South Carolina Christian Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $11,326,799 (2023)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $15,000
• Number of Awards: 272 grants (2023)
• Geographic Focus: South Carolina (Upstate and Grand Strand regions)
• Application Method: Invitation-based after completing Ministry Profile
• Decision Time: 3-4 months (July application to October award for Community Trust; November invitation to Spring award for Circle 555)

Contact Details

Website: www.scchristianfoundation.org

Physical Address: 775 Spartan Blvd, Suite 200, Spartanburg, SC 29301

Mailing Address: PO Box 172233, Spartanburg, SC 29301

Phone: 864.949.5800

Email: Admin@SCChristianFoundation.org

EIN: 58-2362123

Overview

Founded in 1997 by four Spartanburg businessmen (Hugh Brantley, Bob Caldwell, Mike Swaim, and Art McQueen), South Carolina Christian Foundation (SCCF) was originally incorporated as Spartanburg Christian Community Foundation before expanding statewide and changing its name in 2008. The foundation's mission is to disciple the hearts of individuals toward biblical stewardship and proactive philanthropy in order to transform communities and advance the Kingdom of God. In 2023, SCCF distributed $11,326,799 across 272 grant awards to Christian ministries throughout South Carolina. The foundation is ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) accredited and serves three primary constituencies: givers (providing tools for strategic charitable giving), financial advisors (supporting professional asset management), and ministries (providing financial resources and leadership development).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Trust Grants: $2,500 - $15,000

• Geographic areas: Spartanburg, Greenville, York, Horry, and Georgetown Counties
• Application timeline: Invitations sent in Summer, awards announced in Fall (applications open in July, awards announced in October)
• Focus: Christian non-profit organizations that share the Gospel with those outside the walls of a local church
• Ministries can apply for up to two locations per grant process

Circle 555 Grants: $1,000 - $10,000

• Geographic areas: Same counties as Community Trust
• Application timeline: Invitations sent in November, grants awarded in Spring
• Focus: Ministries specifically addressing women, children, and families and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• Funded by women's giving circle members who donate $555+ annually ($155+ for members under 35)
• Recent distribution (April 2025): $264,534 to 44 ministries statewide

Priority Areas

SCCF supports Kingdom-focused Christian non-profit organizations in South Carolina, with funding categories including:

• Children's evangelism
• Equipping and discipleship
• Addiction and recovery
• Basic needs ministries
• Homelessness
• At-risk youth
• Foster care and adoption
• Campus ministry
• Special needs ministries
• Women and family services

All funded ministries must share the Gospel with those outside local church walls and demonstrate both "Mercy" (service showing God's love) and "Gospel" (communicating redemption).

What They Don't Fund

SCCF cannot provide grants to:

• Individuals
• Businesses
• Churches (except for special community projects or efforts)
• Church-based schools (except for special community projects or efforts)
• Universities
• Foundations
• International ministries (only local South Carolina programs)
• Capital campaigns
• Debt reduction
• Fundraising events
• Scholarships
• Sponsorships

Governance and Leadership

President: Bobby McDonald

• Background: Graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; served on staff at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, KY; six years as Assistant to the President of Erskine College and Seminary; worked with Palmetto Family Council in Christian public policy
• Joined SCCF in 2010 and has overseen the mission and vision for over 13 years

Board Chair: David Bishop, Founder of White Harvest Foundation

• Quote: "I find great joy in sitting in a room with men and women who I admire for their faithfulness to serve God..."

Other Trustees:

• Hugh Brantley (Co-founder and Past President): "God loves people and has them on His heart."
• Bob Caldwell (Chairman, Grace Management Group): "God has called South Carolina Christian Foundation to long obedience in the same direction..."
• Mike Chibbaro (Senior Facilitator, Battlefield Leadership LLC / Retired Partner, Ernst & Young LLC): "SCCF is deeply committed to connecting the needs of Christ-centered ministries..."
• Ben Hines (President, Spencer/Hines Properties)
• Michael J. Jette (Retired, Wealth Enhancement Group, CFP®, ChFC, CLU®, CKA): "Throughout my career, I have been successful in integrating faith and finances..."
• Kim Miller (President, Eastern Power Technologies, Inc.)

Staff:

• Kim Adam (Client Relations and Support Specialist)
• David Holliday (Director of Financial Operations and Information Management)
• Greg Hynds (Stewardship Advisor)
• Jennifer Morton (Financial Operations Specialist)
• Angie Robinson (Circle 555 Statewide Assistant)
• Kaitlyn Seay (Communications and Marketing Specialist)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

SCCF uses an invitation-based application process:

1. Complete Ministry Awareness Profile Form: All prospective ministry recipients must first complete this initial profile to be eligible for consideration
2. Invitation to Apply: Select ministries that have completed the Ministry Profile will be invited to apply at the appropriate time
3. Submit Full Application: Invited ministries submit detailed applications through SCCF's online grant process

Required Documentation

When invited to apply, ministries must provide:

• 501(c)(3) Letter of Determination
• Current registration with SC Secretary of State
• Profit & Loss Statement
• Balance Sheet
• Operating Budget (for operations grants)
• Final report from previous grant cycle (if previously funded)
• Agreement to SCCF's Statement of Faith

Decision Timeline

Community Trust Grants:

• July: Applications open
• October: Awards announced
• Estimated timeline: 3-4 months

Circle 555 Grants:

• November: Invitations sent
• Spring: Grants awarded
• Estimated timeline: 4-5 months

Success Rates

With 272 awards made in 2023 (up from 227 in 2022 and 197 in 2021), SCCF shows consistent growth in grant-making. However, specific application-to-award ratios and success percentages are not publicly disclosed. The invitation-based system suggests a pre-screening process that may improve ultimate success rates for those invited to submit full applications.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. SCCF notes that "grants are not guaranteed year-over-year," indicating that even previously funded ministries must reapply. For specific guidance on reapplication, contact Admin@SCChristianFoundation.org or call 864.949.5800.

Application Success Factors

Based on SCCF's stated priorities and evaluation criteria, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Evangelistic Purpose

• SCCF defines the Gospel as "the direct, intentional, and relational verbal or written communication of God's redemption of sinful humanity as articulated in SCCF's Statement of Faith"
• Applications must clearly articulate how funds will "promote evangelistic purpose"
• Balance both "Mercy" (service showing God's love) and "Gospel" (communicating redemption)

2. Ministry Outside Church Walls

• Primary focus on organizations that share the Gospel with those outside local church walls
• Churches and church-based schools only qualify for special community projects or efforts

3. Alignment with Statement of Faith

• Ministries must agree to SCCF's Statement of Faith with each grant application
• Demonstrates commitment to evangelical Christian theology and practice

4. Strong Financial Documentation

• Current registration and good standing with SC Secretary of State
• Clear financial statements and budgets
• Previous grant recipients must provide final reports showing responsible stewardship

5. Geographic Focus

• Must serve communities in SCCF's target counties: Spartanburg, Greenville, York, Horry, or Georgetown
• Demonstrates local South Carolina impact (no international ministries)

Recent Grant Recipients (Examples from 2022 announcement):

• Sonshine Club (Spartanburg County): Provides worship, teaching, and fellowship for people with special needs
• A Light Unto My Path (Spartanburg County): Sober living homes for women in recovery using 12-step programs with spiritual growth
• Ruth's Gleanings (Spartanburg County): Provides fresh and healthy food to people in nutritional poverty through gleaning and FoodShare
• Christopher's Hope Foundation (Spartanburg County): Teen suicide awareness and prevention ministry collaborating with schools

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Complete the Ministry Profile first: This is your gateway to being invited to apply—treat it as seriously as a full application
• Emphasize both mercy and Gospel: SCCF evaluates how you integrate compassionate service with explicit Gospel communication—avoid being only a social service organization
• Target your geographic location: Clearly demonstrate how you serve one of SCCF's five priority counties in the Upstate or Grand Strand regions
• Align with their Statement of Faith: Review SCCF's theological requirements carefully and demonstrate clear evangelical Christian identity
• Know your grant stream: Community Trust supports broader Christian ministries; Circle 555 specifically targets women, children, and families
• Build relationships before applying: As an invitation-based funder, SCCF values knowing ministries through their Ministry Profile before extending application invitations
• Demonstrate stewardship: If previously funded, strong final reports increase likelihood of future invitations; grants are not guaranteed year-over-year

References

• South Carolina Christian Foundation official website: https://www.scchristianfoundation.org/ (accessed January 2026)
• Ministry Grants page: https://www.scchristianfoundation.org/services/ministries/ministry-grants (accessed January 2026)
• Ministry Guidelines: http://www.scchristianfoundation.org/ministry-guidelines (accessed January 2026)
• SCCF History: https://www.scchristianfoundation.org/about/history (accessed January 2026)
• Leadership and Trustees pages: http://www.scchristianfoundation.org/leadership and http://www.scchristianfoundation.org/trustees (accessed January 2026)
• Contact page: https://www.scchristianfoundation.org/contact (accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report for South Carolina Christian Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/south-carolina-christian-foundation (accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/south-carolina-christian-foundation,582362123/ (accessed January 2026)
• "SCCF Gifts $225K to Ministries in the Upstate" (blog post): https://www.scchristianfoundation.org/blog/sccf-gifts-225k-to-ministries-in-the-upstate (accessed January 2026)
• "Circle 555 Women's Giving Donates $264K+ to Ministries Statewide" (blog post): https://www.scchristianfoundation.org/blog/circle-555-womens-giving-donates-264k-to-ministries-statewide (accessed January 2026)
• ECFA profile: https://www.ecfa.org/MemberProfile.aspx?ID=42472 (accessed January 2026)