Gbsc Foundation

## Approach & Fit Strategy

The GBSC Foundation is a private operating foundation established in 2024 that functions as the funding vehicle for a major youth soccer facility development in Awendaw, South Carolina. With $14.3 million in assets — virtually all from a single $14.25 million contribution in 2024 — the foundation is singularly focused on building and operating a state-of-the-art soccer complex serving children and nonprofits in the Charleston area. This is not a grantmaking foundation in the traditional sense; it does not solicit or review grant applications. The foundation is closely linked to South Carolina Surf Soccer Club (Tripp Moye serves as president of both the foundation and SC Surf) and backed by Lawrence Guffey's family. Organizations seeking to benefit from GBSC Foundation resources should focus on partnership opportunities with the soccer facility rather than grant applications — specifically youth soccer programming, community recreation access, or nonprofit sports programs that could utilize the Awendaw complex. The foundation's stated intent to "serve children and other non-profits" suggests potential for facility-sharing arrangements with aligned organizations.

## Funding Patterns & Grant Landscape

The GBSC Foundation displays a highly unusual financial profile that reflects its single-purpose operating nature. In its first substantive year (2024), the foundation received $14.25 million in contributions — virtually its entire asset base — from a single donor source (the Guffey family). Total expenses were only $107,948, all classified as charitable disbursements, indicating the foundation is still in its development phase and has not yet deployed the bulk of its capital. In 2022 (its first filing year), the foundation received $750,000 and spent only $8,278. Program expenses of $385,867 were reported for facility development activities. The foundation operates with zero liabilities and zero officer compensation, suggesting it functions as a pass-through vehicle for the Guffey family's investment in youth soccer infrastructure. The massive gap between assets ($14.3M) and annual spending (~$108K) indicates that the majority of funds are earmarked for the multi-phase facility buildout at the 104-acre Awendaw property, which includes Phase 1 (three fields, pavilion, restrooms) and Phase 2 (expanded parking, Charleston Battery professional training facility).

## Peer Comparison

The GBSC Foundation is unique among Charleston-area foundations in its dedicated focus on a single sports facility project. Unlike the Coastal Community Foundation (which manages $300M+ for broad community grantmaking) or the U.S. Soccer Foundation (which runs national programs), GBSC is a purpose-built vehicle for one family's investment in local soccer infrastructure. The $14.3M asset base makes it one of the largest private foundations in the Charleston area, but its operating model means these assets are committed to facility development rather than available for external grants. The foundation's closest functional peer is the Charleston Battery's community arm, which also combines professional soccer with youth development — and will become a direct partner when Phase 2 brings Battery training facilities to the GBSC-funded Awendaw complex.

## Recent Activity & Trends

Facility Development: The GBSC Foundation's primary activity is the development of a 12-acre soccer complex at 5050 Highway 17 N, Awendaw, on a 104-acre property acquired from the McCaskill family. The project took three years of planning and eight months of construction. Phase 1 opened in late 2024 with two FIFA-regulated 11v11 fields, one 9v9 field, a goalkeeper training area, and construction underway on a covered pavilion, permanent restrooms, and concession areas. Phase 2 (announced August 2024) will double parking capacity and add a professional training facility for the Charleston Battery.

Major Financial Event: The $14.25 million contribution received in 2024 represents a transformative infusion of capital, growing the foundation from $742K to $14.3M in a single year. This suggests the Guffey family made a decisive commitment to fully fund the multi-phase development.

Governance: The foundation is led by Tripp Moye (President, also president of SC Surf Soccer Club), Miranda Sun (Secretary), Hamish Burt (Director), and Lawrence Guffey (Member/primary funder). All officers serve without compensation, indicating the foundation operates with minimal administrative overhead.

Community Impact: The facility has already hosted top national youth soccer clubs including Top Hat (Atlanta), IMG Academy, and Florida United, establishing itself as a regional competition venue. SC Surf Soccer Club serves as the anchor tenant, providing year-round youth programming.

## Application Tips & Strategy

The GBSC Foundation is not a traditional grantmaking foundation and does not accept or review grant applications. However, organizations may benefit from its resources through the following approaches:

1. Facility Partnership — Nonprofits serving youth in the Charleston area could explore facility-use agreements with the Awendaw soccer complex. The foundation's stated mission includes serving "other non-profits," suggesting openness to sharing the facility with aligned organizations for youth sports, after-school programs, or community events.

2. SC Surf Soccer Club Connection — Since Tripp Moye leads both the foundation and SC Surf, organizations should engage through SC Surf's community programming channels. Youth-serving nonprofits may be able to integrate their programs with SC Surf's recreational and competitive offerings.

3. Phase 2 Opportunities — The planned Charleston Battery training facility expansion creates potential partnership opportunities for organizations involved in professional sports community outreach, sports medicine, or athlete development programs.

4. Community Recreation Access — Organizations focused on underserved youth populations should explore whether the foundation offers community access hours, reduced-fee programs, or scholarship opportunities for facility use.

5. No Direct Grant Applications — Do not submit unsolicited grant proposals. The foundation is a single-purpose operating entity that deploys its resources exclusively through the soccer facility development and operations.

Contact: 1080 Morrison Dr Ste 320, Charleston, SC 29403 | Website: gbsc.org (currently minimal content)