The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc
The South Carolina Bar Foundation is a public charity based in Columbia, South Carolina. Founded in 1971, it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds legal access and education through grants to nonprofit organizations offering legal programs in South Carolina.
Key facts about The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc
In short: The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc gave $3.8M across 40 grants in 2025 (avg $94K), mostly in South Carolina. 23% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 23-7181552
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,775,908
- Grants made (2025)
- 40
- Average grant
- $94,398
- Median grant
- $51,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (9 of 40, 2025)
- Total assets
- $34,087,132
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- New applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent to the Foundation’s Executive Director. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$34.1M
+23.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.8M
+44.1% YoY
Grant Count
40
+21.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$94K
+18.9% YoY
Is The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 40 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $37K; repeat grants $111K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $56K repeat.
- 73% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+15%). Method
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to promote justice by funding legal access and education. Its funding supports three primary areas: civil legal aid, law-related education, and administration of justice. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt nonprofits and offer legal services to indigent individuals, law-related education for the public, or programs that improve the administration of justice in South Carolina.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate the range of supported work. Lowcountry Legal Volunteers says it provides complimentary legal services to low-income families in three South Carolina counties. Project R.E.S.T. describes its work as services, education, training, and activism addressing domestic and sexual violence. Equal Justice Works says it creates opportunities for lawyers to pursue public service and equal justice. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the Foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 40 grants totaling $3,775,908. Awards ranged from $10,000 to $1,496,890, with a median of $51,500. The largest grants included $1,496,890 to SC Legal Services, $201,108 to SC Bar Law Related Education, $164,961 to the SC Access to Justice Commission, $131,000 to Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, and $125,018 to One80 Place. Each was listed for general support.
The Foundation also announced more than $5.2 million in grants to more than 50 nonprofit organizations for Fiscal Year 2026. It said almost $1.5 million of that allocation came from a newly created Impact Fund. The Foundation described the fund as supporting organizations responding to federal funding losses and innovative programs and projects.
For the SC Bar Foundation Grant Program, stated general factors include advancing the Foundation’s mission, a demonstrated plan to carry out the proposed program, and providing a financial statement. Priority may be given to requests for direct representation of clients or client groups. The program also emphasizes collaboration and leveraging additional funding sources. Applicants must submit interim and final reports; financial records are reviewed, and board permission is required to move more than $1,000 between budget line items.
How to Apply
New applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent to the Foundation’s Executive Director. The Grants Committee reviews it, and applicants whose proposals align with the Foundation’s mission and priorities may be invited to submit a grant application. The LOI should identify the organization and project, nonprofit status, proposed use and requested amount, fit with the Foundation’s mission, why other funding is unavailable, and a brief organizational history including founding date. Current grantees seeking funding for an entirely new, distinct program or project are also treated as new applicants.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc
DuRant Distinguished Public Service Award
The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ronnie M. Cole CLE Scholarship
The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc
Amount
Sliding scale: 100% (≤$35,000), 75% ($35,001-$45,000), 50% ($45,001-$60,000), 25% (>$60,000)
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
SC Bar Foundation Grant Program
The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s grant eligibility is tied to services offered in South Carolina. In filing year 2025, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in South Carolina, 3% to recipients in Washington, DC, and 1% to recipients in North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.6M (2023) to $3.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 40 grants totaling $3.8M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was SC Legal Services ($1.5M). Together the top 10 received $2.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
177 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 98 grants of 177 (55%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SC Legal Services Columbia, SC | General Support | $1,496,890 |
| SC Bar Law Related Education Columbia, SC | General Support | $201,108 |
| SC Access to Justice Commission Columbia, SC | General Support | $164,961 |
| Lowcountry Legal Volunteers Bluffton, SC | General Support | $131,000 |
| ONE80 Place Charleston, SC | General Support | $125,018 |
| SC Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Columbia, SC | General Support | $120,750 |
| Equal Justice Works Washington, DC | General Support | $112,000 |
| Project Rest Spartanburg, SC | General Support | $108,737 |
| Center for Heirs Property Preservation Charleston, SC | General Support | $100,000 |
| Catholic Charities Office of Immigration Services Mt Pleasant, SC | General Support | $96,548 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,087,132 | $8,261,267 | $4,356,724 | $3,775,908 |
| 2024 | $27,646,306 | $9,079,829 | $3,102,529 | $2,619,860 |
| 2023 | $19,584,347 | $7,760,512 | $3,081,015 | $2,587,482 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $34,087,132 | $27,646,306 | $19,584,347 |
| Revenue | $8,261,267 | $9,079,829 | $7,760,512 |
| Expenses | $4,356,724 | $3,102,529 | $3,081,015 |
| Net Investment Income | $812,067 | $620,189 | $395,311 |
Data update history
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 November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Thomas P. Gressette Jr. as president, John Roxon as president-elect, Margaret Bluestein as secretary-treasurer, and John Deloache as immediate past president. It also lists Cherie Barton, Ryan Beasley, Maryann Blake, Nashiba Boyd, Stephen Cox, and Doward Harvin as directors.
Olivia S. Jones is the Foundation’s Executive Director.
The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc is led by John Roxon, President-El since 2025 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 18 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John Roxon
President-El
Director → Secretary-Tr, 2024
Secretary-Tr → President-El, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas P. Gressette Jr.
President
Secretary-Tr → President El, 2024
President El → President, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cherie Barton
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Beasley
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Spieth Morton
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George Morrison
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Cox
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doward Harvin
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maryann Blake
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nekki Shutt
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carmen Harper Thomas
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lakesha Jeffries
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lindsay A. Joyner
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nashiba Boyd
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Truc Tran
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Olivia Jones
Executive Di
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$22K (2024) → $108K (2025)
John Deloache
Immediate Past P
President El → President, 2024
President → Immediate Past P, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Bluestein
Secretary-Tr
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Lisa Cotten (2021–2024) — Immediate Past P
- Former: Whitney Harrison (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Aj Holloway (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Marti Bluestein (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Tiffany Butler Holt (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Chris Koon (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: George B. Cauthen (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Megan Seiner (2021–2023) — Executive Di
- Former: S. Venus Poe (2022–2023) — Immediate Past P
- Former: Shaheena Bennett (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Deon Tedder (2021–2022) — Ambassador
- Former: Jeanne Howard (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Blumenthal (2021–2022) — Immediate Past P
- Former: Rusty Infinger (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Christopher R. Koon (2021) — Immediate Past P
- Former: Elizabeth Fulton Morrison (2021) — Ambassador
- Former: J. Hagood Tighe (2021) — Director
- Former: Tiffany Butler (2021) — Director
- Former: Toya Hampton (2021) — Director
- Former: Venus Poe (2021) — President-El
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 $108K, to Olivia Jones (Executive Di).
Contact
Mailing address: 950 Taylor Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 765-0517
Website: https://scbarfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc
How much does The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc give each year?
The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc gave $3.8M across 40 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.6M across 33 grants.
What is The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $51,500, and its average grant was $94,398, across 40 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc that year got $37K on average.
Where does The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc give grants?
The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc gives mostly in South Carolina: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Columbia, SC (18 grants), Charleston, SC (6 grants) and Greenville, SC (6 grants).
Does The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 98% of The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (39 of 40) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include SC Legal Services ($1,496,890), SC Bar Law Related Education ($201,108) and SC Access to Justice Commission ($164,961), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc?
The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc reported $34.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.3M.
What does The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to promote justice by funding legal access and education. Its funding supports three primary areas: civil legal aid, law-related education, and administration of justice. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc?
New applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent to the Foundation’s Executive Director. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc's EIN?
The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7181552. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina
Cleveland, OH
The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina funds South Carolina nonprofits and coalitions working on poverty-related systems change, especially economic mobility and housing security, as well as community engagement activities. Its typical 2024 grant was $25,000; 2026 systems-change grants offer up to $75,000 annually for local or regional work and $100,000 for statewide work, while community grants are up to $1,500. It is accepting Letters of Intent for systems-change grants.
Assets
$85.9M
Grants
104
Total Given
$2.2M
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
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
Truist Foundation Inc
Orlando, FL
The foundation funds workforce development and career pathways, small-business support, and community development, especially for low-to-moderate-income communities and disadvantaged workers. Its 2024 median grant was $25,000, though awards varied widely, and its service area spans 17 East Coast states through Texas. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online application and has a rolling deadline.
Assets
$547.9M
Grants
447
Total Given
$67.0M
The Joanna Foundation
Sullivans Island, SC
The Joanna Foundation supports South Carolina nonprofits working to improve community well-being through areas such as health, education, and other community initiatives, with priority given to organizations significantly serving Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, Laurens, or Newberry counties. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $2,500. It accepts electronic Letters of Intent, so requests are accepted through a selective LOI process.
Assets
$3.8M
Grants
40
Total Given
$178K
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
Richmond, VA
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation funds eligible 501(c)(3) organizations working in health and human services, education, arts and culture, civic and community development, and the environment within its operating area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $1 million, with a median of $5,000; it accepts unsolicited requests during spring and fall cycles.
Assets
$2.3M
Grants
773
Total Given
$16.4M
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
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
Hilton Head Island, SC
The Community Foundation of the Lowcountry funds nonprofits working in areas such as education, health, human services, community development, arts, and the environment. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1,234,463, with a median of $15,000; its service area covers Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties in South Carolina, with some grants limited to Hilton Head, Daufuskie, and Greater Bluffton. For competitive grants, organizations are directed to submit a Grant Inquiry Form; donor-advised fund grants are donor-recommended and have no application process.
Assets
$99.7M
Grants
193
Total Given
$9.4M
Comporium Foundation Inc
Rock Hill, SC
Comporium Foundation supports education, community welfare, civic activity, health, economic development, trails, and religious organizations, primarily in South Carolina and North Carolina. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $70,000, with a median of $3,625. It does not accept unsolicited requests and contributes only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$20.6M
Grants
122
Total Given
$1.1M
More Funders in South Carolina
The South Carolina Bar Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?