CCCF General Operating Support Grants

The CCCF General Operating Support Grants provide multi-year, unrestricted funding to eligible nonprofits, enabling them to enhance their operational capacity and better serve historically under-invested communities. With a grant amount of $30,000, distributed as $10,000 per year for up to three years, nonprofits can utilize the funds for various operational needs. Organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria, including a budget under $450,000 and a physical presence in the CCCF's service area.

NOTE: Application will open January 1. Prior to completing the application, please determine if your organization aligns with funding priorities and eligibility. If eligible, organizations must complete a two-step application process which includes a Round 1 online application (pre-proposal deadline listed above) and Round 2 interview (by invitation).
Central Carolina Community Foundation (CCCF) recognizes that to cultivate a community full of vitality and opportunity, nonprofits that work tirelessly to advocate for our diverse residents must be sustained. Our General Operating Support Grants (GOS) support this work by investing in these nonprofits to increase their capacity to carry out their mission. In 2021, CCCF began providing multi-year GOS grants and has continued to explore ways to promote, facilitate, and increase philanthropy to create sustainable impact within our community.
What are General Operating Support Grants?
CCCF’s GOS grants provide multi-year, unrestricted operations funding to eligible nonprofits. Nonprofits can use the funds based on their organization’s operational needs and priorities. By accepting the grants, the awarded nonprofits agree to:
expense the funds annually, complete an annual report,  attend quarterly grantee meetings,  register their nonprofit on Midlands Gives,  use funds towards operations and administrative costs, and 6) maintain regular communication with CCCF staff.
Grant Objectives
To invest in communities that have been historically under invested in by philanthropy.To provide resources to organizations that are trusted by, connected to, and rooted in community.To cultivate trusting relationships between CCCF and nonprofit organizations within the 11 counties in the Midlands.To increase nonprofit organizations’ capacity to serve their community and sustain high quality services beyond the three-year grant period.
What We Fund
In general, our GOS grants provide operational support to organizations and communities that have traditionally been underserved by philanthropy. Grantees will be selected based on the following criteria:
Alignment with CCCF’s mission, values, and prioritiesConnection to and representation by the community they serveProven outcomes in addressing a community needOpportunity to increase the nonprofit’s capacityHistory of collaborative work and philanthropy
Grant Amount
$30,000; awarded: $10,000 per year for up to three years contingent on grantee meeting eligibility requirements.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for a GOS grant, nonprofits must:Be determined as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and have nonprofit status for at least two years (determination letter dated no later than January 31, 2023).Have an annual Organization budget under $450,000.Have at least one paid employee who dedicates a minimum of 20 hours a week to the organization.Have applied for and received a grant from CCCF in the past four years (July 1, 2021-present).Have a physical location (based on EIN address) in CCCF’s 11 county service area (Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter).Be registered on Midlands Gives.If funded, agree to ongoing communication with CCCF staff, completion of annual reports, attendance at quarterly grantee meetings, using funds towards operations and administrative costs, and expensing all grant funds annually. There are no other restrictions placed on grant funds.