The South Carolina Bar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting justice by funding legal access initiatives in the state of South Carolina. It functions as the philanthropic arm of the South Carolina Bar and works to ensure all residents—especially those who are indigent or underserved—can obtain legal representation, law-related education, and improved access to justice. Through its annual grantmaking process, the Foundation provides financial support to nonprofit organizations aligned with its mission.
The Foundation awards grants to organizations providing civil legal services to low-income populations, offering public legal education, or enhancing the administration of justice. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) or similar tax-exempt nonprofits operating within South Carolina. Funded programs must provide services directly related to legal aid, legal education, or systemic improvements to justice administration. New applicants must submit a Letter of Intent prior to applying, which includes organization details, proposed project description, nonprofit status, funding needs, and a rationale for seeking support from the Foundation.
Once a Letter of Intent is received by the Executive Director, a preliminary meeting is scheduled with Foundation leadership to evaluate alignment with funding priorities. If the program is deemed a fit, the applicant is invited to submit a full grant application. This staged application process ensures that all funded programs directly advance the Foundation's core mission and strategic priorities.
The Foundation also administers a specialized grant fund targeted exclusively to Horry County, South Carolina. This fund was established via a 2021 Cy Pres award resulting from a legal settlement and is reserved for projects in Horry County that support civil legal aid, law-related education, or improvements in justice administration. The only additional requirement is that the funded activity be carried out within Horry County boundaries.
The application timeline follows an annual cycle. Letters of Intent must be submitted by December 15 to qualify for the subsequent grant cycle, which officially opens in late November or early December and closes by the end of January. Following the application deadline, a review process takes place between February and April, which may involve interviews or calls. Final funding decisions are communicated in the last week of May, and grants commence in the first week of July. These grants are recurring annually.
Applicants should direct Letters of Intent to Olivia Jones at olivia.jones@scbarfoundation.org. The Foundation’s offices are located at 950 Taylor Street, Columbia, SC 29201, with additional contact via phone at 803-765-0517. This structured and transparent grant process helps to strategically allocate funding to organizations that expand legal access and advance justice for all South Carolinians.
Highlight alignment with Foundation mission in LOI to improve chances of invitation.
