General Operating Support Grants

General Operating Support Grants is sponsored by Central Carolina Community Foundation. This program provides multi-year unrestricted funding for established nonprofits with budgets under $650,000 that have previously received grants from the Central Carolina Community Foundation.

General Operating Support Grants General Operating Support Grants Central Carolina Community Foundation (CCCF) recognizes that to cultivate a community full of vitality and opportunity, nonprofits that work tirelessly to advocate for our diverse residents must be sustained. Our General Operating Support Grants (GOS) support this work by investing in these nonprofits to increase their capacity to carry out their mission.

In 2021, CCCF began providing multi-year GOS grants and has continued to explore ways to promote, facilitate, and increase philanthropy to create sustainable impact within our community. What are General Operating Support Grants? CCCF’s GOS grants provide multi-year, unrestricted operations funding to eligible nonprofits.

Nonprofits can use the funds based on their organization’s operational needs and priorities. By accepting the grants, the awarded nonprofits agree to 1) expense the funds annually, 2) complete an annual report, 3) attend quarterly grantee meetings, 4) register their nonprofit on MidlandsGives. org , 5) use funds towards operations and administrative costs, and 6) maintain regular communication with CCCF staff.

To invest in communities that have been historically under invested in by philanthropy. To provide resources to organizations that are trusted by, connected to, and rooted in community. To cultivate trusting relationships between CCCF and nonprofit organizations within the 11 counties in the Midlands.

To increase nonprofit organizations’ capacity to serve their community and sustain high quality services beyond the three-year grant period. In general, our GOS grants provide operational support to organizations and communities that have traditionally been underserved by philanthropy.

Grantees will be selected based on the following criteria: Alignment with CCCF’s mission, values, and priorities Connection to and representation by the community they serve Proven outcomes in addressing a community need Opportunity to increase the nonprofit’s capacity History of collaborative work and philanthropy To be eligible to apply for a GOS grant, nonprofits must: Be determined as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and have nonprofit status for at least two years (determination letter dated no later than January 31, 2024).

Have an annual Organization budget under $650,000. Have at least one paid employee who dedicates a minimum of 20 hours a week to the organization. Have applied for and received a grant from CCCF in the past four years (grant start date: July 1, 2022-present).

Have a physical location (based on EIN address) in CCCF’s 11 county service area (Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter). Be registered on Midlands Gives .

If funded, agree to ongoing communication with CCCF staff, completion of annual reports, attendance at quarterly grantee meetings, using funds towards operations and administrative costs, and expensing all grant funds annually. There are no other restrictions placed on grant funds. $30,000; awarded $10,000 per year for up to three years contingent on grantee meeting eligibility requirements.

January 1 – January 31- Applications accepted January 6, at 10am – Applicant Interest Webinar ( register here ) March 18 – Applicants notified of Round 1 status April 1 – (9am-3pm) –Round 2 interviews (by invitation) April 17 – Applicants notified of application status Project Timeline – June 1, 2026- May 31, 2029 Application will open January 1.

Prior to completing the application, please determine if your organization aligns with funding priorities and eligibility. If eligible, organizations must complete a two-step application process which includes a Round 1 online application and Round 2 interview (by invitation). All applications will be submitted through the grant portal .

You are encouraged to review the entire application prior to entering information, and you will be able to log out and return to complete your application in this system. Declinations will be sent via email. CCCF will conduct due diligence and confirm eligibility for nonprofits that complete a Round 1 online application.

CCCF staff and GOS grant review committee will review the applications and select organizations for a Round 2 interview. The GOS grant review committee will make funding recommendations to the CCCF Board of Trustees for final approval. The CCCF Board of Trustees will vote to approve, or not, the committee’s recommendation.

For further information, please contact Trimease Carter 803-978-7826 x315, or email [email protected] . Central Carolina Community Foundation Selected for National Trust for Civic Life Initiative Supporting Rural Communities Sumter Community Foundation Awards Grants to Combat Food Insecurity, Welcomes New Board Leadership Simplify your giving and gain a partner who understands your philanthropic goals.

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