The South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) is a public, non-profit corporation chartered by the State of South Carolina in 1983. Headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, SCRA operates as an applied research corporation dedicated to fueling the state's innovation economy. The organization serves as a connector between academia, entrepreneurs, and industry to accelerate technology-enabled growth and economic development.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$101.5M
-3.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.5M
+27.0% YoY
Grant Count
47
-6.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$74K
+35.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Fuel South Carolina's innovation economy by accelerating technology-enabled growth in research, academia, entrepreneurship, and industry.
SCRA was chartered by the state legislature to:
- Support entrepreneurs and technology startups on strong growth trajectories through grant funding, coaching, and investing via SC Launch Inc., its investment affiliate
- Accelerate academic research and its commercialization through grant funding and resource coordination to ensure developments meet South Carolina's industry needs
- Connect industry to entrepreneurs and innovators through matchmaking opportunities and fund relocation costs for technology-based companies moving to South Carolina
- Provide laboratory and administrative space for technology startups and academic institutions
Sectors of Focus:
SCRA concentrates its efforts in four key areas identified as drivers of South Carolina's innovation economy:
- Advanced Manufacturing and Materials
- Information Technology
- Life Sciences
- Clean Tech, Sustainability, and Resilience
Grantmaking
SCRA makes grants to support entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and technology-based ventures. Recent grant activity includes:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
SCRA operates throughout South Carolina, with a primary focus on supporting the state's innovation economy. The organization funds relocation costs for technology-based companies moving to South Carolina and maintains facilities across the state to support startups and academic institutions.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2023 (as of June 30, 2023):
- Total Revenue: $16,234,461
- Total Expenses: $15,986,496
- Total Assets: $101,459,439
- Total Liabilities: $34,400,000
Program Service Expenses: $13,172,852 (83% of total expenses)
Economic Impact (FY 2025):
- Total economic impact on South Carolina innovation economy: $717 million
- Jobs supported: 3,772 South Carolina-based jobs
- Average salary of SCRA companies: $91,959 (51% higher than state average)
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $101,459,439 | $104,791,332 | $84,250,804 |
| Revenue | $16,234,461 | $17,524,075 | $18,851,513 |
| Expenses | $15,986,496 | $15,394,736 | $15,687,749 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $952,026 | $1,379,801 | $699,943 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
Grant Size Distribution
180 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from South Carolina Research Authority
Industry Partnership Fund (IPF) Tax Credit Program
SOUTH CAROLINA RESEARCH AUTHORITY
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
SACT Grant (SCRA-Academic Collaboration Team Grant)
SOUTH CAROLINA RESEARCH AUTHORITY
Amount
Up to $860,000 (Track 1: Lab to Market); Up to $640,000 (Track 2: Capacity Building)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
SC Launch Inc. Investment Program
SOUTH CAROLINA RESEARCH AUTHORITY
Amount
Typically up to $200,000 or more per round; seed-stage through Series B
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Laura Terry serves as Principal Officer of the organization.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
From 2023 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT QUINN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $326,141 |
| COLE DUDLEY | DIRECTOR SC INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS | 40 | $214,080 |
| JOHN SIRCY | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMIN | 35 | $191,757 |
| MATTHEW BELL | DIRECTOR SC LAUNCH | 20 | $196,411 |
| WILLIAM L MACILWINEN | SENIOR INVESTMENT MANAGER | 40 | $186,856 |
| RUSSELL COOK | DIR. SC ACADEMIC INNOVATIONS | 40 | $181,951 |
| JIM DOOLITTLE | DIRECTOR, SC EPSCOR | 40 | $182,451 |
| STEVE JOHNSON | SENIOR INVESTMENT MANAGER | 40 | $179,885 |
| DEREK WILLIS | SENIOR INVESTMENT MANAGER | 40 | $168,092 |
| RANDALL S CUTTS | DIRECTOR SC FACILITIES | 40 | $159,443 |
| DON HERRIOTT | CHAIRMAN | 1.5 | — |
| DR MICHAEL AMIRIDIS | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| DR L FRED CARTER | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| DR JAMES P CLEMENTS | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| DR DAVID COLE | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| ALEXANDER CONYERS | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| DR LINDA DISTLERATH | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| REP JASON ELLIOTT | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| SENATOR LARRY GROOMS | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| JO WATSON HACKL | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| LOU KENNEDY | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| LAURA TERRY | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMIN | 35 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
SCRA continues to announce grant funding rounds to member companies and academic institutions. The organization regularly awards grants supporting various sectors within its focus areas, including clean technology, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing initiatives.
SCRA Announces Member Companies Receiving New Grant FundingThe organization maintains an active portfolio of success stories, including companies such as Bubble Paper (an eco-friendly cushioning wrap developer) and Heartbeat Technologies (developer of The SAVER cardiac arrest device). These portfolio companies demonstrate SCRA's impact in supporting innovation from early-stage development through commercialization.
SCRA Announces Member Companies Receiving New Grant FundingSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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