COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund

Geographic Scope: Nine counties in coastal South Carolina: Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, and Jasper Counties

Fund Purpose: Provide flexible resources to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization working with communities disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 outbreak

Priority Populations Served:

• Senior citizens
• Children
• Health-compromised individuals
• Workers in hospitality and tourism industries

Focus Areas:

• Medical care
• Food access
• Financial support
• General nonprofit operations to support rapid response and recovery

Fund History:

• Initially seeded with $140,000 from Coastal Community Foundation, Waccamaw Community Foundation, and Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation
• Received $500,000 matching challenge grant from Tony Bakker and Linda Bakker (April 2020)
• Exceeded matching goal, raising $1.2 million in two weeks
• Total raised since inception: $1.8 million
• As of reporting date, 17 nonprofits awarded grants totaling $211,000

Eligibility:

• Must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or group fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3)
• Cannot accept applications from individuals or on behalf of individuals
• Located/serving in nine-county coastal South Carolina service area

What They Fund:

• General nonprofit operations (encouraged over restricted gifts)
• Direct relief and recovery activities
• Food purchases and utility assistance
• Housing and shelter support
• Mental health and counseling services
• Employee support and sick leave
• Transportation and operational costs

What They Don't Fund:

• Individual applicants
• Organizations not classified as 501(c)(3)

Partners: Coastal Community Foundation, Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation, Black River United Way, Chapin Foundation, Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Trident United Way, United Way of Horry County, United Way of the Lowcountry

Contact Information:

• Grant inquiries: Kristi Wallace at kristi@coastalcommunityfoundation.org (subject line: "COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund")
• General: info@coastalcommunityfoundation.org
• Program updates: Kristen Bitzegaio at kristen@mywcf.org
• Executive Director: Angel Johnson-Brebner at ajohnson@mywcf.org or 843-793-6027
• Communications: Abigail Darlington at abigail@coastalcommunityfoundation.org or 854-222-3463

Waccamaw Community Foundation Contact:

• Address: 3655 S. Hwy. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
• Phone: 843-357-GIVE (4483)
• Email: Info@mywcf.org
• Hours: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Monday–Thursday; 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Friday
• EIN: 56-2121992

Application Process

How to Apply:

1. Visit the Online Portal at Coastal Community Foundation (direct link provided in FAQ pages)
2. Complete application in the portal
3. Submit organization information and documentation

Application Timeline:

• Rolling process - applications accepted as received
• Funds deployed on rolling basis as quickly as possible
• Anticipated deployment within several weeks of application

Required Information:
If notifying foundation of impact (email option), provide:

• Organization Name & EIN
• Primary Contact Name, Email & Phone
• Secondary Contact Name, Email & Phone
• Mission Statement
• Primary population served and current numbers served
• Geography served (county and/or specific areas)
• Description of how organization is providing for those affected by COVID-19
• Current primary need

Application Requirements:

• Must be submitted by 501(c)(3) nonprofit or fiscally sponsored group
• Online portal submission required
• Individual applications not accepted

Grant Notification:

• Grantees announced on rolling basis
• Names of grantees and funding amounts published regularly as grants are deployed

Alternative Contact Method:
Organizations can email Kristen Bitzegaio at kristen@mywcf.org with subject line "COVID-19 Impact" to inform foundation of organizational impact and needs (optional outreach method)

Contact for Questions:

• Primary: Kristi Wallace at kristi@coastalcommunityfoundation.org
• General: info@coastalcommunityfoundation.org
• Use "COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund" in subject line