Heritage Classic Foundation - Grant Information & Application Details

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $16.5 million (2024 expenses including grants and operations)
Total Raised Since 1987: $59.5 million
Decision Time: N/A (no public application process)
Grant Range: Varies by program - donors direct funds to registered charities
Geographic Focus: South Carolina, with emphasis on Lowcountry region
Registered Charity Partners: ~100 organizations

Contact Details

Physical Address:
71 Lighthouse Road, Suite 4200
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Phone: 843-671-2448
Fax: 843-671-6738
Email: Angela@heritageclassicfoundation.com

Key Staff Contacts:

Steve Wilmot, President/Tournament Director (ext. 1229)
Morgan Hyde, VP of Operations (ext. 1231)
Angela McSwain, Director of Marketing & Communications (ext. 1226)
Alexis Romero Grove, Director of Foundation Initiatives: 843-671-2374 or alexis@heritageclassicfoundation.com

Website: www.heritageclassicfoundation.com

Overview

The Heritage Classic Foundation was established in 1987 by Hilton Head residents to secure and operate the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing PGA Tour golf tournament as a vehicle for charitable giving. Since its founding, the Foundation has raised and donated $59.5 million to educational and charitable initiatives throughout South Carolina. The Foundation's mission is "working together to elevate the long-term economic, social and cultural life of South Carolina." As of 2024, the Foundation reported total revenue of $18.9 million and distributed grants and operated programs totaling $16.5 million in expenses. The tournament generates an economic impact of $134.9 million for the region (2024 study). The Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and has been recognized with a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Heritage Classic Foundation does not operate traditional grant programs with applications. Instead, they utilize donor-directed giving models:

Birdies for Charity

Donors pledge between $0.01 and $1 per birdie made during the RBC Heritage tournament, or make flat donations of $25-$1,500
Foundation adds 20% match to all contributions
Since 2000: $7.59 million distributed
Most recent year: $361,000 distributed after 1,161 birdies

Heritage Champions Fore Charity

Year-round giving program accepting donations of $1,000-$10,000 per donor
Foundation provides 20% match
Since 2013: $22.46 million distributed to local nonprofits
100% of donor contributions go to selected charity

Heritage Scholars Program

11 scholarships awarded annually to Beaufort and Jasper County high school seniors
Awards: $16,000-$20,000 (four-year awards) and $4,000 (one-year grants)
Since 1993: $5.6 million distributed to 397 students
2025 distribution: $193,000 to 41 students
Application opens fall annually through Community Foundation of the Lowcountry portal

Priority Areas

The Foundation directs resources to six community pillars:

Children's programs
Scholarships and education
Health and welfare
Arts and culture
Environmental causes
Workforce training

Specific focus areas include nutritious meals, emergency housing, and early childhood education programs.

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation does not make unrestricted grants to organizations outside their registered charity partner list. Organizations must be registered as participating charities to benefit from the Birdies for Charity and Champions Fore Charity programs.

Governance and Leadership

Officers and Executive Committee:

J. Simon Fraser, Chairman
Terry A. Finger, Vice Chairman, Governance Chairman
William G. Miles, Secretary
Richard P. Reichel, Treasurer
Stephen J. Wilmot, President/Tournament Director
Steven P. Birdwell, The Sea Pines Resort
Donald F. Calhoon, Long Range Planning Chairman
Cary C. Corbitt, Charity Chairman
Chris Corkern, Plaid Partner Chairman
Tricia Lynch, Pro-Am Co-Chairman
Michael Manesiotis, Volunteer Chairman
Jeff Reilley, Pro-Am Co-Chairman
Scott H. Richardson, Scholar Chairman
Doug Smith, Palmetto State Initiatives Chairman

Additional Governance:

8 Trustees
4 Honorary Trustees
15 Trustees Emeritus
2 Advisory members

Quote from Steve Wilmot, President:
"Yes, it's about the excitement of having the PGA TOUR professionals here, showcasing the community is great on TV, but it's about giving back and it's about supporting all of these organizations."

Wilmot has been with the Heritage Classic Foundation for over 34 years and is the PGA Tour's longest-standing tournament director.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Organizations Seeking to Become Registered Charity Partners:
The Heritage Classic Foundation does not have a public application process for traditional grants. Instead, they maintain a list of approximately 100 registered charity partners who are eligible to receive donations through the Birdies for Charity and Champions Fore Charity programs.

Organizations interested in becoming registered charity partners should contact:

Alexis Romero Grove, Director of Foundation Initiatives
Phone: 843-671-2374
Email: alexis@heritageclassicfoundation.com

Eligibility requirements for becoming a registered charity partner are not publicly documented and must be discussed directly with Foundation staff.

For Scholarship Applicants:
Students create a username and password to access applications through the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry's scholarship portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=lowcountryscholarship. Applications open in fall for the following academic year.

Decision Timeline

Birdies for Charity: Donations must be made before the last day of the tournament (typically mid-April) and returned to the Foundation by May 31st to receive the 20% match. Distributions occur after tournament conclusion.
Champions Fore Charity: Year-round program with rolling distributions. Donations received after December 1st are credited to the following year.
Scholarships: Applications reviewed based on academic success, community service, essays, and financial need. Finalists participate in interviews. Awards announced spring for fall enrollment.

Success Rates

Scholarship program: Highly competitive with 11 scholarships awarded annually from Beaufort and Jasper County applicants. Requires 3.5+ unweighted GPA and U.S. citizenship.

For charity partners: Not applicable - the Foundation operates a donor-directed model where individual donors select which registered charity receives their contribution plus the 20% match.

Reapplication Policy

Scholarships: Students may apply annually during their senior year of high school. No restriction on reapplication for unsuccessful candidates in subsequent years.

Charity Partners: Organizations remain on the registered list year-over-year unless removed by the Foundation.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations Seeking Charity Partner Status:

Since the Heritage Classic Foundation doesn't publish specific eligibility criteria, organizations should focus on:

Geographic alignment: Priority given to South Carolina organizations, particularly those serving the Lowcountry region (Beaufort and Jasper Counties)
Mission alignment: Organizations working in the Foundation's six priority areas (children's programs, education/scholarships, health and welfare, arts and culture, environmental causes, workforce training)
501(c)(3) status: Must be a registered nonprofit organization
Relationship building: Contact Alexis Romero Grove to discuss eligibility and express interest
Community impact: Demonstrate clear impact in improving lives in South Carolina communities

For Scholarship Applicants:

According to the Foundation, applications are reviewed based on:

Academic success: Minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA on SC Uniform Grading Scale required
Community service: Strong demonstrated commitment to serving others
Leadership skills: Evidence of leadership in school and community
Essay quality: Written responses that showcase character and goals
Financial need: Consideration given to applicants' financial circumstances
Interview performance: Finalists must participate in interviews

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

This is not a traditional grant-making foundation - organizations cannot apply for direct grants but must become registered charity partners to benefit from donor-directed giving programs with 20% foundation matches
Donor-directed model - individual donors select which registered charity receives their contribution, so organizations must cultivate relationships with potential donors who participate in Birdies for Charity and Champions Fore Charity
Geographic focus is paramount - South Carolina organizations, especially those in the Lowcountry region, are prioritized
The Foundation generates funds through tournament operations - all charitable distributions stem from the RBC Heritage PGA Tour event revenues, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations
Building relationships is essential - contact Director of Foundation Initiatives Alexis Romero Grove to explore becoming a registered charity partner
20% match is powerful fundraising tool - registered charities can promote to their donors that contributions made through Heritage Classic Foundation programs receive automatic 20% increases
Scholarship program is highly competitive - only 11 awards annually for Beaufort and Jasper County seniors with stringent academic requirements

References

Heritage Classic Foundation Official Website. "Dedicated to Improving Lives." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.heritageclassicfoundation.com/
Heritage Classic Foundation. "About Us." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.heritageclassicfoundation.com/about-us/
Heritage Classic Foundation. "Giving Opportunities." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.heritageclassicfoundation.com/giving-opportunities/
Heritage Classic Foundation. "Charities." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.heritageclassicfoundation.com/charities/
Heritage Classic Foundation. "Heritage Scholar Program." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.heritageclassicfoundation.com/heritage-scholars/
Heritage Classic Foundation. "Contact Us." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.heritageclassicfoundation.com/about-us/contact/
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Heritage Classic Foundation - EIN 57-0835114." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/570835114
Charity Navigator. "Heritage Classic Foundation Rating." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/570835114
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. "Heritage Classic Foundation Scholarship." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://cf-lowcountry.org/students/heritage-classic-foundation-scholarship
RBC Heritage. "Heritage Classic Foundation Awards 11 Scholarships." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://rbcheritage.com/news/2025-scholars/
WJCL News. "2024 RBC Heritage has total economic impact of $134.9 million." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.wjcl.com/article/2024-rbc-heritage-has-total-economic-impact-of-dollar1349-million/61973664
The Golf Paradigm. "Steve Wilmot: The PGA Tour's longest standing Tournament Director discusses the early years, what many don't know about the Heritage Classic, and why 'Yes' is the answer." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.thegolfparadigm.com/golf-360/steve-wilmot-the-pga-tours-longest-standing-tournament-director-discusses-the-early-years-what-many-dont-know-about-the-heritage-classic-and-why-yes-is-the-answer
Hilton Head Monthly. "Steve Wilmot: The RBC Heritage Man of the Hour." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.hiltonheadmonthly.com/people/profiles/919-steve-wilmot-the-rbc-heritage-man-of-the-hour