Building Connections at the 3rd Annual Grantee Networking Event

On July 21 and 22, the South Carolina Bar Foundation hosted its 3rd Annual Grantee Speed Networking Event and Inaugural Grantee Reception in Columbia, South Carolina. These special gatherings brought together representatives from grantee organizations across the state for two days of meaningful engagement, open dialogue, and peer-to-peer learning. Eighty-six attendees participated by sharing their work, exchanging ideas, and strengthening connections across South Carolina’s community.

For Fiscal Year 2027 (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027), the South Carolina Bar Foundation awarded more than $7.1 million in grants to 50 law-related nonprofit organizations and programs, marking the largest single grant allocation in the Foundation’s 55-year history. To help offset federal funding cuts and spur innovative community projects, nearly $1.2 million of the total was distributed through the Foundation’s specialized Impact Fund.

Kicking off the festivities on the evening of July 21, the Foundation was thrilled to host its first-ever Grantee Reception. This special evening provided grantees with an invaluable opportunity to connect informally before the main networking programming began, giving grantees additional time to build deeper relationships, strengthen professional bonds, and celebrate their collective impact on South Carolina’s legal landscape.

The momentum continued on July 22 with the 3rd Annual Grantee Speed Networking Event, a full day of connection and collaboration. Throughout the event, grantees shared their mission-driven work, discussed common challenges, and identified new opportunities for strategic partnerships. From civil legal service providers to educational initiative organizers, attendees exchanged practical insights and explored ways to maximize the reach and effectiveness of their programs.

Grantee-centered events highlight the vital role collaboration plays in expanding access to justice. The South Carolina Bar Foundation remains dedicated to supporting its grantee partners not only through grant funding, but also by creating spaces where meaningful connections and powerful community solutions can take root.