2024 Granting Cycles, Applications, and Guidelines

2024 Granting Guidelines

• Grants are for organizations whose proposed programs or projects provide direct benefit to residents in Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, Marlboro, and Williamsburg Counties.
• Grants are awarded to organizations with 501(c)(3) or other tax-exempt status. ECCF does not offer loans or grants to individuals.
• Grants are made to specific programs and/ projects and are not for endowment, sponsorships, or fundraising events. Grants may be made to existing programs or start-up programs. Proposals demonstrating collaboration with other organizations or unique community value are strongly encouraged. Duplication of existing services is to be avoided.
• Expenses charged against this grant may not be incurred prior to the start date of the grant.
• The grantee shall return to ECCF any unused funds at the end of the grant period. If ECCF determines the grantee has not performed as set forth in the Grant agreement or if the grantee organization loses its status as a public charity, funds shall be returned to ECCF.
• Future funding is conditional upon the grantee providing a final report within six months of grant acceptance or within 30 days of the completion of the program or project, whichever occurs later.
• Funding provided by the Foundation may not be used to participate or intervene in political campaigns or to support an attempt to influence legislation except to the extent that such activities are permissible under IRS rules for 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.
• ECCF Grant Applications must be submitted online. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• ECCF will consider applications from organizations that do not discriminate in their delivery of programs or services based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. It is not the intent of this policy to deny support for programs that serve specifically defined populations.
• For the community impact grants only, requests from churches, private schools, and local/regional/national foundations will not be considered.