Upward Unlimited

About Upward Unlimited

Upward Unlimited’s recent grants show a ministry strategy built around sports, church partnerships, and gospel outreach, with the largest award of $1,391,632 going to Samaritan's Purse for general support. In 2025, the foundation also made a $450,000 grant to Church at the Mill for new churches and a $375,000 grant to Jumpstart USA for prison transition programs in other states, showing that its giving extends beyond athletics into church planting and reentry work. The foundation’s summary phrase, "Promoting the discovery of Jesus through sports," aligns with a portfolio that links athletic programs to discipleship, youth mentoring, and faith-based community service. Its 2025 grants also include support for campus ministry, Christian community centers, children’s homes, camps, and international mission work. The pattern is not limited to one grantee or one program type: the recent grants list includes churches, mission boards, campus ministries, and social-service ministries across South Carolina and beyond. The organization also makes program-related investments, indicating that it uses more than one capital tool in its work.

What Upward Unlimited Funds

Sports ministry is central to Upward Unlimited’s grantmaking. It gave $130,000 to the International Mission Board for "Sharing Christ Through Sports," $35,000 to WIN Awakening for "Christ-Centered Support for Coaches & Atheletes," and $31,000 to Impact Sports International for "Support Sports Missions." The foundation also backs church-linked sports programming, including $26,000 to Clark County Youth Sports Assoc Inc for "Share Christ Through Upward Programs." Youth and campus ministry are another clear theme. Recent grants include $150,000 to Young Life for "Sharing Gospel Amongst Spartanburg College Campuses" and $150,000 to Campus Outreach Columbia for "Campus Ministry at Spartanburg Methodist." It also supported youth camps with $25,000 to Grace Community Church of SC and gave $26,000 to South Carolina Baptist Convention-Camp McCall for "Evangelize, Disciple & Mentor Through Summer Camps." The portfolio also reaches into community and family support through faith-based organizations, such as grants to Miracle Hill for Christ-centered care for homeless people and Isaiah 117 House for foster children awaiting placement.

How Upward Unlimited Gives