Cultural Districts Grants

About This Grant

This grant supports a broad range of creative placemaking endeavors led by S.C. Cultural Districts, including—but not limited to—festivals, performances, workshops, and public art projects.

All programming must be located within a Cultural District’s approved boundaries and align with its strategic plan.

Projects should:

1. Integrate arts, culture, or design activities.
2. Include non-arts partnership(s).
3. Engage the public.
4. Involve artists, designers, or culture bearers.

Each S.C. Cultural District may submit only one (1) application per deadline.

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.

• Who Can Get This Grant

  1. The applicant must be a current S.C. Cultural District in good standing as determined by the SCAC.

  • • Good standing includes, but is not limited to:
      1. Completed annual reports.
      2. Full, active steering committees with at least five (5) members and composed of organizations and individuals that represent the interests of the district.
      3. Updated contact information of city representative.
      4. Active participation in cultural district program.
         • Applicant must:
           • Have attended at least one (1) cultural district professional development meeting per year.
           • Be a member of the cultural district committee.

  2. The applicant must be a unit of local government or approved designated nonprofit liaison as stated in the Letter of Intent.
  3. The applicant must have a valid Unique Entity ID.

     • 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

  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 funds must be used for actual project costs, defined as consumable and non-consumable items needed to complete the proposed project.

  Projects must take place within the cultural district and must support the cultural district as a whole; funds cannot support any specific organization’s program.

  Eligible expenses

  These include, but are not limited to:

  • Contractual fees paid to artists, musicians, curators, programmers, arts presenters, performers, facilitators, designers, or consultants, including travel and lodging.
  • Event production costs for equipment/venue rentals and operation; sound, lighting, stage rigging, visual/digital components, and insurance for the arts programming only.
  • Marketing including, but not limited to, graphic design services, advertising space, banners and signs, promotional materials, digital or print materials, and website or social media.

  If You Are Hiring Artists or Teaching Artists

  All grant activities that take place in schools (whether during the school day, summer, or after school) must be conducted by either:

  • SC Arts Directory organizations (this directory status covers individual staff members of the listed organization) OR
  • SC Arts Directory artists, teaching artists, or creative arts therapists

  Artists identified as Verified Teaching Artists on the S.C. Arts Directory have been additionally vetted by SCAC through the submission of sample lesson plans, recorded teaching samples, and letters of recommendation.

  • Learn more about the S.C. Arts Directory.
  • Search for an artist.

  Indirect Cost Limitation

  No more than 10% of the total grant funds may be used for indirect costs (general overhead expenses not directly tied to the project). The remaining 90% must go toward direct costs, which are necessary to carry out the funded project.

  • Examples of direct costs: Artist fees, program supplies, travel for project activities, and venue rental.
  • Examples of indirect costs: Administrative salaries not directly working on the project, office rent, utilities, and general office supplies.

  This ensures that most of the funding directly benefits the project while allowing some flexibility for necessary overhead costs.

• This Grant Cannot Be Used For...

  Grant-Specific Restrictions

  These include, but are not limited to:

  • Salaries for city employees.
  • Non-arts activities.
  • Food and beverages, including alcohol.
  • Events organized for or by political parties.
  • Trade fairs, events of a commercial nature, and consumer shows.
  • Endowment funds or events that are produced solely as fundraisers, or that contribute to endowments.
  • Competitions and award ceremonies.
  • Cash prizes, purchases/awards, plaques.
  • Re-granting.
  • Events that are restricted to private or exclusive participation (by invitation and/or purchase requirements that exceed the cost of a typical, standard ticket to an event/performance).
  • Interest on borrowed money.
  • Lawsuits.
  • Disposal of assets.
  • Clothing (not including costumes for theatre projects).
  • Credit card processing fees.
  • Capital expenses or purchases.

  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.

• Deadline & Grant Period

  Deadlines

  • Part One: Letter of Intent to Apply – December 17, 2026
  • Part Two: Full Grant Application (By Invitation Only) – April 22, 2027

  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

  August 1, 2027 – May 31, 2028

• Funding & Match

  Funding

  Up to $10,000

  Funding type

  Expense reimbursement.

  Matching Requirements

  1:2 (grantee:SCAC)

  • A 1:2 match means that for each SCAC dollar granted, the grantee must match with $0.50 of their own funds.
    • For example, if the total project cost is $15,000, the applicant may request $10,000 and must provide the remaining $5,000 from other sources.
  • At least 50% of the applicant’s match must be cash.
  • Funds may not be matched with another SCAC grant.

• 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 reviewers will score your application responses based on the criteria within this rubric.

  FY28 Cultural District Grant Letter of Intent (LOI) to Apply Evaluation Rubric
  Letter of Intent Evaluation – 45 points possible
  District Description	0-1 points: LOI includes little to no description of the district.	2-3 points: LOI includes some information about the district.	4-6 points: LOI includes a clear overview of the district's current arts-based programming, audience, and culture.	7-8 points: LOI includes qualitative data points about audience, current programming and district culture.
  Project Overview	0-1 points: LOI includes little to no description of the project.	2-5 points: LOI includes some information about the project.	6-9 points: LOI includes clear plans and timeline goals.	10-12 points: LOI plans are deeply focused and the timeline goals are specific and achievable.
  Strategic Plan	0-1 points: Project goals show little to no connection to the Cultural District’s strategic plan. Alignment is unclear with no evidence of intentional planning.	2-5 points: Project goals show some relevance to the strategic plan, but connections are partial or weak. Alignment is limited or scattered across plan objectives.	6-9 points: Project goals clearly reflect the priorities or action steps in the strategic plan. There is intentional planning and explanation of how the project advances the strategic plan + objectives is present.	10-12 points: Project goals are deeply aligned with the strategic plan, demonstrating thoughtful, intentional alignment. The project advances multiple strategic priorities, reflects insight into long-term goals, and shows potential for meaningful impact on the district’s vision.
  Project Applicant	0-1 points: The applicant is not relevant or located within the district. They have had no involvement in the cultural district program.	2-5 points: The applicant is relevant to and located within the district and has only been somewhat involved in the cultural district program.	6-10 points: The applicant is located in the district and has clearly been involved in the cultural district program.	11-13 points: The applicant is located in the district and has been highly active and deeply involved in the cultural district program as a decision maker, leader, and primary point of contact.
  Letter of Support – 10 points possible (if applicable)
  	0-1 points: Letter of support was provided but shows little to no understanding of the project or does not explain why the applicant is the appropriate organization to carry out the project.	2-4 points: Letter of support shows some understanding of the project and minimal explanation of why the applicant is the appropriate organization to carry out the project.	5-8 points: Letter of support shows an understanding of the project and clear explanation as to why the applicant is the appropriate organization to carry out the project.	9-10 points: Letter of support shows an in-depth understanding of the project, and the explanation as to why the applicant is the appropriate organization to carry out the project is highly detailed and specific.

  Printer-friendly rubric.

How to Apply

The Cultural District Grant requires a Letter of Intent to Apply (LOI). The LOI can be submitted by the city official associated with the cultural district or the city may appoint a designated liaison. If the designated liaison submits the LOI, they must also submit a Letter of Support (LOS) from the city official. The following materials will be submitted through the Grants Portal.

1. Letter of Intent to Apply
   • The LOI should include:
     • A brief description of the cultural district that includes information about current arts-based programming, audience, and culture.
     • A brief overview of the proposed project that includes general plans and timeline goals.
     • An explanation of how the project goals align with your long range Cultural District strategic plan.
     • The role of the applicant within the district.
2. Letter of Support from the city (if applicable)
   • Letter of support must:
     • Show understanding of and support for the specified project.
     • State why the applicant is the appropriate organization to carry out the project.
3. Approved Cultural District Strategic Plan

Based on a review of the submitted letters of intent, selected applicants will be invited to develop their proposal into a full grant application. Only those invited to proceed to Part Two will be eligible for Cultural District Grant funding.

• 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. Follow 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 “Cultural Districts” 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 notifications are expected following the June 2027 board meeting.

• 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’ll 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.