South Carolina Humanities Council Inc
South Carolina Humanities Council Inc, based in Columbia, South Carolina, is a public charity that supports humanities programs and initiatives. Its website describes work that includes literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos, and other humanities-based experiences.
South Carolina Humanities Council Inc at a glance
In short: South Carolina Humanities Council Inc gave $156K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), mostly in South Carolina. 50% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $155,884
- -34.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- -40.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,990
- +10.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $11,500
- Total assets
- $1,842,752
- +19.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (6 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (100% 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 South Carolina Humanities Council Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: Post Office Box 5287, Columbia, SC 29250
Phone: (803) 771-2477
Website: https://schumanities.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from South Carolina Humanities Council Inc
Fast Track Literary Grants
South Carolina Humanities Council Inc
Amount
Up to $2,500
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
SC Humanities Festival
South Carolina Humanities Council Inc
Amount
$10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
SC Humanities: Major Grants
South Carolina Humanities Council Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who South Carolina Humanities Council Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of South Carolina ($25K). Together the top 10 received $144K.
Grant Size Distribution
128 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 128 grants of 128 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s website describes programs and activities across South Carolina, including rural areas. Its 2025 filing reported that all grant dollars went to South Carolina recipients. The organization’s FY2024 filing narrative said it awarded 79 grants totaling $421,103 to organizations in 41 counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
Is South Carolina Humanities Council Inc open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 12 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $17K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $126K (2019) to $730K (2021). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $156K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina Columbia, SC | Exhibit Oral History | $24,800 |
| Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC | SCHD & Lectures | $20,884 |
| Clemson University Clemson, SC | Reading Program | $19,000 |
| Able South Carolina Columbia, SC | Oral History Project | $15,000 |
| Better World Studios Inc Graniteville, SC | Lectures/Classes | $15,000 |
| Brookgreen Gardens Murrells Inlet, SC | Art History Program | $13,000 |
| Berkeley County Museum Moncks Corner, SC | Digital Exhibit | $10,000 |
| Lancaster County Council of the Art Lancaster, SC | Festival, Lectures | $10,000 |
| Mather Museum & Interpretive Center Beaufort, SC | Walking Tour Project | $9,000 |
| One Columbia for Arts and History Columbia, SC | Poetry Festival | $7,000 |
Ready to take the next step with South Carolina Humanities Council Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2025 filing reported 12 grants; the 2024 filing reported 20, and the 2023 filing reported 16.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,842,752 | $1,435,498 | $1,083,008 | $155,884 | 12 | $69,230 |
| 2024 | $1,541,819 | $1,316,088 | $1,243,197 | $236,118 | 20 | $34,649 |
| 2023 | $1,259,514 | $1,157,661 | $1,091,012 | $203,458 | 16 | $29,396 |
| 2022 | $1,135,009 | $1,053,218 | $1,010,833 | $199,420 | 21 | $5,206 |
| 2021 | $1,433,306 | $1,530,054 | $1,631,540 | $730,407 | 59 | $7,545 |
| 2020 | $1,238,886 | $644,003 | $1,299,114 | $469,772 | 47 | $10,397 |
| 2019 | $1,810,273 | $1,030,171 | $810,315 | $125,581 | 14 | $11,421 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of South Carolinians and increase public understanding and support for the humanities. Its 2023 filing describes support for high-quality public programs, special humanities initiatives, and humanities perspectives on contemporary issues.
In its FY2024 program description, the organization reported funding, promoting, and coordinating exhibits, documentaries, discussion forums, research, planning, workshops, dramatizations, lectures, and other humanities events. Its grant recipients in 2025 included universities, museums, arts and history organizations, and a disability-led nonprofit. For example, Able South Carolina described its mission as equipping people with disabilities to foster pride and direct their own lives, while the Berkeley County Museum and Heritage described a mission centered on preservation, education, and historical research in Berkeley County.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 12 grants totaling $155,884. Grants ranged from $6,000 to $24,800, with a median of $11,500. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in South Carolina. The largest awards included $24,800 to the University of South Carolina for an oral history exhibit, $20,884 to Coastal Carolina University for “SCHD & lectures,” and $19,000 to Clemson University for a reading program. Other awards included $15,000 to Able South Carolina for an oral history project and $13,000 to Brookgreen Gardens for an art history program.
The organization’s website says it is not accepting grant applications at this time. As of April 2025, it had suspended Major, Mini, Planning, Fast Track Literary, and Access Grants until further notice. When grant programs were available, its FAQs said eligible applicants included nonprofit, governmental, and educational organizations; applicants from outside South Carolina could apply if their project served a South Carolina audience. The stated process required the organization’s application format, and most grant projects were expected to be completed within 12–18 months. Its 2023 filing says subgrantees must submit a financial report, a project director’s report, and copies of promotional materials recognizing the organization’s support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jennifer Gunter as “EXECUTIVE DI,” Randy L. Akers as “EX DIR THRU,” Jennifer Thomas as chair, Brenton Brown as vice chair, and Alli Crandell as secretary. It also lists Brendon M. Barber, Gina G. Bennett, J.W. Nelson Chandler, Bill Comer, and Eric Crawford as board members.
South Carolina Humanities Council Inc is led by Randy L. Akers, Executive Director since 2025 (on filings since 2019); 1 of 26 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Randy L. Akers
Executive Director
Executive Di → Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$111K (2019) → $121K (2025)
Jennifer Thomas
Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David G. Hodges
Board Member
Board Member → Chair, 2022
Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sc McMeekin Jr.
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashlye V. Wilkerson
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bonnie Hargrove
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Isaiah R. McGee
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dollie Newhouse
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Crawford
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George D. Jebaily
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Crosby
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alli Crandell
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brenton Brown
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Gunter
Executive Di
Board Member → Executive Di, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lucas McMillan
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Comer
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles McDonald
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Stone Jr.
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jay Dowd
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jw Nelson Chandler
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Otis W. Pickett Sr.
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Senator Floyd Nicholson
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brendon M. Barber
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Gottshall
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gina G. Bennett
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Walker
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: Leslie Walker Bickford (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Benjamin T. Zeigler (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Duff Bruce (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: James E. Smith Jr. (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Ellen Fuller (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Tom Mack (2019–2022) — Past Chair
- Former: Lisa Kerr (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Richard Brown (2021–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Beryl Dakers (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jo Angela Edwins (2019–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Walt Griffin (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: William Balk (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Alice Taylor-Colbert (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Daniel Ennis (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: John Busch (2019–2020) — Secretary
- Former: Kim Shealy Jeffcoat (2019–2020) — Past Chair
- Former: Mary Elisabeth Grigg (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Richard Westbrook (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Walter Fiederowicz (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Billy Keyserling (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Marie Boyd (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $121K, to Randy L Akers (Ex DIR Thru).
Frequently asked questions about South Carolina Humanities Council Inc
How much does South Carolina Humanities Council Inc give each year?
South Carolina Humanities Council Inc gave $156K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $236K across 20 grants.
What is South Carolina Humanities Council Inc's typical grant size?
South Carolina Humanities Council Inc's median grant in 2025 was $11,500, and its average grant was $12,990, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from South Carolina Humanities Council Inc that year got $9K on average.
Where does South Carolina Humanities Council Inc give grants?
South Carolina Humanities Council Inc gives mostly in South Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Columbia, SC (3 grants).
Does South Carolina Humanities Council Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on South Carolina Humanities Council Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are South Carolina Humanities Council Inc's largest grantees?
South Carolina Humanities Council Inc's largest 2025 grantees include University of South Carolina ($24,800), Coastal Carolina University ($20,884) and Clemson University ($19,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is South Carolina Humanities Council Inc?
South Carolina Humanities Council Inc reported $1.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.4M.
What does South Carolina Humanities Council Inc fund?
The organization’s mission is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of South Carolinians and increase public understanding and support for the humanities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from South Carolina Humanities Council Inc?
South Carolina Humanities Council Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check schumanities.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is South Carolina Humanities Council Inc's EIN?
South Carolina Humanities Council Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-0804684. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 17, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 13, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 4, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 13, 2024)
Live grants for the work South Carolina Humanities Council Inc funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in South Carolina Humanities Council Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). South Carolina Humanities Council Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/south-carolina-humanities-council-inc-morg_8c866b61099a4f2dbbdd03c4bb7287df
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_570804684_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{South Carolina Humanities Council Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/south-carolina-humanities-council-inc-morg_8c866b61099a4f2dbbdd03c4bb7287df},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 South Carolina Humanities Council Inc'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.
South Carolina Humanities Council Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?