The webinar will provide information about the Lowcountry Ministries Fund grant opportunity, including an overview of the Fund, eligibility requirements, application process and deadlines, award process, and questions. The Fund was created in response to the 2015 attack at Emanuel AME Church to address social justice and economic empowerment issues in rural areas of six counties. The two-step application process involves submitting a Letter of Intent by April 15th and, if invited, a full proposal by April 22nd. Grants will be awarded over the summer.

1. Information Session Webinar
Thursday, March 31
11:00 a.m.
Presented by
Thetyka Robinson
LowcountryMinistries Fund
An Initiative of the Palmetto Project

2. LowcountryMinistries Fund
An Initiative of the Palmetto Project
What you will learn:
• Fund Overview
• How Does My Organization Qualify?
• What Does the Grant NOT Fund?
• How to Apply: Two Step Process
• Application Deadline
• Award Process
• Questions?

3. LowcountryMinistries Fund
An Initiative of the Palmetto Project
Fund Overview:
The Lowcountry Ministries Fund was created in response to the
senseless attack on a Bible study class at Charleston’s Emanuel
AME Church on June 17, 2015.
Its purpose is to address issues of social justice and economic
empowerment in mostly rural, underserved areas of Allendale,
Hampton, Colleton, Jasper, and lower, southern communities in
Charleston and Beaufort counties.
The Fund has accumulated more than $1.5 million from donors from around
the world.

4. LowcountryMinistries Fund
An Initiative of the Palmetto Project
Fund Overview:
The Fund is managed by the Palmetto Project in consultation
with Jennifer Pinckney, the wife of the late state senator, The
Reverend Clementa Pinckney, and a special Advisory Committee
of community volunteers whose lives were touched both by those
who died and those who survived.

5. LowcountryMinistries Fund
An Initiative of the Palmetto Project
How Does My Organization Qualify?
Applicants must be tax-exempt organizations like a 501(c)(3) organization, a
religious organization, or a public entity with a physical address in Allendale,
Colleton, Hampton, Jasper, and rural parts of lower Charleston and Beaufort
counties, and currently addressing issues of social and economic justice.
Priority will be given to issues focused on:
• Children, youth, and schools
• Health and access to care
• Economic empowerment and revitalization
• Food and nutrition
If your organization has an idea for addressing other aspects of the Fund’s
focus on social justice and economic empowerment, you are encouraged to
submit it along with an explanation of why it is important.

6. LowcountryMinistries Fund
An Initiative of the Palmetto Project
Qualifying with a Partner Organization:
Non-qualified organizations may apply by partnering with a qualified applicant
organization that is located in the six funded underserved communities. Your
Letter of Intent must include the following:
• Specify Lead Organization
• Must explain partnership in Letter of Intent
• How do you plan to work together ?
• How will you account for funds ?
• Accountability with Project Goals?

7. LowcountryMinistries Fund
An Initiative of the Palmetto Project
What does the Grant NOT Fund?
• The Fund CANNOT make grants to individuals, scholarship funds, or
foundations.
• The Fund CANNOT make grants to religious organizations to cover
salaries of church employees, unrelated construction projects, or worship
related activities
• The Fund CANNOT make grants to government organizations and schools
to cover costs associated with the administration, programming, or normal
functioning of these entities cannot be funded

8. LowcountryMinistries Fund
An Initiative of the Palmetto Project
How to Apply: Two Step Process
• Step One: Letter of Intent (LOI)
• Step Two: Full Proposal

9. LowcountryMinistries Fund
An Initiative of the Palmetto Project
Step One: Letter of Intent (LOI)
A. Opening Paragraph: Your Summary Statement
B. Statement of Need: The WHY of the project (1-2 paragraphs)
C. Project Activity: The WHAT & HOW of the project (This will be the bulk
of your letter)
D. Outcomes (1-2 paragraphs; before or after the Project Activity)
E. Credentials (1-2 paragraphs)
F. Budget (1-2 paragraphs, use charts or grids, if necessary)
G. Closing (1 paragraph)
H. Signature
For additional guidance on writing your LOI, review the LOI Instructions at
http://palmettoproject.org/letter-of intent-instructions/

10. LowcountryMinistries Fund
An Initiative of the Palmetto Project
Letter of Intent: Don’t Forget!
Organizations with 501(c)(3) status must include the
following:
• Copy of their IRS letter indicating their non-profit status
• Total income and expenses for 2014 and 2015.

11. LowcountryMinistries Fund
An Initiative of the Palmetto Project
Step Two: Application Process
• Should your LOI be accepted, you will be notified by Friday,
April 22 to submit additional information and materials to
support your request.
• Only those whose LOI make it clear that they are qualified
applicants will advance to this second step.
• Full Proposals from qualified applicants will be evaluated by
the Advisory Committee and funding allocations will be made
accordingly.

12. LowcountryMinistries Fund
An Initiative of the Palmetto Project
Award Process:
Funds will be allocated this summer in the form of one-time grants to eligible
organizations in the designated counties whose programs and projects align
with the Fund’s focus on social justice and economic empowerment.
All awarded funds will need to be expended or obligated by grantees before
January 2018.

13. LowcountryMinistries Fund
An Initiative of the Palmetto Project
Deadline to Apply
Letter of Intent must be received by
3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 15
Mailing Address
Lowcountry Ministries Fund
c/o Palmetto Project
6296 Rivers Avenue #100
North Charleston SC 29406
Email
LMFund@palmettoproject.org

14. LowcountryMinistries Fund
An Initiative of the Palmetto Project
Questions?
Thetyka Robinson
843-901-5806
LMFund@palmettoproject.org