For decades, the Exchange Club of Kiawah-Seabrook has raised funds and awarded grants to local charities serving Johns Island and Wadmalaw Island. Through our annual grant process, we invest in programs that strengthen families, expand opportunity for young people, and improve quality of life for our neighbors. 

What We Fund

Grant requests must align to one of our four Programs of Service:

• Child Abuse Prevention — protecting children from abuse and trauma, supporting healing for children and families, and strengthening the community’s ability to recognize and respond when children are at risk.
• Americanism — promoting patriotism, respect for the American flag, and appreciation of our freedoms.
• Community Service — meeting real needs across our islands, often through focus areas such as hunger relief and mentoring, and community health and housing support.
• Youth Programs — strengthening student success through scholarships, classroom support, library resources, and opportunities that broaden student experiences.

Our volunteer-led grant committees manage the process from start to finish. Committees meet with organizations, evaluate proposals, and stay engaged with many of the charities we support—helping ensure funds are awarded where they will have the greatest impact.

Our Grant Cycle

Our process follows a consistent annual rhythm: applications are typically received in late summer, reviewed in the fall, and awarded later in the year. Final annual grant information is generally released by early November.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

To keep the process fair and effective, applicants should be prepared to meet these core requirements:

• A Club member sponsor is required for each grant application.
  
• The requested project must clearly fit within one of the four Programs of Service.
  
• Grants are intended to support services for residents and/or students of Johns and Wadmalaw Islands.
  
• Proof of not-for-profit status is required.
  
• Non-school agencies must be a South Carolina recognized not-for-profit with an auditable and accurate accounting system.
  
• Organizations that are not 501(c)(3) may qualify as an affiliated agency with a related not-for-profit.
  
• Prior-year recipients must report results—including a description of how the last grant was used and an accounting of how funds were spent.
  
• Schools applying must be officially recognized educational institutions in South Carolina.
  
• Funding is not guaranteed for past recipients or new applicants; awards depend on available funding and alignment to current priorities.
  

Application tip: Plan to complete the application in one sitting and submit any supplemental materials as directed during the application process.

Recent Grant Highlights

We publish annual grant results for transparency and community accountability.

• 2025 grant totals: $176,500, including funding across Child Abuse Prevention, Community Health & Housing, Community Hunger & Mentoring, Youth & Education, High School Scholarships, Americanism, and the Angel Oak Award.
  
• 2024 total grants and scholarships: $173,200.
  
• Lifetime impact: Over the club’s history, more than $2,000,000 has been provided to agencies improving quality of life for Johns and Wadmalaw Island residents.

Scholarships

Scholarships are part of our overall community investment, but they follow a separate student-focused application process. Scholarships are awarded to students after graduation from a Johns Island high school.

Special Initiatives in Times of Need

When urgent needs arise in our community, we may also mobilize additional support—combining fundraising and volunteers to help local partners respond quickly.

Questions or Help Getting Started

If your organization is considering applying, we encourage you to start early: identify a club sponsor, define measurable outcomes, and be ready to explain how your program serves Johns and Wadmalaw residents and students.