The Springs Close Foundation (SCF) originates from a local family’s success in the textile industry and is an important grantmaker to know in the northern part of South Carolina. Colonel Elliott White Springs created this foundation based on a belief that he and his family had an obligation to care for their company’s workers and the communities they lived in. That was back in 1942, and although Springs passed away in 1959, his legacy lives on through the work of the foundation, including its 14-member board of directors, a full-time staff and part-time consultants.
Here’s what South Carolina nonprofits need to know about the Springs Close Foundation and its local giving.
A focus on critical basic support
Currently, SCF is focusing its attention on food, shelter and medical assistance for local people in need. It has taken a basic needs approach to grantmaking and only considers awarding grants to organizations that can deliver these types of services. Past grants have gone to local school districts, homeless shelters, senior meals programs and Habitat for Humanity efforts.
However, another aspect of SCF’s giving is a no-interest student loan program, which remains a part of the funder’s overall strategy. Also, a big priority for SCF right now is grantmaking related to early childhood.
Three community boards
SCF’s grantmaking centers on three South Carolina counties: Chester, Lancaster and York. To tap into local needs in each county, SCF has created three separate community boards—one in each county. These community boards review grant applications, make site visits and decide who receives grants. SCF has an executive committee at its main office that reviews requests for programs that serve multiple counties.
Two application deadlines
Grantseekers will be happy to learn that SCF is an accessible funder that accepts grant applications throughout the year. However, two deadlines to keep in mind are March 1 and October 1. The community boards make decisions about grants based on these two deadlines and then notify applicants about grants around early April and early November. Most SCF grants are under $35,000, and if an organization needs more than this or is pursuing a capital campaign, it’ll need to contact the foundation consultant serving its county to discuss the idea first.
Emergency funding is available
If it isn’t practical to wait for the next grant cycle, there is also an opportunity to apply for emergency funding from SCF. Emergency grant requests must be kept at $5,000 or less, but the boards will consider awarding these funds at any time of the year.
Since 1942, SCF and its predecessor foundations have awarded over $104 million to nonprofits. Learn more about this funder in IP’s full profile of the Springs Close Foundation, which is part of our Southeast Funding Guide.