Grant Applications

The SC Bar Foundation is no longer accepting grant applications for Fiscal Year 2026. Please explore our eligibility requirements and timeline below to learn more about the application process for our next grant cycle.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for grant funding from the South Carolina Bar Foundation, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Be a 501(c)(3) or similar tax-exempt nonprofit.
Offer one or more of the following services in South Carolina:
- Legal services to indigent individuals
- Law-related education for the public
- Programs that improve the administration of justice

Annual Grant Cycle Timeline

Application Opens

Late November / Early December

Application Deadline

End of January

Review Process

February – April (interviews/calls)

Notification of Awards

Final Week of May

Funding Start Date

First Week of July

Horry County Grant

The Foundation currently administers additional grant funding designated specifically for use within Horry County, South Carolina, made available through a Cy Pres award from a 2021 settlement between Horry County and the City of Myrtle Beach. These funds must support one of the following categories: Civil Legal Aid, Administration of Justice, or Law-Related Education.

Beyond this, the only requirement is that the funding be used within Horry County.

Civil Legal Aid - Factors

To determine whether a program effectively supports civil legal aid, the Foundation considers the following criteria:

Provide free legal representation or access to free or low-cost legal representation to the poor or disadvantaged within the State of South Carolina; and
Employ a needs test consistent with income eligibility requirements of the federal poverty guidelines, defined annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Applicants need not apply this needs test to all clients served by their organization; however, delivery of services funded by the Foundation must be restricted to clients eligible under those poverty guidelines.

Together, these efforts help fulfill our commitment to justice through equitable access to legal support and education for all South Carolinians.

Administration of Justice - Factors

Programs or initiatives are evaluated for their contribution to the administration of justice using the following key considerations:

Provide legal services to the poor through innovative or cost-effective means; or
Provide civil legal aid either to underserved groups, such as the elderly or the disabled, or in an area of representation (whether substantive or geographical) that cannot be or is not effectively served by other qualified legal aid providers; or
Provide legal assistance, informational advocacy, or litigation support to qualified legal aid providers; or
Remove barriers to accessing our legal system; or
Promote the improvement of the administration of justice or our legal system.

By meeting these standards, programs reinforce our broader mission of ensuring legal access and upholding justice across the state.

Grant Application FAQs

May I apply at any time for SC Bar Foundation funding?

No, applications are only accepted during our open grant cycle, from early December to the end of January. We will provide notification via our website and social media about the specific dates of the grant cycle each year.

Is there a minimum or maximum amount I should request as a first-time applicant?

No, there are no caps or minimums. However, newer organizations without a track record are unlikely to receive large grants at first. We encourage all applicants to have other funding sources, as our total funds are shared across about 40 programs.

How much funding is available each year?

This amount varies every year, as our primary source of funding is impacted by interest rates. In Fiscal Year 2026, the Foundation awarded approximately $3.7 million in grants.

What are the Foundation’s priorities regarding its grant funding?

The Foundation strives to maintain funding for returning grantees each year, while accounting for inflation, and keeping in mind that new grantees may also be approved for funding.

What are the Foundation’s sources of funding?

The SC Bar Foundation is the manager of the statewide IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts) Program. Due to varying interest rates, this is an ever-changing source of funding. The Foundation also receives donations and, on occasion, residual funds from class action lawsuits.

How are applications submitted?

Applications are submitted through our website. Hard copy or emailed applications are not accepted.

May I request a private meeting with the Foundation to discuss my application?

The Foundation staff are happy to meet with you at any time during the year to discuss the application process. Once your application is submitted, you will have a phone interview with one of the Foundation’s board members to further discuss your application.

Who makes the decisions on grant applications?

The Foundation’s Board of Directors makes all grant decisions, including which applicants to fund and in what amounts. Staff have no influence over grant decisions.

How are grant payments provided?

Once approved for a grant, payments are provided by paper check, mailed to the organization’s address. The Foundation is working to provide ACH payments and will update this FAQ if that becomes an option.

If I want to apply for Horry County funds, is that a separate application?

No, the Horry County fund application is part of our regular grant application. You may apply for regular annual funds and Horry County funds at the same time, or simply one or the other.

What if I’m not a 501(c)(3) organization – am I still eligible?

If you are registered as a non-profit organization, even if not a 501(c)(3), you may still be eligible. The application will ask you to explain your organization’s setup if you’re not a 501(c)(3).

I’m not sure which category my program fits in. What should I select?

Choose the category that best reflects how you plan to use the funds. If your program fits more than one, just select the closest match. Your choice won’t affect your chances or funding amount—the full application is reviewed based on its overall strength, not just the category selected.