Accessibility Grants

About This Grant

Accessibility grants are designed to help South Carolina organizations make arts programs and existing facilities accessible to persons with disabilities by removing accessibility barriers. An accessibility barrier is anything that prevents an individual with a disability from fully accessing a service or fully participating in a program. Examples of accessibility barriers can include, but are not limited to, physical/structural barriers, communication barriers, and digital/technology barriers.

• Organizations are limited to one Accessibility Grant award per fiscal year (July 1–June 30).
• You don’t have to develop a project alone! Connect with disability experts who can help you strengthen your ideas, identify opportunities, and make your project more effective.

To learn more about accessibility, visit the SCAC’s accessibility resources page, which includes links to highly informative topical webinars.

Please Note

• Grant guidelines are subject to change until the application opens.
• SCAC reserves the right to withdraw from consideration any application that does not comply with these guidelines or applicable federal, state, and local laws, statutes, regulations, executive orders, provisions, and requirements.
• In addition to prohibiting content deemed obscene under South Carolina law (SC Code § 16-15-305 (2024)), it is the policy of the Board of Commissioners that in the evaluation of grant applications, work samples, proposed project activities, or grant deliverables, substantially negative weight will be given to projects that contain vulgar, obscene or abusive language, such language being inconsistent with community standards of decency and respect.

• Who Can Get This Grant

  1. Applicants must be either:
     • a designated South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs board,
       OR
     • a South Carolina organization that
       • has a primary mission focused on the arts, or
       • serves as the primary arts provider in its community, or
       • will commit to a project that connects the arts to persons who have disabilities.
  2. Applicants must also be either:
     • a unit of government,
       OR
     • a nonprofit organization
       1. currently registered as a charity with the S.C. Secretary of State’s Office
          Note: Applicants who are exempt from this registration must upload their registration exemption approval.
       2. reflecting S.C. as the primary address on all current official organizational documents
       3. with federal tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service
          OR
          applying through a tax-exempt fiscal agent/receiver organization
          Note: Applicants who are applying through a fiscal agent/receiver must submit a letter outlining the working relationship and responsibilities of both parties.

  In accordance with federal government policy, all organizations – including (but not limited to) private schools, public school districts, government entities, and nonprofit organizations – must provide a valid UEI number* to receive an SCAC grant award.

  *Learn about the Unique Entity ID (UEI)

  Note: If an applicant organization is using a fiscal agent/receiver, separate UEI numbers must be provided for both the applicant organization and the fiscal agent/receiver. Exceptions to separate UEI numbers are organizations run by a local government or a school district.

  Who Cannot Get This Grant

  • Colleges and universities are not eligible to apply for this grant category.
  • Commissioners and staff of the S.C. Arts Commission and members of their immediate families are not eligible to apply for any individual SCAC programs, grants, fellowships, or services that provide financial support or career recognition.

• This Grant Can Be Used For...

  Grant awards may reimburse the applicant for any combination of qualifying expenses incurred during the grant period. Projects may include but are not limited to the following:

  Programs

  • Printing large-print program materials.
  • Printing Braille materials.
  • Artist/consultant fees.
  • Preparation for special exhibitions.
  • Audio description.
  • Sign language interpretation.
  • Website accessibility audit/remediation.
  • Docent accessibility training.
  • Consultant fee to develop an overall accessibility plan for your organization.
  • Inclusive programming.
  • Staff training (e.g., travel to a workshop and/or training).
  • Purchase of assistive listening devices.
  • Other accommodations that make programs accessible.

  Facilities

  • Curb cuts.
  • Construction of accessibility ramp(s).
  • Accessibility signage for exterior and/or interior space.
  • Modification of restroom(s).
  • Modification of drinking fountain(s).
  • Installation of elevator.
  • Installation of electronic door opener.
  • Installation of Braille plaques.
  • Architectural or engineering study to address accessibility of existing facility.
  • Capital improvements (“bricks and mortar”) of existing facilities.
    Note:
    • Capital improvement projects must meet all local and state building codes.
    • If the existing facility is on The National Register of Historic Places or deemed eligible, all work must conform with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
    • Applicants for capital improvement project support must upload:
      1. A copy of the deed or letter from the property owner, acknowledging approval of this capital improvement project.
      2. Photographs, drawings or plans of existing facilities, identifying project areas. All construction documents must be stamped by the architect and/or engineer.
  • Design development and construction documents that address the proposed accessibility project.
  • Adaptive equipment.
  • Other accommodations that make facilities accessible.

• This Grant Cannot Be Used For...

  Grant-Specific Restrictions

  • New construction (new buildings must comply with current ADA requirements).
  • Cosmetic work such as interior painting and furnishings.
  • Actual building construction costs other than costs associated with accessibility.
  • Consultant fees for facilities fundraising.

  SCAC Restrictions

  Prohibited Use of Grant Funds

  • Fundraising activities, such as capital campaigns or endowment campaigns.
  • Construction or renovation projects (with the exception of accessibility-based grant categories).
  • Debt retirement.
  • Activities that take place outside of the grant period.
  • Activities that include lobbying or attempting to influence federal, state, or local legislation.
  • Activities that do not comply with the resolution passed by the S.C. Arts Commission on August 20, 2026.
    • Aug. 20, 2026 Resolution of the S.C. Arts Commission.
    • Contract Guidance for Implementation of Resolution.

  Compliance with State and Federal Laws

  All grant applicants must ensure their applications, proposed projects, and any related materials comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. This includes SC Code § 16-15-305 (2024), which prohibits the dissemination of obscene materials.

  Obscene content is strictly prohibited in grant applications and any proposed project activities. Applications that include materials or activities determined to be obscene will not be reviewed or considered for funding.

  No component of an SCAC-funded project, including those funded with SCAC funds and those funded with matching funds, can fall into this category. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in the termination of funding and other legal consequences.

  We strongly encourage all applicants to carefully review the full legal text of SC Code § 16-15-305 (2024) to ensure their proposals are in full compliance.

• Priority

  Special consideration will be given to individuals or organizations that are located in and/or have projects in SCAC’s Opportunity Initiative Counties:

  • Allendale
  • Bamberg
  • Calhoun
  • Edgefield
  • Fairfield
  • Hampton
  • Lee
  • Marlboro
  • McCormick
  • Saluda
  • Union

  Applicants located in or serving an Opportunity County will receive bonus points added to their final scores. Applicants outside of Opportunity Counties are neither penalized nor discouraged from applying in any way.

• Deadline & Grant Period

  Deadline

  Application period: August 25, 2026 – March 25, 2027

  Applications must be submitted at least five (5) weeks before grant-funded activities begin or purchases are made. Your project start date will be no sooner than 35 days after you submit your application.

  • Example: If you submit your application on Friday, September 4, 2026, the earliest you could begin your project or make purchases would be Friday, October 9, 2026.

  Earlier applications are encouraged. You do not need to wait until five weeks before your project starts to apply. Projects can begin as early as September 29, 2026.

  Applications may be submitted until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the deadline date. However, staff members are not available to assist you with questions or technical difficulties after SCAC closes at 5 p.m.

  Grant Period

  All grant-supported activities must be implemented between September 29, 2026 and May 31, 2027.

  • All project activities have to be done within the project dates stated in the application.
  • If your proposed project is scheduled to end after May 31, please contact us BEFORE submitting your application.

• Funding & Match

  Funding

  Up to $2,500

  Funding Type

  Reimbursement.

  Federal funding note: This grant might be funded using federal dollars. The SCAC will notify the grantee if federal dollars are used. In the event federal dollars are used, the grantee’s match must not consist of federal funding.

  Matching Requirements

  1:1 (grantee:SCAC)

  • At least 50% of the applicant’s match must be cash.
  • Another SCAC grant cannot be used to match these funds.

• Other Things to Know

  Primary Contact Requirement

  The primary contact listed in the grant application must be the main point of contact throughout the application process and, if awarded, during the grant period.

  For organizations, the primary contact must be an employee or active volunteer of the organization applying for the grant. Intermediaries, such as hired consultants or external representatives, are not permitted to serve as the primary point of contact. The primary contact will be responsible for all communications with the SCAC, including responding to inquiries, providing updates, and submitting required documentation. Failure to adhere to this requirement may result in disqualification from the grant process or revocation of awarded funds.

• Grant Criteria

  Are you wondering what makes for a strong application?

  The SCAC recommends using the rubric in this section as a guide when writing your application. Grant panelists will score your application responses based on the criteria within this rubric.

  FY27 Accessibility Grant Application Evaluation Rubric
  Accessibility Barrier Identification – 20%
  Accessibility Barrier	0-1 points: The applicant does not identify a clear accessibility barrier, or the response provides little to no demonstrated understanding of how the barrier affects access or participation.	2-4 points: The applicant identifies a potential accessibility barrier but lacks an understanding of impact. There is little demonstrated understanding of how access or participation is restricted.	5-7 points: The applicant has identified a current barrier to accessibility that will be addressed by this project. The response demonstrates an understanding of how the barrier may limit access or participation.	8-10 points: The applicant clearly identified a specific barrier to accessibility and demonstrates a thorough understanding of its impact, including who is affected and how the barrier limits access or participation.
  Disability Community Input	0-1 points: The applicant demonstrates little to no evidence of engagement with members of the disability community or does not demonstrate that community feedback informed the project's development or decision-making.	2-4 points: The applicant demonstrates limited or informal engagement with members of the disability community or references feedback without clearly explaining how it influenced the project's development or decision-making.	5-7 points: The applicant demonstrates engagement with members of the disability community and provides evidence that feedback informed the project's development or decision-making.	8-10 points: The applicant demonstrates meaningful engagement with members of the disability community with clear evidence that feedback was thoughtfully integrated into the project’s development and decision-making.
  Project Details – 40%
  Accessibility Project Description	0-5 points: The applicant provides little to no clear plan to address the accessibility barrier, or the proposed actions are not aligned with removing the barrier within the grant period.	6-11 points: The applicant presents a plan to address the accessibility barrier, but it lacks sufficient detail, organization, or alignment. It is unclear whether the proposed actions will effectively remove the barrier within the grant period.	12-15 points: The applicant presents a clear and organized plan to address the accessibility barrier. The proposed actions are aligned with removing the barrier within the grant period.	16-20 points: The applicant presents a clear, detailed, and well-structured plan to address the accessibility barrier, with actions that are strongly aligned to effectively remove the barrier within the grant period.
  Involved Professionals	0-1 points: The applicant provides little to no information about the project team, or the information provided does not demonstrate that the team has the expertise, role alignment, or capacity to successfully implement the project.	2-4 points: The applicant presents a team with limited or unevenly demonstrated expertise. Roles are unclear, incomplete, or not well aligned with the proposed project, raising questions about the team's capacity to successfully implement the project.	5-7 points: The applicant presents a qualified team with relevant expertise and defined roles. The team demonstrates the capacity to implement the project.	8-10 points: The applicant presents a highly qualified and strategically assembled team with demonstrated expertise, strong role alignment, and the capacity to successfully implement the project.
  Timeline	0-1 points: The applicant does not provide a clear timeline, or the timeline lacks actionable steps, responsibilities, or milestones needed to support project implementation.	2-4 points: The applicant provides a timeline that is incomplete, overly broad, or lacks sufficient detail. Phases, responsibilities, or milestones are unclear, making it difficult to determine how the project will be effectively implemented.	5-7 points: The applicant provides a clear timeline with identified phases, activities, or milestones. Responsibilities and implementation steps are well described.	8-10 points: The applicant provides a timeline that is clear and actionable with well-defined phases, responsibilities, and milestones that support effective implementation of the project.
  Impact and Sustainability – 20%
  Measure of Success	0-1 points: The applicant does not provide a clear plan for measuring success, or the proposed approach lacks meaningful methods for collecting, analyzing, or using data to evaluate the project's impact.	2-4 points: The applicant provides a limited plan for measuring success, with minimal detail about outcomes, data collection, or evaluation methods. It is unclear how collected information will be analyzed or used to guide project decisions or future efforts.	5-7 points: The applicant provides a clear plan for measuring success that includes identified outcomes, data collection methods, or evaluation strategies. The plan demonstrates an understanding of how information may be used to assess progress.	8-10 points: The applicant's plan for measuring success is comprehensive and strategic, including meaningful data collection and analysis that will be used to inform decision-making and future efforts.
  Sustainability	0-1 points: The applicant provides little to no evidence of a plan to sustain accessibility efforts beyond the grant period, or the proposed approach does not demonstrate integration into ongoing organizational priorities or practices.	2-4 points: The applicant describes intentions to continue accessibility efforts but provides limited detail about how these efforts will be sustained, expanded, or integrated into organizational practices. The long-term impact or feasibility of the plan is unclear.	5-7 points: The applicant presents a plan to continue accessibility efforts beyond the grant period and identifies ways accessibility may be incorporated into ongoing practices. The plan demonstrates commitment to sustainability.	8-10 points: The applicant presents a clear and actionable plan to sustain and expand accessibility efforts that is integrated into the organization’s ongoing practices and priorities.
  Financial Resources and Support 20%
  Financial Resources	0-1 points: The applicant provides little to no budget information, or the budget does not demonstrate adequate planning, alignment, or resources needed to complete the project.	2-4 points: The applicant provides a basic or incomplete budget with limited detail or explanation of expenses. The connection between the budget, proposed activities, and available resources is unclear or requires additional information.	5-7 points: The applicant provides a clear budget with identified expenses that align with the proposed project activities. The budget demonstrates reasonable financial planning.	8-10 points: The applicant provides a highly detailed and well-aligned budget that clearly outlines project expenses and demonstrates strong financial planning and resources to successfully complete the project.
  Support Materials	0-1 points: The applicant’s support materials do not provide meaningful evidence of the accessibility barrier.	2-4 points: The applicant’s support materials provide limited or general evidence of the accessibility barrier.	5-7 points: The applicant’s support materials provide relevant evidence of the accessibility barrier and offer context about its impact.	8-10 points: The applicant’s support materials clearly and convincingly demonstrate evidence of the accessibility barrier, providing sufficient context to understand its impact.
  Compliance with Board of Commissioners Policy on Vulgar, Obscene, or Abusive Language
  Did the applicant indicate that the application contains vular, obscene, or abusive language?	Yes (-10 points)		No
  Opportunity County Priority Points
  The project serves one or more of the identified opportunity counties.	Yes (+6 points)		No
  The applicant is based in an opportunity county.	Yes (+4 points)		No

  Printer-friendly rubric.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through our grants portal, Foundant.

New to Foundant? For frequently asked questions, registration instructions, and other helpful information, we highly recommend visiting the Grants Portal FAQ before you begin working in the system.

• Your Grants Portal Account

  Applicants must have an active account in our grants portal (Foundant).

  If you have previously used Submittable to apply for other SCAC grants or programs, please note that Foundant is a different system. Your Submittable credentials will not work; you will need a Foundant account to apply for this grant.

  If you have used the grants portal as both an artist and for a school or organization, be sure you log on with the correct account to apply for this grant.

• AI and Your Application

  The SCAC recognizes that applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of their grant preparation process. The following policy outlines acceptable and prohibited uses of AI in connection with grant applications and funded projects.

  Artificial Intelligence (AI) Disclosure and Acceptable Use Policy

  • Generative AI must not be used for the creation of the proposed artwork or for generating work samples.
  • AI may be used for editing, proofreading, or improving the clarity and quality of narrative text. However, if you use an AI tool to help write or edit your application, you do so at your own risk. When we receive a grant application, it is our understanding that it reflects the applicant’s original ideas, voice, and intent.
  • You remain fully responsible for the content, accuracy, and integrity of your application, including any material created or revised with the assistance of AI.
  • If we identify falsified, fabricated, or misleading information in a grant application—including information produced through the use of AI—the SCAC reserves the right to remove the grant from consideration, or if awarded, to cancel the grant and invoice the grantee for any funds received.
  • If AI is used inappropriately or in violation of this policy, the SCAC reserves the right to remove the grant from consideration, or if awarded, to cancel the grant and invoice the grantee for any funds received.
  • All applicants must ensure that their applications, proposed projects, and all related materials—including information produced through the use of AI— comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

  Applying for this grant indicates that you, the applicant, agree to the terms of this policy.

   

• Starting Your Application

  1. Click the “Apply” link below. The grants portal will open in a new browser tab or window.
  2. Log on, then click the “Apply” link at the top of your Applicant Dashboard.
  3. Find “Accessibility” in the list of available grant applications, and click the “Apply” button to the far right.

After You Apply

• Review Process

  Applications go through a two-step review process.

  Step 1: Completion and Compliance

  The grants team reviews applications for completion and compliance with guidelines and application requirements. Incomplete or noncompliant applications will not move on to evaluation.

  Step 2: Evaluation

  Grant reviewers evaluate complete applications based on the published review criteria. Reviewer comments are available to applicants upon request.

  Awarding

  Award decisions are based on applicant scores and the availability of funds; award approvals are made by the SCAC Board of Commissioners. Award notification is expected within four (4) to five (5) weeks of submission.

• If You Receive a Grant Award

  If your application is funded, you (and your fiscal agent, if applicable) will sign a contract with the South Carolina Arts Commission. By signing, all parties agree to follow applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations as outlined in the contract.

  You will receive an email with instructions when your contract is ready in the grants portal. Submit your completed contract—including all required signatures and documents—by the deadline shown in the system. Complete any other assigned follow-up items by their due dates as well.

  • Any changes to your project must be preapproved, in writing, by SCAC. To request a change, email grants@arts.sc.gov.
  • Open a sample contract.
    • Additional information on grantmaking and ideology.
  • Additional details about managing an SCAC grant are available on our agency website.

  Grant Payments

  Payment will be on a reimbursement basis only and will be released upon receipt and approval of your final report.

  Final Report Requirement

  ALL GRANTEES are required to submit a final report at the end of the grant period. The final report due date is stated in the grant contract.

  Failure to Meet Grant Requirements

  If you fail to meet the grant requirements, SCAC may take any combination of the following actions:

  • Cancel your grant contract. If cancelled, SCAC is no longer obligated to fulfill the contract, and you must repay any grant funds already received in full.
  • Charge a 10% penalty on your current grant award.
  • Charge a 15% penalty on your next grant award.
  • Withhold future grant awards until the issue(s) is resolved.

  Before taking action, SCAC will make a good-faith effort to contact you to reach a resolution. See the “Delinquent Grantee Communication Policy” below.

  Delinquent Grantee Communication Policy

  Definition of Delinquency

  A grant is considered delinquent if the grantee fails to complete any of the following tasks:

  • Submit required reports by the deadline.
  • Fulfill grant agreement terms (e.g., project deliverables, financial documentation).
  • Respond to SCAC requests for updates or corrections.

  Good Faith Outreach

  Upon identifying delinquency, the SCAC Grants Office will:

  • First Attempt: Notify the grantee via email and phone within five (5) business days, detailing the delinquency and required actions.
  • Second Attempt: If no response after 10 business days, send a follow-up email with “FINAL NOTICE” in the subject line and attempt contact via a second phone call.
  • Third Attempt: If no response after an additional 10 business days (25 days total since initial delinquency), send an email and certified letter to the grantee’s official address on file, stating intent to cancel the grant.

  Grant Cancellation

  • If the grantee does not respond or rectify the delinquency within 15 business days of the certified letter’s receipt, or 30 business days of sending if receipt is not confirmed, the grant will be formally canceled.
  • The grantee will be notified in writing of the cancellation and any required repayment of funds.
  • Canceled grants may impact eligibility for future SCAC funding.

  Exceptions

  Extensions may be granted for emergencies (e.g., natural disasters, documented organizational crises) at the discretion of the SCAC Executive Director.