State and Local Grants

Need grantwriting tips? Green Steps mentor Sonya Younger suggests www.schoolgrants.org, a collection of resources and tips is intended to help K-12 educators apply for and obtain special grants for a variety of projects, and Show Me the Money: Tips and Resources for Successful Grant Writing.

Bright Ideas Grants from Mid Carolina Electric Cooperative
Mid Carolina Electric Cooperative's Bright Ideas grants program is open to classroom educators of grades K-12 in the following districts/schools:

  • Lexington School Districts One, Two, Three and Five
  • Hollywood Elementary School (Saluda County)
  • Pinegrove, Rhame, and Sandel Elementary Schools and Columbia High School (Richland County)
  • Private schools within MCEC service territory are also eligible.

Click here for more information and the application. 2008 applications must be received at Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative by September 5, 2008.

Challenge for the Environment Grant from Palmetto Pride
PalmettoPride is now accepting proposals from elementary, middle and high schools to particpate in their Challenge for the Environment grant program. This competitive grant provides funds for educational and developmental activities concerning the importance of community-based beautification and litter reduction inivitives. Click here for more information.

DHEC's Champions of the Environment Grant Program
South Carolina's K-12 teachers, students and environmental educators can apply for a $500 grant. Five $500 grants will be awarded in October 2008. The deadline for applications for the first round of grants is September 15, 2008. The deadline for the second round of grants is January 15, 2009. The application form is a fillable Word document that you can submit by email. Click here to learn more and download the application form.

DHEC's Recycling Education Grant Program
This grant program is available to schools to promote awareness of solid waste issues, including the need to reduce the solid waste we generate, and to recycle whenever we can. All projects are required to include a used oil awareness project. Any K-12 public or private school may apply on its own or school districts may apply on behalf of their schools. Grant awards are competitive, funding is limited and awards may vary from year to year.

Eligible projects include:

  • Containers - Classroom or outdoor bins used to collect recyclables.
  • Composting - This may include supplies for composting projects and/or vermi-composting projects. 
  • Action for a Cleaner Tomorrow Lesson Supplies - This may include supplies to support lessons from Action for a Cleaner Tomorrow. 
  • Recycling Club Supplies - This may include supplies to support recycling related activities of the Club. 

Applications for the 2009 Recycling Education Grant program will be available July 1, 2008. Schools will be eligible for up to $2,500 and applications will be accepted between July 1, 2008 and March 1, 2009. Grants will be awarded throughout that time period.

Click here for more information or e-mail Sharon Thompson.