Systems Change Grants

What Systems Change Grants Support

• Organizations that are actively working on systems change that impacts people experiencing poverty and addresses economic mobility or housing security. (**See definitions below.)

• Organizations that are seeking to change systems at the local, regional or state level. Systems Change Grants provide up to $75,000 for local or regional work. State-level grants have a $100,000 maximum. All grants are for one year, with the possibility of renewal up to three years based on meeting reporting requirements and the availability of funding. The Foundation intends to award Systems Change Grants to up to 20 organizations a year.

• We define systems change work in the following ways:

  • Participating in advocacy and lobbying
    • Focus on changing policies, practices, processes, rules or laws
    • Impacting resource flows (i.e., reallocated and/or new funding streams)
    • Holding systems accountable to their intended purpose through the above as well as through litigation
  • Addressing unequal power
    • Focus on changing the distribution and dynamics of privilege, relationships and tradition
    • Organizing and building connections and coalitions that center community voices and perspectives
    • Civic engagement
  • Affirming the dignity of people experiencing poverty
    • Focus on changing attitudes, mindsets, values, belief systems, norms, mental models, narratives and paradigms
  • Implementing big impact, scalable, or innovative solutions
    • Focus on changing results, especially for groups experiencing inequitable outcomes as a result of historic and current marginalization

• Applications are strongly encouraged from organizations that may be described as:

  • Grassroots, or led by community members who understand the specific needs of their area.
  • Serving people/communities of color, in order to address systemic racism as a root cause of poverty. SCFSC will consider this criterion alongside the applicant’s service area demographics and other factors.
  • Located in and/or primarily serving at least one of the following 12 persistent poverty counties in South Carolina: Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Clarendon, Colleton, Dillon, Hampton, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Williamsburg (based on U.S. Census definition).