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Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation, Inc.

Annual Giving
$6.8M
Grant Range
$1250K - $10.0M

Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation, Inc.

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,796,854 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $148.7 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only/pre-selected organizations)
  • Decision Time: Varies by project (foundation initiates and manages projects)
  • Grant Range: $1.25 million - $3.3 million (documented major projects)
  • Geographic Focus: Columbia and the Midlands region of South Carolina, with some support in Virginia

Contact Details

Mailing Address: 2711 Middleberg Drive, Suite 313A, Columbia, SC 29204

Website: https://www.boydfoundationcolumbia.org

Social Media: Facebook and Instagram

Note: Contact information for specific programs or pre-application inquiries is available through the website's encrypted contact form.

Overview

Founded in 2010 by businessman and developer Darnall "Donny" Boyd, the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation has grown into one of South Carolina's most influential family foundations with assets of $148.7 million. When Boyd died in 2015, he left his estate to the foundation to continue improving quality of life in Columbia and South Carolina. The foundation's mission focuses on enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities, education, and preservation of history to make the Midlands an attractive place to live, work, and play. Under the leadership of President George S. Bailey and board chair Susan F. Boyd, the foundation takes a unique hands-on approach, managing projects from start to finish rather than simply distributing funds. With over $6.5 million in annual giving, the foundation has become a notable force of charitable giving in the Capital City, funding major infrastructure and community development projects that bear the Boyd name.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate traditional grant programs with applications. Instead, it identifies and manages significant capital projects directly. Recent major investments include:

  • Education Programs: $2.3+ million to Clemson University for the Boyd Scholars Program; $1.25 million for engineering student support; scholarships at Washington & Lee University and Sandhills School
  • Historic Preservation: $3.3 million for Taylor House renovation at USC School of Law
  • Parks and Recreation: $2.1 million for Cayce's 12,000 Year History Park Visitor's Center; over $1 million for the Sanctuary at Boyd Island
  • Cultural Institutions: $10 million for the Boyd Aquarium & Reptile Conservation Center at Riverbanks Zoo (opened March 2023); $2.8 million for Boyd Plaza at Columbia Museum of Art
  • Infrastructure: $3.2 million for Broad River Pedestrian Bridge

Priority Areas

The foundation actively funds projects in three core areas:

  1. Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Conservation: Wildlife sanctuaries, parks, pedestrian bridges, river access, living shorelines, and nature-focused educational facilities
  2. Education: Scholarship programs for South Carolina students, particularly in engineering and STEM fields; educational facilities and programs
  3. Historic Preservation: Renovation and preservation of historically significant buildings and sites, particularly those with family connections or community significance

According to a family statement: "Our family has cared deeply about South Carolina for many years and has worked hard to make it a better place."

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside the Columbia/Midlands region of South Carolina (with rare exceptions in Virginia for projects with family connections)
  • Operating expenses or general support (focus is on capital projects)
  • Projects without lasting community impact
  • Organizations not pre-selected or identified by the board

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (9 members)

  • George S. Bailey - President/Director (Compensation: $150,000)
  • Joseph P. Wilczewski - Executive Director/Treasurer (Compensation: $129,000)
  • Taylor F. Boyd - Vice President/Director (Compensation: $58,000)
  • Ford B. Bailey - Secretary/Director
  • Susan F. Boyd - Director (widow of founder Darnall Boyd)
  • I. Johnson Small - Director
  • B. Walter Taylor, Jr. - Director (related to the Taylor family, Susan Boyd's grandparents)
  • W. Darnall B. Bailey - Director
  • Mary Bond S. Bailey - Director of Communications

Leadership Philosophy

According to President George Bailey, the foundation is unique in that they "do not merely contribute funds" but instead "handle the project from start to finish" and then put their name on it. When Darnall Boyd died in 2015, it was his wish to leave his estate to the foundation so it could be used to improve quality of life in Columbia and South Carolina.

Susan Boyd has stated: "It's important to be in the forefront and a leader in conservation to ensure that our world's wildlife and their important habitats are preserved for generations."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to pre-selected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

The foundation identifies projects through:

  • Board member connections and family interests
  • Strategic initiatives aligned with the late Darnall Boyd's vision
  • Direct partnerships with established institutions (universities, museums, municipalities)
  • Projects that enhance the Columbia/Midlands region's quality of life

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation initiates and selects projects rather than reviewing applications. Projects are typically multi-year capital initiatives managed directly by foundation staff and board members.

Success Rates

Not applicable - there is no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - unsolicited applications are not accepted.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the following insights are relevant for understanding their project selection:

Projects the Foundation Has Recently Funded:

  • Large-scale capital projects ($1-10 million range) with permanent community impact
  • Educational institutions with South Carolina connections, particularly scholarship programs supporting state residents
  • Historic preservation projects, especially those with family significance
  • Environmental and recreational infrastructure that provides public access to natural areas
  • Cultural institutions that serve the broader Columbia community

Foundation's Documented Approach:

  • They take full ownership of projects from concept through completion
  • Projects bear the Boyd name, indicating their preference for signature, high-visibility initiatives
  • They value hands-on board involvement rather than passive grant-making
  • Focus on "projects that will be remembered and enjoyed for generations"
  • Strong preference for physical infrastructure and capital improvements over programmatic support

Language and Priorities: From foundation materials, key themes include: "improve the quality of the lives of those who live, work, and play in the Midlands," "enhance the outdoors, education, and the preservation of history," "make Columbia a better place to live," and "encourage young people to stay and live in the Midlands."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications - they identify and initiate their own projects
  • Geographic Focus: Essentially all funding goes to Columbia and the Midlands region of South Carolina; funding outside this area is extremely rare
  • Project Scale: Recent documented grants range from $1.25 million to $10 million for major capital projects
  • Hands-On Approach: The foundation manages projects directly rather than simply providing funds; they expect to be involved from start to finish
  • Legacy Focus: Projects must have lasting, multi-generational impact and typically bear the Boyd name
  • Three Pillars: All funded projects align with outdoor recreation/conservation, education, or historic preservation
  • Institutional Partnerships: The foundation works with established organizations (universities, municipalities, major cultural institutions) rather than small nonprofits

References

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