Community Support Awards

Q: How much funding does Community Support Awards provide?

Community Support Awards provides Up to $2,500 for first-time applicants; varying amounts for returning applicants in funding.

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Funding Amount

Up to $2,500 for first-time applicants; varying amounts for returning applicants

Deadline

July 31, 2026

114 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Community Support Awards

Status: Active annual grant program

Geographic Scope: Summerville and Tri-County area, South Carolina

Mission Alignment: Second Chance Thrift Shop reinvests proceeds from retail operations into local nonprofits that support those in need in the Summerville community. Over 30+ years, nearly $1 million has been awarded.

Recent Funding Distribution:

2025: $250,000 awarded to 20+ organizations

2024: $230,000

2023: $200,000

2022: $161,500

2021: $100,500

2020: $65,000

2019: $105,000

2018: $49,000

Eligibility Requirements

Must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit for at least one year
Mission alignment: Organization's mission must align with Second Chance's mission to support those most in need
Geographic service: Serve individuals in Summerville or Tri-County area
Demonstrate: Financial need and community impact
Deadline compliance: Submit completed application by July 31 each year

Funding Guidelines

Inaugural applicants (first-time applicants) may receive a maximum of $2,500
Returning applicants may receive larger awards based on demonstrated impact
Eligible uses: Operating expenses and programs/projects
Ineligible uses: Salaries, ticket subsidies, or fundraising events
Distribution: Awards are distributed annually in the fall

Focus Areas

Organizations serving populations including:

Homeless individuals

Victims of abuse

Impoverished/low-income individuals

Education services

Food assistance/hungry populations

Other community support services

Contact Information

Phone: (843) 376-7974
Email: Available via website contact form
Address: 975 Bacons Bridge Road, Suite 216, Summerville, SC (Galleria II Shopping Center)

How to Apply

Application Process

Timeline: Applications accepted June 1 – July 31 each year

Submission: Online automated form only—applications submitted through other methods will not be considered

Required Information

1. Organization Details
- Organization name
- Contact person (first & last name)
- Contact person title
- Contact email address
- Contact phone number
- EIN number
- Fiscal year end date
- Organization address

2. Organizational Structure
- Number of board members
- Number of full-time employees
- Number of part-time employees
- Number of volunteers

3. Service Area & Population
- Select all population groups served in Summerville area:
- Homeless
- Victims of abuse
- Impoverished
- Education
- Service to hungry
- Other (with description)

4. Narrative Responses (required)
- Organization's mission statement
- List of services and number of clients served by each
- Description of how funding will be used (projects/expenses and impact)
- If previously funded in 2024, describe how funds were used and impact
- Additional information for consideration

5. Financial Information
- Previous funding sources for 2024:
- Individuals (USD amount)
- Corporations (USD amount)
- Government (USD amount)
- Second Chance (USD amount—do not include in other totals)
- Other sources (explanation and amount)

Required Document Uploads

All documents must be PDF, DOC, DOCX, XLS, or XLSX format (up to 10MB each):

1. IRS Determination Letter (501(c)(3) documentation)
2. Current board member list
3. Revenue & expense statement for 2024 (detailed)
4. Balance sheet for 2024
5. Budget for 2025 (current fiscal year)
6. Revenue & expense statement for 2025 (detailed)
7. Current balance sheet as of May 31, 2025