South Carolina First Steps To School Readiness Board Of Trustees

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $66,207,541 (FY2024)
Geographic Focus: Statewide (all 46 South Carolina counties)
Grant Range: $167,070 - $14,435,228 (varies by grant type)
Primary Recipients: Local First Steps partnerships and 4K providers
Organizational Type: State agency and 501(c)(3) nonprofit

Contact Details

Main Office

Address: 636 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 734-0479
Toll Free: (877) 621-0865
Email: info@scfirststeps.org
Website: https://www.scfirststeps.org

Grant-Specific Contact

Betty Gardiner, Director of Grantmaking and Development
Phone: (803) 734-0219

First Steps 4K Inquiries

Email: free4Ksc@scfirststeps.org
Phone: (877) 621-0865 (Option 1)

Overview

South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness was established by state law (Section 59-152-10 of the South Carolina Code) as both a state agency and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 57-1087576). As the only statewide, dedicated early childhood agency, First Steps operates with the mission that "every South Carolina child will arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed." The organization is unique as "the only funder of early childhood programs in every county of the state," allocating resources based on population and need.

In FY2024, First Steps reached 64,678 children—more than ever before—representing a significant increase from 54,241 children in FY2023. The organization was permanently authorized by state law on June 19, 2023, ending years of operating under "sunset" provisions. Operating under the guiding philosophy that "no child's demographics or zip code should determine their destiny," First Steps leverages state, federal, and private funding to provide early childhood development services throughout South Carolina. In FY2024, total revenue reached $66,207,541, an increase from $57,127,894 in FY2023.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Local First Steps Partnership Formula Grants: $14,435,228 (FY2024)

Awarded annually to all 46 county partnerships based on population and need
Application method: Annual online application
Deadline: Due annually in May
Requires compliance with 46 minimum qualifications

READY Grants (Resources for Early Acceleration and Development in Youth): $3,000,000

Sustain and expand effective programs serving children and families
Focuses on evidence-based and high-intensity services
Prioritizes programs for ages 0-3, rural communities, and underserved counties
Application integrated into Formula Grant application
Available to collaborations of two or more local partnerships

First Steps 4K Expansion Grants: $167,070 (recent round)

Awarded to child care providers and schools to add or expand First Steps 4K programs
Recent grants ranged from individual provider awards to serve an additional 118 children statewide
Requires minimum three-year participation commitment

One-Time Incentive Grants for 4K Providers: Up to $30,000

For newly created and/or newly approved private providers
Addresses building renovations, materials and staffing costs, and other obstacles
Providers also receive up to $10,263 per child per year
$20,000 grant available for materials and supplies with 7+ First Steps 4K students
Three-year participation commitment required

Early Childhood Innovation Grants: $130,720 (FY2023)

Distributed across six counties
Supports innovative approaches to kindergarten readiness

Innovation Investment Expansion Grant

Targets HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) services
Application deadline: August 22, 2025
Eligible applicants: South Carolina First Steps Local Partnerships only

Priority Areas

High-intensity early childhood programs for ages 0-3, particularly in rural communities
Evidence-based programming: 98% of funds directed to evidence-based programs
First Steps 4K: Free, full-day four-year-old kindergarten for qualifying children
Kindergarten readiness and school transition programs
Family support and engagement through local partnerships
Closing achievement gaps: Reducing racial/ethnic gaps in kindergarten readiness
Underserved and rural communities: Geographic equity across all 46 counties

What They Fund

Direct services to children ages 0-5 and their families
Quality early care and education programs
Home visiting programs (e.g., HIPPY)
Language and literacy programs
Kindergarten transition initiatives (e.g., Countdown to Kindergarten)
Professional development for early childhood educators
Program innovation and expansion in early childhood
Local partnership infrastructure and capacity building

What They Don't Fund

Organizations not designated as First Steps local partnerships (for most grants)
Programs serving children outside the 0-5 age range
Partnerships with overhead costs exceeding 13% of total state funds
Partnerships not in compliance with the 46 minimum qualifications
Partnerships under Corrective Action Plans (ineligible for targeted and competitive grants)
Projects without evidence-based or evidence-informed approaches

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Ann Vandervliet, Executive Director (appointed 2024)

Over 20 years of executive leadership in nonprofit and public sectors
Strong focus on early childhood education
Preceded by Georgia Mjartan (resigned June 30, 2024) and interim director Mark Barnes

Board of Trustees

David Morley, Chair

The 22-member Board of Trustees includes:

Representative Shannon Erickson, South Carolina House of Representatives
Representative Terry Alexander, South Carolina House of Representatives
Ellen Weaver, Superintendent, SC Department of Education
Matthew Ferguson, Deputy Superintendent of Education
Dr. Edward Simmer, Interim Director, SC Department of Public Health
Sue Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Children's Trust of SC
Constance Holloway, Interim Director, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs
Wes Wooten, President, The Sunshine House

All Board of Trustees members serve concurrently as members of the Early Childhood Advisory Council. The Board meets quarterly, immediately followed by Early Childhood Advisory Council meetings.

Leadership Quotes

Former Executive Director Georgia Mjartan emphasized the importance of kindergarten transition: "The transition to kindergarten is a pivotal time for young children and families. Countdown to Kindergarten celebrates our youngest learners while providing practical tools and resources that parents have told us they need."

On FY2023's achievements, Mjartan stated: "This was the year parents, providers, and policymakers stepped up for children."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Local First Steps Partnerships (Formula Grants):

South Carolina First Steps awards grants annually to all 46 local First Steps partnership organizations. Applications are submitted online through an integrated system that includes both Formula Grants and READY Grants.

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be a nonprofit corporation organized under Section 501(c)(3)
Must demonstrate compliance with 46 minimum qualifications, including:
- Adoption and adherence to bylaws promulgated by the Board of Trustees
- Board composition, attendance, voting, and disclosure requirements
- Utilization of SC First Steps benchmarks and objectives
- Implementation of effective programs contributing to state goals
Must provide annual match of at least 15% (private donations, grant funds, in-kind resources, or combination)
- Match requirement may be decreased by Board based on partnership capacity
Overhead costs may not exceed 13% of total state funds
Subject to annual performance reviews including board functioning, collaboration, and fiscal accountability

Application Process:

Complete online application annually
Save application progress frequently and store unique application link
Submit by May deadline
Undergo performance review by SC First Steps
Partnerships not under Corrective Action Plans eligible for additional targeted/competitive grants

For First Steps 4K Providers:

Providers (child care centers and private schools) can apply to become First Steps 4K providers through the organization's website. Contact Betty Gardiner, Director of Grantmaking and Development, at (803) 734-0219 for provider grant inquiries.

For Innovation and Expansion Grants:

Only South Carolina First Steps Local Partnerships may apply. Contact Betty Gardiner for specific grant opportunities and application details.

Decision Timeline

Formula Grant applications: Due annually in May
Innovation Investment Expansion Grant: Application deadline August 22, 2025
Performance reviews: Conducted annually by SC First Steps
Board meetings: Quarterly (decision-making occurs at these meetings)

Specific decision timelines vary by grant type. Partnerships are notified via email following Board review.

Success Rates

In FY2024, South Carolina First Steps awarded:

$14,435,228 in state funding to all 46 local First Steps partnerships (100% of eligible county partnerships)
$3,229,248 in federal, state, and private funds through targeted and competitive grants to 44 counties
$167,070 in First Steps 4K Expansion grants to six child care providers and schools

The formula grant structure ensures all 46 county partnerships receive annual funding based on population and need, making this effectively a 100% success rate for established partnerships in good standing.

Reapplication Policy

Local partnerships apply annually for formula grants. Partnerships under Corrective Action Plans (implemented after rigorous review of ability to meet Minimum Qualifications) are ineligible for targeted and competitive grants until deficiencies are remedied. The Board of Trustees identifies remedies with input from the local legislative delegation when significant operational deficiencies or misconduct are identified.

Application Success Factors

Funder-Specific Priorities

Evidence-Based Programming: SC First Steps strongly prioritizes evidence-based programs, with 98% of funds directed to evidence-based programs and only 2% to evidence-informed practices. Applications should clearly demonstrate evidence base.

High-Intensity Services: The organization achieved a 72% increase in high-intensity program enrollment (7,996 children in FY2023), reflecting strategic priority. Their "Every Child Ready 2020-2025 Plan" aims to increase high-intensity program enrollment from 5% to 8% of children in need.

Collaboration: The READY Grant specifically supports "collaborations of two or more local First Steps partnerships." Multi-partnership collaborations are viewed favorably.

Ages 0-3 Focus: READY Grants prioritize programs serving children ages 0-3, rural communities, and underperforming counties.

Leverage and Match: Local partnerships leveraged $25 million from non-state sources in FY2023—a return of $2.66 for every $1 of state funding. Demonstrating ability to attract additional funding strengthens applications.

Compliance is Critical

Partnerships must demonstrate compliance with all 46 minimum qualifications annually. Non-compliance results in Corrective Action Plans and ineligibility for competitive grants. Key compliance areas:

Board composition, attendance, voting, and disclosure requirements
Utilization of SC First Steps benchmarks and objectives
15% match requirement (may be adjusted based on capacity)
Overhead costs below 13% of total state funds
Effective programs contributing to state goals

Demonstrated Impact

The organization tracks specific outcomes:

74% more likely to score at highest level on Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (First Steps participants)
34% less likely to be chronically absent from school (First Steps participants)
96% of classrooms showed measurable improvements (Language and Literacy BOOST program)

Applications should demonstrate how programs will contribute to these types of measurable outcomes.

Recent Testimonials Highlight Family Engagement

Stephanie Perez-Sanchez, Countdown to Kindergarten graduate and later high school valedictorian: "Throughout the summer I was able to prepare for school and overcome any nerves I may have had beginning kindergarten. I truly believe this program was a great start to my education."

Kim West, program coordinator: "There wasn't as much loss of learning because their little minds were stimulated through the summer and put on a learning schedule."

These testimonials emphasize the value of summer learning and family engagement—themes that resonate with the funder.

Strategic Alignment

Applications should align with the "Every Child Ready 2020-2025" strategic plan goals:

Increase reach of services from 17% to 20% of children in need
Increase high-intensity program enrollment from 5% to 8%
Improve quality early care and education access
Increase kindergarten readiness scores to 47%
Reduce racial/ethnic gaps in kindergarten readiness by 1% annually
Expand First Five SC access portal for family services

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic equity is fundamental: SC First Steps ensures funding reaches all 46 counties based on population and need, prioritizing underserved and rural communities
Evidence-based approaches are essential: With 98% of funds directed to evidence-based programs, applications must clearly demonstrate the evidence base for proposed interventions
Annual formula grants fund all eligible partnerships: Established county partnerships receive annual funding; focus on compliance with 46 minimum qualifications to maintain eligibility
Leverage additional funding: The $2.66 return on every dollar demonstrates the value of partnerships that attract additional federal, private, and philanthropic funds beyond state appropriations
High-intensity programs for ages 0-3 are strategic priorities: The 72% increase in high-intensity enrollment and READY Grant priorities signal this focus
Collaboration strengthens applications: Multi-partnership collaborations are explicitly encouraged and funded through READY Grants
Think long-term for 4K expansion: Provider grants require three-year participation commitments, signaling preference for sustained programming over short-term projects

References

SC First Steps To School Readiness - Cause IQ Profile - Accessed December 23, 2025
SC First Steps - Grants Overview - Accessed December 23, 2025
South Carolina First Steps awards over $760,000 in grants for early childhood innovation and program expansion - Accessed December 23, 2025
South Carolina First Steps awards $17,664,476 in grants to support children's healthy development and school readiness - Accessed December 23, 2025
Local First Steps Partnership Formula Grant - Accessed December 23, 2025
READY Grant Application Materials - Accessed December 23, 2025
South Carolina First Steps announces Ann Vandervliet as new executive director - Accessed December 23, 2025
Board of Trustees - SC First Steps - Accessed December 23, 2025
Who We Are - SC First Steps - Accessed December 23, 2025
Contact Us - SC First Steps - Accessed December 23, 2025
South Carolina First Steps – 2023 Annual Report - Accessed December 23, 2025
Reports - SC First Steps - Accessed December 23, 2025
South Carolina First Steps Financial Statements FY2023-24 - Accessed December 23, 2025
South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness - State Code - Accessed December 23, 2025
South Carolina First Steps launches 2023 Countdown to Kindergarten - Accessed December 23, 2025
'Their little minds are stimulated' - Countdown to Kindergarten program - Accessed December 23, 2025