Connected Communities is a challenge grant for interesting and engaging ideas to improve the community’s quality of life and livability and increase residents’ satisfaction and community attachment.
Donor Name: Central Carolina Community Foundation
State: South Carolina
County: Selected Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 09/30/2023
Size of the Grant: $10,000-$50,000
Grant Duration: 1 year
Details:
Central Carolina Community Foundation is working to make the Midlands more connected, vibrant, compassionate, and engaged. It strives for a livable, equitable and just community to live, work, play and raise a family. Connected Communities grants support this work through funding innovative ideas from nonprofit organizations that will further knit community together. The Foundation aims to inspire organizations to engage and invest in community and build on the community’s existing assets.
More specifically, Connected Communities grants will fund the most important elements of an attractive community as identified by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Gallup, and On the Table community surveys.
Connected Communities projects should increase quality of life, community attachment and satisfaction by increasing Midlands residents’ easy access to:
- Safe places to live and work
- Healthcare facilities and services
- Quality job opportunities
- Affordable housing
- Safe, proximal, high-quality recreational areas
- Quality arts and cultural events
Priority will be given to projects that promote equity, and incorporate policy, advocacy, institutional/systems change and/or social justice (equal rights, opportunity, and treatment for all). Organizations that are outside Richland County and/or led by Black, Indigenous and people of color are encouraged to apply.
Funding Information
Applicants may request $10,000-$50,000.
Grant Period
Programs should begin by March 1 and be complete by the following February 28.
The foundation is looking for ideas that
- Enhance community connections in the Midlands.
- Incorporate novel approaches to creating a vibrant, connected community.
- Raise public awareness of the area/region.
- Provide a measurable level of community involvement (volunteers or participants).
- Are for new or expansion projects. Current programs from organizations will not be considered.
- Promote philanthropy across region.
Eligibility Requirements
- Organizations must be determined as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, public entities or other charitable, educational or faith-based organizations.
- Organizations must be physically located in one of the following 11 counties in the Midlands: Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda and Sumter
- Organizations must register for and participate in Midlands Gives
- Current Connected Communities grantees can apply; the same project can only be funded a maximum of three times. If a program/project is funded more than once, the grantee matching requirement will increase annually: 1st – 20%, 2nd – 30% and 3rd – 40%
The foundation will not fund
- Routine operating expenses of the organization
- Programs that are routinely implemented at an organization
- Fundraising projects—including events
- Debt reduction
- Endowment or capital campaigns
- Medical research
- Conference travel, underwriting or sponsorship
For more information, visit CCCF.
