Grant Application Process
The Process
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Verify Eligibility
Make sure your organization meets requirements.
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Schedule a Pre-Screen Call
Tell us about your intended project.
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Submit Letter of Intent
Required step for all grant applicants to determine eligibility for funding.
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Invitation to Application
If your organization's letter of intent is approved, you will gain access to the online application.
- First, verify eligibility.
To be eligible for a grant, you must be:
- A nonprofit organization that has a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status as determined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- A government agency.
- An educational or research institution that is tax-exempt.
- Next, schedule a pre-screen call.
Set up a pre-screen call with our staff to discuss your intended project at info.foundation@bcbssc.com. This call will determine if your proposal aligns with our funding priorities. It will guide you in submitting a letter of intent.
- Then, submit a Letter of Intent.
You must submit the Letter of Intent form to request grant funding from the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation.
We will only accept one Letter of Intent per nonprofit organization during each grant cycle.
We generally do not accept letters of intent from an organization with an open grant.
When To Submit
2025 Spring Cycle | 2025 Fall Cycle | |
Pre-Screen Calls Begin | December 15, 2024 | May 15, 2025 |
Letter of Intent Due | February 3, 2025 | August 7, 2025* |
Applications Due | March 12, 2025 | September 13, 2025* |
*tentative dates
We review letters of intent carefully. We may invite you to submit a full application if your proposal aligns with our funding priorities.
Application
We do not accept unsolicited applications.
An organization must first submit a Letter of Intent. We will notify an organization if it is invited to submit an application after reviewing its Letter of Intent.
Review and Approval
The Foundation board reviews applications eight to 10 weeks from the application due date. We will advise you of your application's status after this review.
Funding Restrictions
We will not issue grants for:
- doctor, dentist or pharmacist salaries.
- capital campaigns including brick and mortar establishments.
- one-time or annual events, including sports tournaments, camps or event incentives.
- fundraising events, including purchase of tickets or tables, membership drives, raffles or auctions.
- individuals.
- political campaigns or activities that influence legislation.
- advertising.
- religious activities.
- indirect costs.
- other grant-making foundations.
Allowable costs outlined in any specific Request for Proposal may supersede these funding restrictions. Please review our FAQs page if you have further questions about grants.