Community Innovations Grant Program

Community Innovations Grant Program is sponsored by Barbara Stone Foundation. The Barbara Stone Foundation offers Community Innovations Grants to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in the Upstate of South Carolina for innovative programs and initiatives that empower individuals with disabilities, bridge service gaps, and provide solutions.

Application Process | Barbara Stone Foundation The Barbara Stone Foundation is committed to empowering individuals with disabilities. One of the ways we do this is by investing in innovative programs and initiatives that address unmet needs and provide creative solutions for the disability community in the Upstate of South Carolina.

Our Community Innovations Grant program prioritizes applications that propose groundbreaking approaches to bridging service gaps and fostering inclusion. Our hope is that creative individuals and organizations in our community’s amazing network of providers will develop new ways to ensure our community is place where individuals with disabilities flourish.

First time applicants are required schedule a phone call or meeting with the Executive Director prior to applying. This conversation will provide an opportunity to discuss the proposed program and ensure alignment with our mission and priorities. We also encourage all applicants to review the Frequently Asked Questions page for additional information.

Grant applications are reviewed biannually. Complete applications must be submitted by: If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted until the close of the next business day. Late submissions will be deferred to the subsequent review cycle.

To qualify for funding, applicants must: Be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving individuals with disabilities. First time applicants: schedule and complete a meeting with the Executive Director before submitting an application.

Submit a typewritten application (single-spaced and single-sided) which includes all Application Components listed below a one paragraph proposal overview – limit 400 words answers to the seven formal application questions below. Please do not exceed three pages (excluding required attachments).

Commit to active participation in Greenville CAN’s community initiatives for one year following funding by joining a Coalition Leadership Team and/or a Project Team. Attend the Community Innovations Grants Presentation at Bingo Bash (scheduled for Sunday, May 4, 2025). Note that previously funded and/or existing programs will be considered but only funded if they are undergoing significant expansion.

Submit completed applications by email to Lara Ceisel at lara@barbarastonefoundation. org or by mail to: For inquiries about the process or requirements, contact Lara Ceisel at lara@barbarastonefoundation. org or (864) 214-5798.

Applications chosen for the final round will be invited to present their proposals to the Barbara Stone Foundation Board of Directors in April, prior to final funding decisions. Include the following in your grant application: Brief description of the organization. EIN (Federal Tax ID Number).

Website address (if applicable). Program/Project Summary (limit 400 words) Description of the program, project, or initiative. Total funding amount requested and timeline for use of funds.

Responses to Formal Application Questions – Applicants will be required to address the following questions in their application: How is your program new and innovative? What gaps in services or opportunities are being filled? How does your program benefit the disability community – specifically, the adult disability community (post-high school)?

And how does your program benefit the Greenville/Upstate community as a whole? How does your program/project promote inclusion and/or connect people with disabilities to the non-disabled population? How do you envision a partnership with the Barbara Stone Foundation?

In what ways will you highlight this partnership (marketing, etc.)? How many people does this program impact? What do you anticipate growth to look like?

What are your plans for sustainability? Detailed budget for the proposed program. Other anticipated funding sources and amounts.

Name, email, and mailing address for communication regarding the application. Copy of your organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter. Current fiscal year budget or most recent annual financial statements (including balance sheet and income statement).

Statement of intended commitment to participating in Greenville CAN’s collective impact model. Do not include brochures, marketing materials, videos, thumb drives, or other promotional items. These will not be reviewed at this stage.

If awarded a grant, your organization must submit a final report (not exceeding two pages) upon full expenditure of funds or at the conclusion of the program timeline. The report should detail how the grant objectives were achieved. Future funding proposals will not be considered until reports for previous grants are submitted.

We look forward to receiving your application and collaborating to create a more inclusive and empowered community for individuals with disabilities. Our Grant Application Process The Barbara Stone Foundation has established a new grant application process to consider grant requests from 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in the Upstate of South Carolina.

Our goal is to invest in innovative programs and initiatives that empower individuals with disabilities, bridge gaps in existing programs and provide solutions to issues faced by the disabilities community. Grant applications for new and innovative programs that meet these criteria will be given priority in our funding decisions.

Our hope is that the creative individuals and organizations in our community’s amazing network of providers will develop new ways to ensure our community is a place where individuals with disabilities flourish.

Before submitting a grant application, please review the Frequently Asked Questions page (located under the “Grants” drop-down menu) for additional information and answers to FAQ’s regarding the Foundation’s funding priorities and grant application process. Grant Application Requirements Grant applications are considered twice a year.

Completed applications are due to the Foundation by the end of the day on: If a deadline date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is considered to be the end of the following business day. If your grant application is received after the deadline, it will not be considered until after the next application deadline.

Application Requirements: In order to submit a grant application to the Barbara Stone Foundation you must: Be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations who serve individuals with disabilities Submit a grant application in typewritten format, single-spaced and single-sided, not to exceed three pages (not including the required attachments) Grant Recipients are strongly encouraged to participate as a Greenville CAN Community Partner, for one year following grant funding, by joining the Coalition Leadership Team or one of Greenville CAN’s Project Teams Grant Recipients are required to attend the Community Innovations Grants Presentation at Bingo Bash on Sunday, May 7 Include the information described below.

Grant applications must be received by the end of the deadline day and can be submitted by email to Lara Ceisel at lara@barbarastonefoundation. org or by mail to: Barbara Stone Foundation, Attn: Grants, P. O.

Box 26567, Greenville, SC 29616. Please feel free to contact Lara Ceisel by email or by phone (864-214-5798) with any questions regarding the application process or requirements.

A brief description of the organization, its EIN (Federal Tax ID Number) and website address, if applicable A summary of the program, project, or initiative for which funding is being requested The total funding amount being requested and a timeline for the use of the funds A budget for the proposed program for which funding is being requested If you are requesting, or depending on, grants or contributions from other organizations to fund the program please identify the anticipated sources and amounts of such funds A clear statement of program/grant objectives and how they will be evaluated A statement of how the program benefits individuals with disabilities If the project or program is already established or will continue beyond the grant period, please describe you plans for sustainability beyond the grant from the Barbara Stone Foundation Contact name and information, including email and mailing address, for further communication with regards to your organization’s application As an attachment, a copy of your organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter As an attachment, a copy of your organization’s budget for the current fiscal year or your organization’s most recent annual financial statements (including balance sheet and income statement) Intended commitment to participating in BSF’s Greenville CAN collective impact model Brochures, marketing materials, videos, thumb drives, etc. should not be sent with a grant application.

Any such attachments will not be considered at this stage of review. If you are awarded a grant, you will be expected to submit a final report (not to exceed two pages) after the grant funds have been fully expended or the program/project timeline has ended, whichever occurs first.

If your organization is a former grantee, please note that we will not consider any future proposals from your organization until a report is provided for any previous grants received from the Barbara Stone Foundation.