more than 200 individual scholarships through one online application and eligibility quiz, with volunteer community committees reviewing and scoring applications. In nonprofit sustainability, the foundation offers Nonprofit Funds that let organizations establish endowed or non-endowed funds at CCCF for ongoing revenue or mid-term/project-based support. Community development also appears through Connected Communities Grants, which fund welcoming community spaces and civic engagement initiatives across the Midlands and historically have leveraged matching funds. For crisis response, the Midlands Community Response Fund supports relief, recovery, and rebuilding after a community-wide crisis or disaster in the 11-county service area.
Typical grants are in the mid-five-figure range, with a p25 of $9,427, median of $15,000, and p75 of $32,456. The recent grant list also shows many larger unrestricted awards, which suggests a mix of standard grants and substantial institutional support. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including the University of South Carolina Educational Foundation, Clemson University Foundation, Coker University, Presbyterian College, Young Life, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, and Reconciliation Ministries Sc. The foundation is a mixed community foundation and the active programs point to both responsive grantmaking and administered funds. Some programs accept unsolicited applications, including scholarships, nonprofit funds, disaster response, and donor services.
$26.5M
$264.3M
$47.1M
$28.7M
Most grants fall between $9K and $32K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$32K
GEORGIA MJARTAN
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Giving is overwhelmingly local: 88% of grants go to recipients in South Carolina, which is also the top state by grant count. Columbia appears frequently among recipients, along with Hartsville, Clemson, Clinton, Lexington, Charleston, and Ridgeland. The list also includes one recipient outside South Carolina, I Like Giving in Springs, CO. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 908 grants in the United States.
The foundation gives general operating support, scholarship support, disaster-response funding, and nonprofit fund services. Its active programs include General Operating Support Grants, the General Scholarship Program, the Midlands Community Response Fund, and Nonprofit Funds for endowed or non-endowed organizational support.
Typical grants cluster around $15,000, with a p25 of $9,427 and a p75 of $32,456. Some active programs are set at larger ranges, including Connected Communities Grants at $10,000–$60,000 and General Operating Support Grants at $10,000–$30,000.
Yes for several programs. The General Scholarship Program accepts unsolicited applications through a single online process, as do Nonprofit Funds, the Midlands Community Response Fund, and donor advised fund and fund-creation services. Connected Communities Grants and General Operating Support Grants are marked as not accepting unsolicited applications.
It is strongly local. South Carolina recipients receive 88% of grants, and the top state by grant count is SC. Recent recipients are concentrated in Columbia and nearby South Carolina cities such as Hartsville, Clemson, Clinton, Lexington, Charleston, and Ridgeland.
The recent list shows repeated support for several recipients across 2023 and 2024, including the University of South Carolina Educational Foundation, Clemson University Foundation, Coker University, Presbyterian College, Young Life, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, and Reconciliation Ministries Sc. That pattern points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated one-off awards.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW MORNING FOUNDATION | COLUMBIA, SC | $1,476,261 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TRENHOLM ROAD UNITED METHODIST | COLUMBIA, SC | $1,372,094 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST | JENKINTOWN, PA | $1,148,402 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KOGER CENTER FOR THE ARTS | COLUMBIA, SC | $1,144,436 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FEEDING THE CAROLINAS | CLEMMONS, NC | $773,833 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SOUTH CAROLINA | MOUNT PLEASANT, SC | $766,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| I LIKE GIVING | SPRINGS, CO | $522,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAROLINA CARES | ELGIN, SC | $458,167 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HEATHWOOD HALL EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | COLUMBIA, SC | $413,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHANDON BAPTIST CHURCH | COLUMBIA, SC | $399,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF THE MIDLANDS | COLUMBIA, SC | $327,501 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| E4E RELIEF LLC | CHARLOTTE, NC | $300,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MOUNTAINEER FOOD BANK | GASSAWAY, WV | $300,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF | COLUMBIA, SC | $286,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOME WORKS OF AMERICA INC | COLUMBIA, SC | $282,335 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GAMECOCK CLUB | COLUMBIA, SC | $261,666 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PHILLIPS- AMIK FOUNDATION FOR | GREENVILLE, SC | $260,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EASTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | COLUMBIA, SC | $258,053 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COKER UNIVERSITY | HARTSVILLE, SC | $255,250 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| REAL CHAMPIONS INC | RIDGELAND, SC | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE | CLINTON, SC | $243,250 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | COLUMBIA, SC | $232,256 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NASHVILLE YOUNGLIVES | NASHVILLE, TN | $220,165 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA | BLUFFTON, SC | $219,715 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LIVE OAK COUNSELING CENTER | COLUMBIA, SC | $216,592 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WATER MISSION | NORTH CHARLESTON, SC | $206,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF CENTRAL SOUTH | COLUMBIA, SC | $182,638 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MIDLANDS HOUSING ALLIANCE | COLUMBIA, SC | $181,796 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ONE COLUMBIA FOR ARTS AND HISTORY | COLUMBIA, SC | $178,999 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND EMPOWERMENT NET | COLUMBIA, SC | $168,092 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CYPRESS ADVENTURES INC | HARTSVILLE, SC | $156,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL INC | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $155,280 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OLIVER GOSPEL MISSION | COLUMBIA, SC | $153,633 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KATIE & IRWIN KAHN JEWISH COMMUNITY | COLUMBIA, SC | $151,045 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SETH'S GIVING TREE | LANCASTER, SC | $150,223 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HARVEST HOPE FOOD BANK | COLUMBIA, SC | $144,777 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY INITIATIVES INC | GREENWOOD, SC | $136,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RADIUS CHURCH | LEXINGTON, SC | $131,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EZEKIEL CENTER INC | COLUMBIA, SC | $129,885 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CLEMSON UNIVERSITY | CLEMSON, SC | $125,318 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOMELESS NO MORE INC | COLUMBIA, SC | $121,339 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| A MOMENT OF HOPE | COLUMBIA, SC | $103,917 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ORIGINAL DESIGN | COLUMBIA, SC | $102,014 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SCHOOL MINISTRIES | COLUMBIA, SC | $101,388 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN | CHARLESTON, SC | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF CAMDEN | CAMDEN, SC | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BUTLER ACADEMY | HARTSVILLE, SC | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIDELITY CHARITABLE | COVINGTON, KY | $98,884 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SENIOR RESOURCES INC | COLUMBIA, SC | $97,139 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE NURTURING CENTER | COLUMBIA, SC | $93,200 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
TRENHOLM ROAD UNITED METHODIST
$1,372,094GENERAL SUPPORT
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SOUTH CAROLINA
$766,500GENERAL SUPPORT
I LIKE GIVING
$522,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CAROLINA CARES
$458,167GENERAL SUPPORT
HEATHWOOD HALL EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
$413,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SHANDON BAPTIST CHURCH
$399,500GENERAL SUPPORT
SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
$286,500GENERAL SUPPORT
HOME WORKS OF AMERICA INC
$282,335GENERAL SUPPORT
GAMECOCK CLUB
$261,666GENERAL SUPPORT
PHILLIPS- AMIK FOUNDATION FOR
$260,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EASTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$258,053GENERAL SUPPORT
COKER UNIVERSITY
$255,250GENERAL SUPPORT
PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE
$243,250GENERAL SUPPORT
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$232,256GENERAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
$219,715GENERAL SUPPORT
LIVE OAK COUNSELING CENTER
$216,592GENERAL SUPPORT
ONE COLUMBIA FOR ARTS AND HISTORY
$178,999GENERAL SUPPORT
CYPRESS ADVENTURES INC
$156,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL INC
$155,280GENERAL SUPPORT
KATIE & IRWIN KAHN JEWISH COMMUNITY
$151,045GENERAL SUPPORT
SETH'S GIVING TREE
$150,223GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY INITIATIVES INC
$136,500GENERAL SUPPORT
RADIUS CHURCH
$131,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EZEKIEL CENTER INC
$129,885GENERAL SUPPORT
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
$125,318GENERAL SUPPORT
A MOMENT OF HOPE
$103,917GENERAL SUPPORT
ORIGINAL DESIGN
$102,014GENERAL SUPPORT
SCHOOL MINISTRIES
$101,388GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF CAMDEN
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SENIOR RESOURCES INC
$97,139GENERAL SUPPORT
THE NURTURING CENTER
$93,200GENERAL SUPPORT
Current and upcoming funding from Central Carolina Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations must primarily serve residents of Sumter County.
Deadline: Applications open November 1 and close November 30.
Who can apply: Projects must directly benefit the Lynches River watershed in South Carolina.
Deadline: Applications accepted year-round on a rolling basis.
Who can apply: Organizations must have held nonprofit status for at least two years, have an annual operating budget under $650,000, employ at least one paid staff member working at least 20 hours per week, have received a Foundation grant within the past four years, have a physical location in the 11-county service area, and be registered for Midlands Gives.
Deadline: Applications open January 1 and close January 31.
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