2026 Systems Change Grants

Sponsor: The Sisters of Charity Foundation
Internal Deadline: 02/10/2026
Institutional Submission Limit: 1
Sponsor Deadline: 03/24/2026
Program Website

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System. It uses resources to reduce poverty through action, advocacy, and leadership.

The 2026 Systems Change Grants fund organizations and coalitions that are working to change the policies, power structures and mindsets that cause and reinforce poverty in South Carolina. These grants specifically fund organizations that:

• Are actively working on systems change that impacts people experiencing poverty and addresses economic mobility or housing security.


• Are seeking to change systems at the local, regional, or state level. Systems Change Grants provide up to $75,000 annually for local or regional work. State level grants have a $100,000 maximum each year.


• Are addressing systems change in at least one of the following ways:




• Participating in advocacy or lobbying.


• Addressing unequal power.


• Affirming the dignity of people experiencing poverty.


• Implementing big impact scalable, or innovative solutions.

Submission Process

Limited submissions MUST be coordinated with the Office of the Vice President for Research.

If interested in applying for this opportunity, please combine the following items into a single PDF and email to resdev@mailbox.sc.edu by 5pm on the INTERNAL DEADLINE above:

• Cover page with grant program name & number (if applicable) to which you are applying, your project title, PI (name, department/unit, & email), and list of co-PIs/key collaborators (name & department/unit)
• a two-page project abstract addressing key components/criteria for this specific grant program
• a 2-3 page CV/biosketch for the PI (SCiENcv preferred)

Once the internal selection process has taken place and an applicant has been selected, the applicant will work with the Office of the Vice President for Research and the Office of Corporate & Foundation Relations to complete and submit the required Letter of Intent on or before March 24, 2026.