Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is a public charity based in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Its mission is to strengthen community by connecting people, resources, and needs. It makes grants and awards scholarships, and supports nonprofits through community leadership, organizational development, networking, and convenings.
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry at a glance
In short: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry gave $9.4M across 193 grants in 2025 (avg $49K), mostly in South Carolina. 35% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $9,408,513
- +20.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 193
- +46.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $48,749
- -17.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $99,697,960
- +10.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (67 of 190, 2025)
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (83% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
- Contact
Mailing address: 4 Northridge Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925
Phone: (843) 681-9100
Website: https://cf-lowcountry.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
44 open opportunities from Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
Alliance Global Partners Scholarship Grant
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Scholarship Grant
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Amazing Grace Sulak Scholarship Grant
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Community Foundation of the Lowcountry funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of South Carolina Beaufort Education Foundation ($1.2M). Together the top 10 received $3.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
910 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 739 grants of 910 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s four-county service area is Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper Counties. Its Impact Grants have a narrower geographic restriction: applicants must serve people who live or work in Hilton Head Island, Daufuskie Island, or Greater Bluffton. The 2025 filing shows that 83% of grant dollars went to South Carolina recipients, with additional grants to recipients in Illinois, North Carolina, Michigan, and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 193 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Community Foundation of the Lowcountry open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 67 of 190 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $64K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $24K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $5.3M (2021) to $9.4M (2025). In 2025 it made 193 grants totaling $9.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina Beaufort Education Foundation Bluffton, SC | Education | $1,234,463 |
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | Education | $505,000 |
| Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island Hilton Head Island, SC | Health | $379,558 |
| The Hilton Head Island Deep Well Project Hilton Head Island, SC | Human Services | $354,423 |
| Coastal Community Development Corporation Hilton Head Island, SC | Community Devel | $312,500 |
| Bluffton Self Help Bluffton, SC | Human Services | $213,554 |
| Heritage Classic Foundation Hilton Head Island, SC | Community Devel | $188,764 |
| The Children's Center Inc Hilton Head Island, SC | Education | $187,103 |
| Lowcountry Legal Volunteers Bluffton, SC | Human Services | $174,600 |
| Hopeful Horizons Beaufort, SC | Human Services | $171,766 |
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation of the Lowcountry?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $99,697,960 | $19,029,339 | $16,501,885 | $9,408,513 | 193 | $2,233,473 |
| 2024 | $89,904,103 | $16,716,723 | $14,202,912 | $7,815,564 | 132 | $1,269,222 |
| 2023 | $80,288,803 | $13,824,137 | $15,079,799 | $7,984,928 | 321 | $1,118,351 |
| 2022 | $75,355,203 | $27,760,510 | $12,116,291 | $6,414,260 | 134 | $2,246,267 |
| 2021 | $73,666,667 | $27,497,262 | $10,251,602 | $5,251,078 | 130 | $18,100,787 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states its mission as “strengthening community by connecting people, resources, and needs.” Its website identifies grantmaking areas including animal welfare, arts and culture, community development, education, environment, health, and human services.
Its 2025 grants included support for education, health, human services, community development, and youth services. Among the organizations supported, the University of South Carolina Beaufort Education Foundation describes its work as advancing outreach and private-sector support for the university. Volunteers in Medicine Clinic says it serves the health and wellness needs of medically underserved people and households on Hilton Head and Daufuskie Islands. Deep Well says it addresses clients’ basic needs, including food, rent, utilities, health services, transportation, and safety-focused home repairs. Coastal Community Development Corporation describes its mission as increasing the availability of housing for the local and regional workforce.
Grantmaking
The foundation’s grantmaking includes competitive application programs, grants made at donors’ requests, and grants from individual funds. Its 2025 filing reports 193 grants totaling $9,408,513. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $1,234,463, with a median grant of $15,000.
The largest reported 2025 grants included $1,234,463 to the University of South Carolina Beaufort Education Foundation for education; $505,000 to Northwestern University for education; $379,558 to Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island for health; $354,423 to The Hilton Head Island Deep Well Project for human services; and $312,500 to Coastal Community Development Corporation for community development. Other notable grants included $213,554 to Bluffton Self Help, $188,764 to Heritage Classic Foundation, and $187,103 to The Children’s Center Inc.
Community Investment programs include Impact Grants, generally for requests over $10,000, and Opportunity Grants, for requests of $10,000 or less. Impact Grants support new or expanded programs and projects or qualifying capital investments, and are restricted to organizations serving people who live or work in Hilton Head Island, Daufuskie Island, or Greater Bluffton. Opportunity Grants are available to organizations within the foundation’s four-county service area. The website also describes Organizational Development Grants to help nonprofits retain consultants to strengthen their organizations.
For Impact Grants, applicants must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofits that are not private foundations, serve the specified Impact Grant area, and receive an access code from Community Investment staff. The foundation generally will not consider requests for general operating support, sectarian or religious activities, political activities or organizations, grants directly to individuals, endowments, annual fundraising campaigns, special events or fundraisers, or scholarships. Its Grantseekers Toolkit directs organizations to complete a Grant Inquiry Form after reviewing the relevant materials; staff then follow up about next steps. Donor-advised fund grants are generally recommended by donors and do not have an application process.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lynn Jennings Taylor as board chair, Tray Hunter as vice chair, Judi Levy as secretary, and Paul Moeri as treasurer. Directors listed on the filing are Arno Dimmling, Dafina Ward, Doug Wetmore, Faye Gooding, Jim Wagner, and John Levy.
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is led by Scott Wierman, President & CEO on filings since 2021; 3 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Scott Wierman
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$148K (2021) → $281K (2025)
Lynn Jennings Taylor
Board Chair
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arno Dimmling
Director
Director → Board Member, 2022
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John C Levy
Director
Director → Board Member, 2022
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dafina Ward
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Doug Wetmore
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Faye Gooding
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Wagner
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Bush
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lloyd Newton
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephan Evans
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Fanelli
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Moore
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yolanda Branche
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Charles
Vice President for Finance
Vice President for Finance & Administrator → Vice President for Finance, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$92K (2022) → $113K (2025)
Mary Rooney
Vice President for Development & Donor Services
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$113K (2024) → $117K (2025)
Paul Moeri
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judi Levy
Secretary
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tray Hunter
Vice Chair
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (35)
- Former: Block Geoff (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Charles Nicole (2023) — Vice President for Finance & Administration
- Former: Curl Yvonne (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Dimmling Arno (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Evans Stephen (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Fletcher Doug (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Hunter Tray (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Levy John (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Mahony Sheila (2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Moeri Paul (2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Panu Al (2023) — Secretary
- Former: Peterson Shirley (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Rosenblum David (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Rosswurm Jaqueline (2023) — Chair
- Former: Taylor Lynn Jennings (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Ward Allen (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Ward Dafina (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Wetmore Doug (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Wierman Scott (2023) — President & CEO
- Former: Wycoff Michelle (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Al Panu (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Allen Ward (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: David Rosenblum (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Doug Fletcher (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Geoff Block (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jackie Rosswurm (2021–2022) — Chair
- Former: Linda Fiore (2021–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Michael Marks (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Michelle Wycoff (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Sandy Benson (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Sheila Mahony (2021–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Shirley Peterson (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Yvonne Curl (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: David Wetmore (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: James Allhusen (2021) — Chairman
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $281K, to Scott Wierman (President and CEO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
How much does Community Foundation of the Lowcountry give each year?
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry gave $9.4M across 193 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $7.8M across 132 grants.
What is Community Foundation of the Lowcountry's typical grant size?
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $48,749, across 193 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation of the Lowcountry that year got $23K on average.
Where does Community Foundation of the Lowcountry give grants?
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry gives mostly in South Carolina: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Hilton Head Island, SC (49 grants), Bluffton, SC (30 grants), Beaufort, SC (15 grants) and Ridgeland, SC (6 grants).
Does Community Foundation of the Lowcountry give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 193 grants with a stated purpose on Community Foundation of the Lowcountry's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Human Services" (54 grants), "Education" (46 grants) and "Health" (28 grants).
Who are Community Foundation of the Lowcountry's largest grantees?
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry's largest 2025 grantees include University of South Carolina Beaufort Education Foundation ($1,234,463), Northwestern University ($505,000) and Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island ($379,558), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation of the Lowcountry?
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry reported $99.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $19.0M.
What does Community Foundation of the Lowcountry fund?
The foundation states its mission as “strengthening community by connecting people, resources, and needs.” Its website identifies grantmaking areas including animal welfare, arts and culture, community development, education, environment, health, and human services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of the Lowcountry?
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cf-lowcountry.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Community Foundation of the Lowcountry's EIN?
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-0756987. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Foundation of the Lowcountry's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in South Carolina
Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina Inc
N Charleston, SC
Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina supports nonprofits and community initiatives in education, health, human services, the environment, arts, social justice, and community development across nine coastal South Carolina counties. Its 2024 itemized grants ranged from $5,057 to $2.3 million, with a median of $16,500; competitive programs accept applications through its online portal.
Assets
$435.6M
Grants
459
Total Given
$26.0M
Central Carolina Community Foundation
Columbia, SC
Central Carolina Community Foundation funds education, human services, health, arts and culture, community development, disaster relief, and related community initiatives through specific grant programs. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, and it primarily serves 11 Midlands counties while also funding statewide and nationally. It accepts applications through its online portal during published grant periods for specific opportunities; some programs are invitation-only.
Assets
$264.3M
Grants
488
Total Given
$26.5M
Community Foundation of Greenville Inc
Greenville, SC
Community Foundation of Greenville funds nonprofits and projects in arts, education, environment, health, and human services, with a focus on Greenville County, South Carolina. Its 2026 Capacity Building Grants award $5,000–$12,500; 2024 grants had a median of $23,900. It accepts unsolicited requests through its Capacity Building Grants program.
Assets
$118.8M
Grants
346
Total Given
$26.4M
South Carolina Christian Foundation
Spartanburg, SC
The foundation funds Christian ministries, churches, and quality-of-life organizations, with particular attention through its Community Trust Grants to Christian nonprofits in five South Carolina counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $15,000, though awards varied widely; most grant dollars went to South Carolina, with additional funding in other states. Community Trust applicants must submit a Ministry Introduction Form and be invited to apply; the profile does not state whether other requests are unsolicited.
Assets
$45.4M
Grants
285
Total Given
$11.6M
United Community Bank Foundation
Greenville, SC
United Community Bank Foundation funds economic empowerment, arts, housing and youth development in communities served across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $16,000, with a median of $2,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; grants go to preselected organizations.
Assets
$12.6M
Grants
235
Total Given
$505K
Spartanburg County Foundation
Spartanburg, SC
The Spartanburg County Foundation funds nonprofits and community groups serving Spartanburg County residents, with priorities including quality of life, education, economic mobility, and organizational capacity. Its itemized 2025 grants had a median of $15,500; listed programs offer awards of up to $10,000–$35,000.
Assets
$280.4M
Grants
227
Total Given
$19.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in South Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Community Foundation of the Lowcountry funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-of-the-lowcountry-morg_f0765da2aa044cb5817d1dd5693867a0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_570756987_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Community Foundation of the Lowcountry funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-of-the-lowcountry-morg_f0765da2aa044cb5817d1dd5693867a0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Community Foundation of the Lowcountry's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry down — hundreds of funders to go?