United Way of Horry County

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Grant Funding

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Grant Funding

United Way of Horry County (UWHC) invests in local nonprofits through two distinct grant programs designed to strengthen our community. Whether your organization is looking to grow internal capacity or expand program impact, we offer funding opportunities that support sustainable change right here in Horry County.

All funds must stay within Horry County, ensuring that your work directly benefits the neighbors and communities we serve.

Capacity Building Grant Program

The United Way of Horry County (UWHC) Capacity Building Grants Program invests in initiatives that help nonprofit organizations strengthen their internal management and governance or deepen strategic collaborations. Our community thrives when our nonprofit sector thrives. Our goal is to support the building of resilient nonprofits that can not only navigate through challenging times of disruption but also leverage opportunities that move their missions forward for the betterment of our community. We focus our grantmaking on organizations serving Horry County. All funds MUST stay in Horry County.

Below are examples of capacity-building activities and potential projects:

  • Planning Activities: organizational assessments, strategic plans, fund development or marketing strategy (plan creation, not advertising materials), or program evaluation design.
  • DEI: diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging assessments, policy development, training, and implementation supports.
  • Financial sustainability: revenue diversification planning, business model analysis, and reimagining fundraising (planning/design only, not event execution).
  • Board Development: leadership training, defining the role of the board in fundraising, and strengthening volunteer roles on a board level
  • Internal Operations: improvements to donor database/financial management systems, volunteer management, equipment, software, technology, or facilities enhancements to better realize the organizational mission
  • Human resources: initiatives to promote staff retention, professional growth, and healthy workplace culture
  • Professional Development: registration and travel for relevant conferences, local or online trainings aligned to the project.
  • Convening and/or collaboration support: Agencies may apply individually or jointly for funding that supports staff time, facilitation, shared resources, or meeting space used to collaborate, co-design programs, share data, or develop joint strategies to serve clients better.
    • Collaborative proposals involving two or more agencies are encouraged and may include:
      • Co-created service delivery plans, shared outcome frameworks, or formal partnership agreements (e.g., MOUs).
      • Joint training or cross-agency professional development.
      • Development of shared systems or tools
    • When multiple organizations apply together, they should identify a lead applicant responsible for managing the grant and reporting, and describe each partner’s roles, responsibilities, and contributions.
    • Collaborative proposals may be considered for additional funding (up to $2,500) through the Collaboration Add-On option, subject to available funds.
  • Proposals that include a combination of strategies will be considered, so long as the proposal clearly demonstrates how multiple strategies align toward common goals.

Allowable Costs (Clarifications)

  • Staff Time: Eligible when it directly supports the capacity-building effort.
  • Consultants/Facilitators: Projects involving consultants, trainers, or facilitators must include at least two (2) quotes or proposals detailing the scope of work, deliverables, and fees. Applicants must provide a brief explanation describing why the selected consultant was chosen (e.g., specific expertise, local knowledge, alignment with organizational values). If multiple quotes cannot reasonably be obtained (e.g., highly specialized expertise), the applicant must explain why.
  • Travel/Registration: Eligible only when directly related to the project’s capacity-building objectives.
  • Equipment/Software: Allowable if directly linked to improving organizational capacity (e.g., new CRM, financial system, or volunteer database).
  • For any project involving a significant purchase (≥ $1,000 total), attach at least one vendor quote (three preferred if available) showing scope, specifications, and pricing.

Projects not eligible or competitive for the Capacity Building grant program:

  • Ongoing annual operating or program delivery costs
  • Marketing materials or advertising buys (e.g., print runs, paid media). Strategy or plan development is eligible
  • Capital infrastructure (bricks & mortar, major construction)
  • Debt reduction or loan repayment
  • Projects completed prior to the grant award
  • Capital campaigns
  • Monuments or memorials

Eligibility & Requirements

This grant application opportunity is open to these organizations that align with at least one of the four pillars outlined in the UWHC Community Game Plan (Health, Education, Self-Sufficiency, and Basic Needs).

  • 501 ( c )(3) public charities
  • Organizations serving a charitable purpose that have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501 ( c )(3) public charity
  • Faith-based organizations. We will only consider proposals if (1) services benefit all, regardless of religion; (2) services provided are not religious in nature; and (3) there is no proselytizing associated with the service
  • Civic organizations. Proposals must be project-based and of a charitable nature; the organization much have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501 ( c)(3) nonprofit organization.
  • Public and private schools. We will only fund projects that exceed the school’s budget;
  • Other government agencies with project-based proposals.
  • The organization has a history of providing services in Horry County for a minimum of three years.
  • If applicable, the organization has a Board of Directors of at least five (5) independent, non-compensated members that are active, representative voluntary governing bodies with regular meetings and are responsible for developing its mission, determining its strategic direction, and providing oversight.

Applicants are eligible to apply for funding once every twelve (12) months. For returning grantees, we recommend applying under a different category than previously funded to diversify project types.

Equity & Funding Priorities

UWHC gives priority to proposals that demonstrate one or more of the following:

  • Organizational budget ≤ $750,000
  • First-time applicant or not funded in the last 24 months
  • Serving underrepresented or underserved populations/geographies in Horry County
  • Collaborations (two or more organizations with defined roles and shared outcomes)
  • Clear plan to sustain and institutionalize capacity gains

Grant Amounts

  • Projects serving individual organizations may apply for up to $5,000.
  • Collaboration Add-On: up to $2,500 (when two or more organizations jointly apply; subject to available funds)

Grant Requirements

  • Grant Agreement: Must be completed before funds are released.
  • Midpoint Check-In: Informal progress update around halfway mark.
  • Final Evaluation: Due within 12 months of the award and must include narrative, evidence of capacity gains, final budget, and consultant deliverables if applicable.

Interested in applying?

We recognize capacity-building needs can vary widely and welcome the opportunity to explore possibilities with you. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  Please reach out to the Director of Community Impact, Katie Wise, at katie@unitedwayhorry.org to schedule a meeting to discuss your application further.

To apply for this grant, please visit: https://unitedwayhorry.org/capacity-building-grant-application/.

Competitive Investment Grants

Important information for 2026

United Way of Horry County will not be opening a traditional grant application for 2026. Instead, we are taking this year to pause and dive deeper into our newly completed Community Needs Assessment. This work will allow us to refresh our Community Game Plan and ensure that future funding decisions are strategic, equitable, and impactful.

For 2026, only agencies currently funded through UWHC will be eligible for grants. While new applications will not be accepted this year, we are committed to engaging a wide range of community partners in the planning process. Your feedback and collaboration will help shape the updated Community Game Plan and future funding opportunities.

Thank you for all you do to strengthen our community—we look forward to sharing updates as this important work moves forward.

Competitive Grants Criteria

Our Competitive Investment Grants fund programs that directly address the root causes of community needs. Guided by our Community Game Plan, we focus on four pillars: Health, Education, Self-Sufficiency, and Basic Needs.

These grants are reviewed by community volunteers who serve on our Vision Councils, ensuring that funding decisions reflect local priorities and create lasting change.

Funding Amount:

$10,000-$40,000 (not to exceed 30% of program expenses)

Program Expectations:
  • Must align with one of UWHC’s bold community goals
  • Agencies select measurable objectives and track shared outcomes (How much did we do? How well did we do it? Is anyone better off?)
  • Encourages continuous improvement and collaboration across funded partners
Eligibility:
  • Must be a 501(c)(3) human service organization in good standing in South Carolina
  • Board of Directors of at least five independent, non-compensated members
  • Programs must operate in Horry County and comply with all nondiscrimination requirements

📌 Learn more about Competitive Investment Grants →

Why Apply?

  1. Strengthen your nonprofit’s long-term sustainability
  2. Access resources to improve community outcomes
  3. Join a network of organizations committed to measurable impact in Horry County
Previously Funded Organizations

Ready to Apply?

Applications are open on a rolling basis for Capacity Building Grants, but please be aware that United Way of Horry County will not be opening a traditional grant application for 2026.

Health

We envision a future where behavioral health needs for children, youth, and adults are recognized and validated.

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Education

We envision a community where all children enter kindergarten ready to learn; and all children and youth learn, achieve, and succeed while engaging families and communities.

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Self-Sufficiency

We envision a future where everyone in Horry County is supported to achieve self-sufficiency.

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Basic Needs

We envision a future where everyone has access to food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, basic materials, transportation, and a sense of security.

Learn More