- We are facing an urgent need. With the suspension of SNAP benefits set for November 1, 2025, more than 550,000 South Carolinians will struggle to afford basic groceries, baby formula, and other essentials. To meet this challenge, the One SC Fund has been reactivated for an emergency food response. This special activation will provide critical support to food banks and community partners, ensuring that families and individuals across South Carolina have access to food during this difficult time. Every gift will stay right here in our state—helping local organizations respond swiftly and effectively.
- Local foundations are mobilizing staff, trustees, and resources, preparing for rapid response but still in the assessment and planning stage.
- There is a need for emphasis on coordination with existing disaster recovery funds and continuing the ongoing conversations among local partners.
- Advocacy for government action is crucial; some foundations are activating efforts urging elected officials to address funding gaps. Nonpartisan civic education and empowering communities on understanding and engaging in government decisions is a key strategy as there will be other related social needs (rent, medicine, utilities) that will also require attention. It is important to share advocacy messages and coordinate efforts to amplify impact while avoiding political partisanship.
- Institute for Child Success has compiled this document for updates and data for multiple stakeholders addressing the impacts of pending SNAP benefits “pause.”
- WholeSpire has drafted a letter to the General Assembly Leadership urging leadership to:
- Convene the South Carolina General Assembly for an emergency session so that you may take immediate action to address the crisis that is coming by appropriating significant funds to combat the loss of approximately $100 Million to the nonprofit sector, including, if necessary, the One SC Fund.
- Officially ask the South Carolina Congressional Delegation to free up SNAP dollars so that the program can continue without additional disruption.
- The Central Carolina Community Foundation has activated the OneSC Fund. Emphasis will be on supporting existing food banks/pantries instead of new or unproven distribution networks due to limited food resources and infrastructure.
- SC 211 – a free, confidential, and 24/7 information and referral service that connects South Carolinians to essential health and human services. It provides access to community resources, including Disaster relief.
- TogetherSC – South Carolina’s Nonprofit Network
- Feeding the Carolinas – a network that unites the ten Feeding America Food Banks serving North and South Carolina.
- Philanthropy Southeast – Southeastern Funders Network
- VolunteerSC.org – Find a way to volunteer with nonprofits in our state. From community kitchens to disaster relief.
Disaster Philanthropy and Coordinated Response Update
- A working group was formed (See Coordinated Philanthropic Response to Disasters Working Group Update) with diverse members from foundations and United Ways to create a statewide coordinated philanthropic disaster response whose goals include:
- The One SC Fund has granted over $3.7 million for immediate relief and long-term recovery following recent disasters. (Hurricane Helene donor list, and the One SC Hurricane Helene Grantees to-date.
- SC Safe Home This program provides state grants to owner-occupied homeowners in 13 coastal counties to fortify their roofs, windows, doors and shutters.
- VOAD Long-term Recovery Tools Workshop
One SC Fund: Covid-19 Response:
Follow the latest on support of the fund here. Many thanks to the team at CCCF for their continued leadership!
The One SC Covid-19 Response Executive Committee held their third meeting earlier today. So much work is happening behind the scenes to assess need and identify partners throughout the state. The deadline for the first round of responsive grants is April 15th (learn more here). We will keep you informed as grants are made and relationships with new partners are established.
Parallel to the responsive grantmaking, the Executive Committee is proactively engaging statewide, regional, and local organizations targeting specific underserved populations. Much of this has focused on food insecurity. We’re currently in communication with Feeding the Carolinas and their 4 partner foodbanks, Food Share, SC Food Policy Council, and SC Eat Smart Move More.
In addition to the monies contributed to One SC, 17 regional or local pooled funds have emerged throughout the state in response to Covid-19. As of today at noon, nearly $4 million has been contributed to these funds! Google Doc with up to date information on those activities…you can access that here.
SBA Loan Opportunities for Non-profits
Many SCGMN members and their partners are pursuing opportunities for financial relief through the Small Business Association. Together SC’s Ben Bullock put together an outstanding step-by-step guide for applying that can be found here. The Institute for Child Success put together a YouTube video explaining their take on how to apply…watch it here.
Independent Sector
The Independent Sector is calling on philanthropic partners to write their federal representatives and ask them to address some specific items in the next phased of the Cares Act. Learn more here.
United Way Association’s March 2-1-1 Report
Our partners at UWASC have shared a report outlining the growth in call volume for assistance during the pandemic. The data shows a surge in requests for basic needs assistance since the onset of Covid-19. Check out the report here.
SC Counts: 2020 Census Initiative
Remember the good old days when all we talked about was the Census?!? Please know that those efforts continue under the capable direction of Mary Dell and Naomi! The US Census Bureau has revised their calendar in light of Covid-19 (learn more here) and so SC Counts’ grant support of local efforts is pivoting to accommodate.
The map at link below illustrates completion rates in SC by county as of midnight 4/9/20. The US has a national completion rate of 46.7%. SC is a few points behind at 42.3%. This data is updated every night and can be aggregated down to census tract. If you want to drill deeper into your own geography, access the information here.