Grant Overview
The SC American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250) offers Competitive Grants in the following funding opportunity levels Monthly Grants (up to $15,000), Major Grants ($15,001 to $125,000), and Premier Project Grants ($125,001+).
Monthly Grants are reviewed monthly with a deadline on the first business day of each month at 3:00 P.M. Major Grants are reviewed quarterly. Premier Grants’ deadlines are also quarterly and will go through two rounds of review including a presentation to the full Commission or Executive Committee.
One type of grant available is a Research, Publication, Genealogy, & Digitization Grant. SC American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission sees this anniversary as an excellent opportunity to advance research in SC’s role in the American Revolution. SC250 is looking to support well-researched and written pamphlets and monographs, commercial and scholarly articles, and books associated with South Carolina’s 250th Anniversaries. In addition to scholarly treatises there is a need for well-written and accurate consumer editions on many topics. SC250 also hopes to support the collection, transcription, and annotation of American Revolution in SC era papers. Anticipated end result can be a digital asset as long as research standards are met. Books and digital assets to aid researching American Revolution era (1770-1783) genealogy and digitization projects can also be considered under this grant type.
“We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again!”
Gen. Nathanael Greene
Application/Project Planning Tips
Grant Details
- Project should feature significant Revolutionary Era people, places, events, or ideas particularly in their connection to SC.
- These projects require the highest standards of scholarship, balance, and documentation.
- These works must be fully referenced and clearly delineate accepted facts from author’s interpretation and opinion. Even if not eventually published with complete scholarly referencing, the Commission’s files will retain the fully referenced papers.
- References shall be made in accord with Chicago Manual of Style conventions.
- All opinion pieces must be referred to as an opinion piece, clearly name the author, and include a statement that it does not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission.
- We want to avoid boasting – “senior superlatives” – best, biggest, fastest, most, etc.
- All of the Commission’s endorsed research and publications must be peer reviewed by subject matter experts prior to publication (digital or print).
- None of these projects are works of any pre-determined length.
- Where appropriate and possible, we must tell South Carolina’s stories from multiple points of view. Applicants are encouraged to also tell their Revolutionary Era stories from non-traditional points of view, such as Loyalist – Women – Children – enslaved and free African Americans – Native Americans.
- Projects can be part of a larger project. If so, please make sure to clearly describe the phase of project in context to the whole in the grant narrative.
- Project Sponsor must agree to SC250 royalty free access to the research upon completion.
- The Project Sponsor will supply its proposed Budget and Timeline to completion.
- The research must cite the SC American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission.
- Project Sponsor shall provide all project management.
- Genealogy projects should feature the 1770-1783 time period. The applications should list the books, subscriptions, experts, etc. that would be purchased/hired as part of the project.
- Digitization projects must feature items within the 1770-1783 American Revolution Era. A list of items to be digitized should be provided with application.
Potential American Revolution in SC Projects could include, but are not limited to:
- Revolutionary Era Papers
- Biographies of South Carolina’s Revolutionary Era
- Unit Histories and Military Organization in South Carolina
- South Carolina’s Loyalists
- South Carolina’s Dis-enfranchised: Women, Children, Enslaved and Free African-Americans, and Native Americans
- South Carolina’s Governance and Economy
- Naval Affairs
- Logistics and Supplies
- Society and Culture
- Campaigns and Battles
- Source Materials
- Prisoners of War
- Other American Revolution in SC Projects
Individuals, 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 or located in the continental US and researching a topic intrinsically related to the American Revolution 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 Grants (or Major or Premier)
- General Information Form
- Cover Sheet Form
- Make sure to select Research Grant 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 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 is not expired)
- List of Board members
- Mission of Non-profit
- Letter of Support from your local SC County 250 Committee
- SC250 would like to ensure that your County 250 group is in the loop when you are applying. We get more done together! Click Here for a list of contacts for the local county committees. Don’t see your county contact? Reach out to hhawkins@southcarolina250.com.
- If you are a County 250 Committee, just attach your official, signed county resolution.
- If you are not located in SC but are working on American Revolution in SC material, upload a document that states such.
- Additional Potential Support Named Documents:
- Scholar Resume
- Scholar Sample Work
- Any other documents that support your request. For example: Quote from publishing house or printer / REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) if not selected.
- Contact Spreadsheet Click Here for a Sample Spreadsheet
- 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 below in the Amount section.
- 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.
- 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.
- Budget Best Practices:
- Applicants are encouraged to submit early and/or contact SC250 to discuss.
Based on grant level. However, most Research 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. Monthly Grants do not require a match. However, 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.
*Grant funding is dependent on allocations from the State Legislature each year. SC250 may choose to fund, not fund, or partially fund applications. The Commission retains the right to make exceptions or alter the up to amount that may be approved for each grant. All information is intended to be a summary and subject to change. Contact info@SouthCarolina250.com or 803-898-3392 for more information.
We Are Here To Help
SC250 Commission would like to allocate to as many communities around the state as possible so please call or email us to discuss your project before you apply to make sure you have everything you need for your application. You can also sign up for a one-on-one virtual consultation.
SC250 Webinars
The South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250) each year hold a series of webinars to help counties get organized, groups apply for grants and opportunities to learn more about the amazing role South Carolina played in the founding of our nation.
Meet the Funders
Friday, October 11, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. Eastern
Grant Recipient Guidance
Through the award, the Commission hopes to form a partnership wherein we provide support to your project and in turn we learn more about and contribute to further telling the story of the Revolutionary Era (1770-1783) in South Carolina. We share your goal to tell a more inclusive story and capture history for the future.