In a fourth round of COVID-19-related grantmaking, three local nonprofits received $159,612. The money comes from $770,437 in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grants the Town of Hilton Head Island received this year. The funds are earmarked to assist low- to moderate-income families affected by COVID-19. The Town partnered with Community Foundation of the Lowcountry to grant these funds to nonprofit organizations assisting Hilton Head Island residents with rent, utilities, mortgage, food, transportation, childcare, education and other needs. To date, they have disbursed $675,612 of the funds.

The three nonprofits receiving grants include:

The Foundation for Educational Excellence, which received $61,000 for two projects to offset learning deficiencies resulting from COVID-19 school closures. Of the total, $26,000 will fund a 12-week tutoring programs at Hilton Head Elementary School, Hilton Head Middle School and Hilton Head High School. The remaining $35,000 will be used for manipulatives and materials for Hilton Head Early Childhood Center and Hilton Head Elementary School for the Creative Arts. Both awards will benefit Hilton Head students whose families meet HUD requirements.

The Children’s Center was awarded $43,612 for remediation costs, personal protection equipment (PPE) and other safety supplies required to mitigate the threat of COVID-19 being spread among children and staff. 

Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island, in collaboration with the Greater Island Council, was awarded $55,000 to provide isolation boxes and/or lodging for low- to moderate-income residents of Hilton Head Island who have tested positive for COVID-19 and who live in congregate housing, to prevent the spread of the virus through the household. 

Additional grants will be distributed in the future. The next grant application deadline is Friday, January 8, 2021. For more information about the grants, guidelines and timelines, visit cf-lowcountry.org or hiltonheadislandsc.gov or call Community Foundation of the Lowcountry at 843.681.9100. 

Since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry has been connecting people, resources and needs by helping build stronger communities and assisting donors in making a difference through charitable giving. With over 350 charitable funds, combined assets totaling $70 million and grantmaking and scholarships reaching $82 million, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties.