Joanna Foundation

## Approach Strategy

The Joanna Foundation is one of South Carolina's oldest and most accessible private foundations, established in 1945 by the Joanna Cotton Mills Company to benefit citizens of Joanna, SC (Newberry County). Now based on Sullivan's Island and led by Margaret P. Schachte (Executive Vice President, compensated at $50,621/year), the foundation has evolved into a major regional grantmaker supporting the greater Charleston area and original South Carolina communities.

This is a genuinely open grantmaker with a well-documented application process, three funding cycles per year, and an active website. The Joanna Foundation is one of the most accessible private foundations of its asset size ($3.5-4.8M) in the Southeast.

Key access points: - Website: joannafoundation.org — full application forms, FAQs, grant policies, and deadlines - Phone: (843) 883-9199 (Margaret P. Schachte) - Mailing: PO Box 308, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482 - 2026 LOI deadlines: January 7, April 9, August 13

Grant strategy: The foundation makes many small grants ($1,500-$5,000 range for most organizations, with a few larger grants up to $30,000). Organizations should plan for modest first-year grants and build the relationship over multiple cycles. The portfolio includes 47-52 grantees per year — a broad, community-based portfolio approach.

## Funding Patterns

The Joanna Foundation has distributed $128,000-$204,000 annually over the past decade from a stable asset base of $3.5-5.7M.

Historical giving: - 2023: $136,550 (47 grants) — typical year - 2022: $169,500 (52 grants) - 2021: $204,000 — peak year (likely COVID recovery surge) - 2020: $146,285 (COVID year — maintained giving) - 2019: $128,875 - 2018: $182,995 - 2017: $124,000

Grant size distribution: The vast majority of grants (45 out of 47 in 2023) fall in the $500-$4,999 range. Only 1-2 larger grants per year reach the $5,000-$30,000 range. The maximum single grant ($30,000) is rare and likely reserved for established grantee relationships.

The foundation has operated consistently without new contributions since at least 2018, sustained entirely from investment returns. Asset base has ranged from $3.4M to $5.7M depending on market conditions.

Pattern: Three funding cycles/year with LOIs submitted electronically. New organizations typically receive small exploratory grants ($1,500-$3,000) before scaling up with the relationship.

## Peer Comparison

The Joanna Foundation fills a specific niche: mid-size community grantmaker focused on general operating support for small nonprofits in the Charleston metro area. With 47-52 grantees per year and typical grants of $1,500-$5,000, it functions like a local United Way in distribution strategy — many small gifts providing unrestricted general operating support.

For larger Charleston-area grants, the Coastal Community Foundation of SC (statewide) and the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation (which funds Lowcountry conservation) are more substantial alternatives.

## Recent Activity

2023 grantees represent the breadth of the Charleston nonprofit ecosystem: Avian Conservation Center, Carolina Ocean Alliance, Turtle Survival Alliance (environment); Trident Literacy, Doors to Dream (education); NAMI SC, Three Rivers Respite (mental health); ICNA Relief Shifa Free Clinic (healthcare); Dress for Success Charleston, James Island Outreach, Latino Community Development (social services); Newberry Opera House Foundation (arts); and dozens more.

Website lists current grantees prominently on the homepage: Birthday Buds, Healing Hurts, Carolina Ocean Alliance, Doors to Dream, Charleston RISE, Charleston Area Justice Ministry, Sight Savers South Carolina, Ari Foss Foundation, Charleston Legal Access, Lowcountry Center for Academic Equity, Ebony Myers Hope Foundation, Impact Justice, Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services, Cuisine Rescue, and Avian Conservation Center.

The 2026 LOI calendar: January 7, April 9, and August 13 are posted on the foundation's website. The foundation actively posts news updates about upcoming deadlines, indicating active administration.

Historical note: The foundation was established by the Joanna Cotton Mills Company in 1945 to benefit Joanna, SC (Newberry County) and has evolved to primarily serve the Charleston metro area, reflecting population growth and economic centers of modern South Carolina.

## Application Tips

This is one of the most accessible private foundations in South Carolina. Apply using the online LOI form at joannafoundation.org/application-procedures/. Three cycles per year with 2026 deadlines on January 7, April 9, and August 13.

Step-by-step application strategy:

1. Confirm eligibility: Must be a 501(c)(3) public charity (not a private foundation) with significant programmatic impact in Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, Laurens, or Newberry Counties, SC.

2. Submit LOI: Electronically via the foundation's website form. LOIs should be concise and focused on your specific program request rather than organizational history.

3. Grant size expectations: First-time applicants should request $2,000-$5,000 for general operating support or a specific program. Do not lead with a large ask. The foundation funds many organizations small amounts rather than a few organizations large amounts.

4. General operating support is fine: The vast majority of 2023 grants were for "general support." The Joanna Foundation is comfortable with unrestricted general operating funding — a welcome exception among private foundations.

5. Build multi-year relationships: The grantee list shows many organizations appearing in multiple years (Avian Conservation Center, Our Lady of Mercy, Doors to Dream, Carolina Ocean Alliance, etc.). First grants are exploratory; larger grants come after demonstrated impact.

6. Contact directly if needed: Margaret P. Schachte, Executive Vice President: (843) 883-9199, PO Box 308, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482.

7. Diversity of causes funded: The foundation funds arts, environment, social services, legal aid, healthcare, education, and community development — a broadly inclusive portfolio. If your organization serves the Charleston metro in any of these areas, you have a reasonable chance of funding.