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.
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.
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.
$55.6M
$34.7M
$72.4M
$72.7M
Most grants fall between $229K and $435K, with a median of $296K.
25th Percentile
$229K
Median
$296K
75th Percentile
$435K
GEORGIA MJARTAN
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
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)
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRIVATE 4K CHILD CARE CENTERS | VARIOUS, SC | $32,397,609 | 2026 | APPROVED AUTHORIZATI |
| GREENVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN | GREENVILLE, SC | $1,346,772 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RICHLAND COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER | COLUMBIA, SC | $1,230,998 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YORK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIP | ROCK HILL, SC | $1,184,739 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LEXINGTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE | LEXINGTON, SC | $1,178,033 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SPARTANBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PART | SPARTANBURG, SC | $1,141,787 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BERKELEY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER | SUMMERVILLE, SC | $979,024 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHARLESTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN | N CHARLESTON, SC | $977,422 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HORRY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHI | CONWAY, SC | $779,881 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FLORENCE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER | FLORENCE, SC | $646,647 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BEAUFORT COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER | BEAUFORT, SC | $631,551 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ANDERSON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER | ANDERSON, SC | $630,825 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIP | BISHOPVILLE, SC | $609,150 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PAR | KINGSTREE, SC | $606,782 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DILLON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH | DILLON, SC | $575,635 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DARLINGTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN | LAMAR, SC | $527,094 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PAR | CHESTERFIELD, SC | $519,429 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PICKENS COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS | CENTRAL, SC | $513,514 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LANCASTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE | LANCASTER, SC | $508,184 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SUMTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH | SUMTER, SC | $500,786 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ORANGEBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN | ORANGEBURG, SC | $456,739 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DORCHESTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN | SUMMERVILLE, SC | $407,504 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARION COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH | MARION, SC | $401,340 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AIKEN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHI | AIKEN, SC | $396,153 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREENWOOD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE | GREENWOOD, SC | $370,648 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CLARENDON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE | MANNING, SC | $350,305 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COLLETON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER | WALTERBORO, SC | $344,992 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHEROKEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER | GAFFNEY, SC | $335,195 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BAMBERG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS | BAMBERG, SC | $323,766 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MCCORMICK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE | MCCORMICK, SC | $322,865 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GEORGETOWN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN | GEORGETOWN, SC | $314,704 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEWBERRY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER | NEWBERRY, SC | $305,302 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FAIRFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE | WINNSBORO, SC | $288,099 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNION COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHI | UNION, SC | $285,432 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BARNWELL COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER | BARNWELL, SC | $284,068 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CALHOUN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS | ST MATTHEWS, SC | $274,099 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KERSHAW COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS | CAMDEN, SC | $266,874 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JASPER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH | RIDGELAND, SC | $254,764 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EDGEFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE | EDGEFIELD, SC | $252,419 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ALLENDALE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE | ALLENDALE, SC | $250,061 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OCONEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH | SENECA, SC | $244,834 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHESTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS | CHESTER, SC | $237,807 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SALUDA COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH | SALUDA, SC | $237,196 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LAURENS COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS | LAURENS, SC | $235,485 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HAMPTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS | HAMPTON, SC | $235,056 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ABBEVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE | ABBEVILLE, SC | $226,844 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARLBORO COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER | BENNETTSVILLE, SC | $226,559 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PRIVATE 4K CHILD CARE CENTERS | VARIOUS, SC | $30,156,041 | 2025 | APPROVED AUTHORIZATI |
| YORK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIP | ROCK HILL, SC | $1,571,604 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREENVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN | GREENVILLE, SC | $1,380,640 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
PRIVATE 4K CHILD CARE CENTERS
$32,397,609APPROVED AUTHORIZATI
GREENVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN
$1,346,772GENERAL SUPPORT
RICHLAND COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER
$1,230,998GENERAL SUPPORT
YORK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIP
$1,184,739GENERAL SUPPORT
LEXINGTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE
$1,178,033GENERAL SUPPORT
SPARTANBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PART
$1,141,787GENERAL SUPPORT
BERKELEY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER
$979,024GENERAL SUPPORT
CHARLESTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN
$977,422GENERAL SUPPORT
HORRY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHI
$779,881GENERAL SUPPORT
FLORENCE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER
$646,647GENERAL SUPPORT
BEAUFORT COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER
$631,551GENERAL SUPPORT
ANDERSON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER
$630,825GENERAL SUPPORT
LEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIP
$609,150GENERAL SUPPORT
WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PAR
$606,782GENERAL SUPPORT
DILLON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH
$575,635GENERAL SUPPORT
DARLINGTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN
$527,094GENERAL SUPPORT
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PAR
$519,429GENERAL SUPPORT
PICKENS COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS
$513,514GENERAL SUPPORT
LANCASTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE
$508,184GENERAL SUPPORT
SUMTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH
$500,786GENERAL SUPPORT
ORANGEBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN
$456,739GENERAL SUPPORT
DORCHESTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN
$407,504GENERAL SUPPORT
MARION COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH
$401,340GENERAL SUPPORT
AIKEN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHI
$396,153GENERAL SUPPORT
GREENWOOD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE
$370,648GENERAL SUPPORT
CLARENDON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE
$350,305GENERAL SUPPORT
COLLETON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER
$344,992GENERAL SUPPORT
CHEROKEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER
$335,195GENERAL SUPPORT
BAMBERG COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS
$323,766GENERAL SUPPORT
MCCORMICK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE
$322,865GENERAL SUPPORT
GEORGETOWN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN
$314,704GENERAL SUPPORT
NEWBERRY COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER
$305,302GENERAL SUPPORT
FAIRFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE
$288,099GENERAL SUPPORT
UNION COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHI
$285,432GENERAL SUPPORT
BARNWELL COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER
$284,068GENERAL SUPPORT
CALHOUN COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS
$274,099GENERAL SUPPORT
KERSHAW COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS
$266,874GENERAL SUPPORT
JASPER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH
$254,764GENERAL SUPPORT
EDGEFIELD COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE
$252,419GENERAL SUPPORT
ALLENDALE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE
$250,061GENERAL SUPPORT
OCONEE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH
$244,834GENERAL SUPPORT
CHESTER COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS
$237,807GENERAL SUPPORT
SALUDA COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSH
$237,196GENERAL SUPPORT
LAURENS COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS
$235,485GENERAL SUPPORT
HAMPTON COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERS
$235,056GENERAL SUPPORT
ABBEVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNE
$226,844GENERAL SUPPORT
MARLBORO COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNER
$226,559GENERAL SUPPORT
PRIVATE 4K CHILD CARE CENTERS
$30,156,041APPROVED AUTHORIZATI
YORK COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIP
$1,571,604GENERAL SUPPORT
GREENVILLE COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTN
$1,380,640GENERAL SUPPORT