Two of the City of Charleston’s community-focused grant programs are now open for applications, offering nonprofits and public agencies the chance to secure crucial funding for local projects. These grants aim to benefit Charleston residents and support community organizations that provide services throughout the city.
Available Grant Programs
The State Accommodations Tax Grant (A-Tax) and Community Assistance Grant programs are both designed to channel funds back into the Charleston community, leveraging tourism dollars to support local programs.
Deja Knight McMillan, spokesperson for the City of Charleston, described the program as a “win-win” for everyone, as it supports both local programs and helps make tourism-generated revenue work for the city’s residents and businesses.
Grant Funding in 2025
In 2025, the City of Charleston distributed $2.5 million through the A-Tax Grant and $200,000 through the Community Assistance Grant, benefiting 81 organizations across the city. These grants are essential for many nonprofits, allowing them to provide critical services to Charleston’s residents.
For example, Camp Happy Days, an organization supporting children and families facing cancer diagnoses, relies on these funds to assist families in crisis. Cindy Hay Johnson, Executive Director of Camp Happy Days, shared that the grants provide critical support during difficult times. “It can really be helpful because the last thing a family needs to worry about is whether the water or the power’s going to be cut off,” she explained.
Other Local Beneficiaries
Charleston Stage Company also benefits from this kind of support. Lauren Kay, Senior Director of Development for the company, said that these grants make a huge difference for nonprofit organizations, especially those working with limited resources. “Nonprofits in general have these ‘do more with less’ mindsets, being under-resourced,” Kay said.
How to Apply
Nonprofits and public agencies that operate within Charleston city limits or serve Charleston residents are eligible to apply for either or both grants. The city typically receives about 100 applicants, but officials are hoping for a larger number this year.
Deja Knight McMillan emphasized the importance of reaching as many nonprofits as possible: “We’re giving it out to as many great nonprofits as possible,” she said.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for both grants is August 29. Interested organizations can find more information and check eligibility for the A-Tax Grant and Community Assistance Grant by following the provided links.
Final Decision Process
The final funding decisions will be made by the Charleston City Council and the Mayor during the upcoming budget meeting.
