Historic Tourism & Marketing Grants

Official County 250 Committees, Local Governments, Tribes, Museums, Historical Societies, Visitor Centers, Chambers of Commerce, Universities/Colleges, Non-Profit Organizations, SC Council of Governments, Regional Tourism Commissions, Other SC Organizations and Businesses in Public/Private Partnerships. Please note that County and Municipal Governments may designate third-party recipients (i.e. non-profit organizations) to receive grants provided that the local government applies on their behalf and the Chief Elected Official of the local government signs the application. All applicants must be located in SC.

Apply through the Discover SC Web Grant program making sure to include the following checklist:

• Register with the Discover SC Web Grant program – Please note this program manages all SCPRT and SC250 Grants. Pro Tip: When completing registration make sure to select SC250 – SC American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission under Program Area of Interest.
• Under Funding Opportunities make sure to select the correct grant – Agency: SC American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission Title: SC American Revolution Monthly Grant (or Major or Premier).
• General Information Form
• Cover Sheet Form
  • Make sure to select Historic Tourism & Marketing Grants under Grant Type.
• Grant Narrative including Estimated Timeline & Anticipated Outcomes / Deliverables
• Assurances & Certifications
• Support Materials (*Required)
  • Contact Spreadsheet Click Here for a Sample Spreadsheet
    • Project Sponsor staff/members who would like to be added to SC250 enewsletter, etc.
    • VIPs to keep in the loop (Local Media, Elected Officials, Volunteers, Donors, etc.)
  • Fiscal Agent Documentation*
    • Fiscal Agent’s W-9 (make sure it is signed)
    • Fiscal Agent’s adopted budget for the current fiscal year
    • Fiscal Agent’s operating financial statement for last fiscal year
      • If the Fiscal Agent has just been established, some documentation to that fact
  • If the applicant or fiscal agent is a Non-Profit, we also need the following documentation:*
    • IRS 501c3 letter or 501c6 letter (not EIN letter but non-profit designation letter)
    • Secretary of State Annual Charity Registration letter (make sure it has not expired)
    • List of Board members
    • Mission of Non-profit
  • Documentation of County Resolution from your SC County supporting your County 250 Committee*
  • If using SC Battleground Preservation Trust for study, include agreement with cost (can be contingent on SC250 grant match).
  • If using other consultants for study, please submit resume and/or sample works plus agreement with cost (can be contingent on SC250 grant match).
  • Any other documents that support your request. Applicants are encouraged to submit early and/or contact SC250 to discuss.
• Grant Application Budget
  • Budget Best Practices:
    • Not all budget categories may be compatible with your grant type. Feel free to skip a section. For example: we do not expect to see land acquisition in the County 250 Organizing Grants.
    • If the grant request amount is part of a larger budget, please only include SC250 funding requests in each breakdown section.
    • Make sure to not exceed the total amount available for this grant type in the breakdown SC250 request sections. This up to amount is listed in the Amount section below.
    • The total budget could be larger if you have additional funding from other sources. If there are any additional funds in your total budget, document them in the Cost Share / Matching Funds section.)
    • Does your grant require a match? Checking out the Match or Cost Share Required section below. Even if not required, SC250 encourages partnership and cost share.
    • If your grant does require a match, remember that the percentage is part of the total budget not 50% of your ask.
    • In-kind match can be documented to show support, however, it cannot be used in the formal match amount.
    • Personnel refers to staffing, while contractual refer to any person you are hiring for a specific task.
    • Administrative staffing should represent no more than 20% of the budget request.
    • Feel free to contact SC250 with questions at hhawkins@southcarolina250.com.
• Applicants are encouraged to submit early and/or contact SC250 to discuss.

Based on grant level. However, most County Asset Assessment & Tourism Grants are up to $10,000* / Project Sponsor

Monthly Grant FY25 Anticipated Deadlines: The first business day of each month at 3:00 P.M. Eastern
8/1/24, 9/2/24, 10/1/24, 11/4/24, 12/2/24, 1/3/25, 2/3/25, 3/3/25, 4/1/25, 5/1/25, 6/2/25
Major & Premier Grant FY25 Anticipated Deadlines: Quarterly at 3:00 P.M. Eastern
9/26/24, 12/13/24, 3/26/25, 6/26/25
All deadlines are not postmarked dates as all applications must be submitted in the Discover SC Web Grants program. Dates subject to change

Monthly Grant FY25 Anticipated Award Dates: The first business day of the following month
Major & Premier Grant FY25 Anticipated Award Dates: 11/18/24, 3/17/25, 5/19/25, 9/16/25
Application responses can be award/fund, award/partially fund, not award, and requiring more due diligence for a final decision. More due diligence would, of course, delay a final award date if eventually approved. This is especially true with expensive site grants. Pro Tip: plan ahead and leave plenty of time between your application and the project start date.

Based on grant level. However, most counties demonstrate a 50% match.

That being said, technically Monthly Grants do not require a match. Match and partnerships are highly encouraged. Major Grants require a 20% match. Premier Grants require a 25% match. This is a % of the total budget (not a % of the ask).
Tip for figuring 20% match: Divide the grant request amount by .80 then multiple that number by .20.
Match can exceed match requirement amount.

Make sure to include details about those matching funds in your grant application budget. It is great to document on grant budgets in-kind match such as volunteer hours, food donated by the local merchants association, etc. This shows great local buy in! However, please keep in mind that in-kind donations cannot be used for required matching percentage. 

Remember that final reports will require documentation that any required matching funds have been expended (invoices and proof of payment).

Competitive Grants will be distributed with 80% upfront and 20% reimbursed upon approval of completed final report including documentation of deliverables, measurement of success, and receipts/proof of payment showing the full grant amount plus any required match has been spent on the project.