Richland County’s funding cycle is now open for several different grant programs, from historic preservation to tourism.

Qualifying businesses and organizations are encouraged to apply for these grant opportunities that help promote, preserve and improve the many economic and environmental assets of Richland County. Funding opportunities are available through the Accommodations Tax, Hospitality Tax County Promotions and Discretionary Grant programs and the Historic Preservation and Community Conservation Grants program. Deadlines to submit applications occur in February and March.

Accommodations Tax, Hospitality Tax County Promotions and Discretionary Grants

These grants are for project and programs that occur between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017. Nonprofit organizations with activities in Richland County can access applications and guidelines to apply for these funding programs at http://www.richlandonline.com/Government/Departments/Grants.aspx.

•Accommodations Tax Grants provide financial support to fund tourism and tourism-related projects that occur in Richland County.  These events should promote overnight accommodations in unincorporated areas of Richland County. Applications are due before 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2016.  A grant writing workshop will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb.  4 in Council Chambers at the County Administration Building, 2020 Hampton St., Columbia 

•Hospitality Tax County Promotions Grants provide financial support to organizations and projects whose primary mission is to attract tourists by promoting dining in unincorporated areas of Richland County. Please read all guidelines carefully as this program and grant criteria have changed.  Applications are due before 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2016. A grant writing workshop will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 in Council Chambers at the County Administration Building, 2020 Hampton St., Columbia.

•Discretionary Grants provide financial support to nonprofit or charitable organizations within Richland County for programs and projects for underserved citizens.  Applications are due before 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2016.  If your organization received a Discretionary Grant in FY16 (July 1, 2015–June 30, 2016), you are not eligible to apply for funding for FY17. Discretionary Grant recipients must wait one fiscal year before applying for new funding.  A grant writing workshop for this program will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3 in Council Chambers at the County Administration Building, 2020 Hampton St., Columbia.

Historic Preservation and Community Conservation Grants

To help protect and preserve the County’s rich land and historic places, the Richland County Conservation Commission is accepting applications for its Historic Preservation and Community Conservation grants. Non-profit and neighborhood organizations, governmental agencies and institutions and commercial entities may apply for the grants, both of which require a 20 percent match. The deadline for submission for both grants is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, 2016. Grant criteria and applications are available online at richlandlegacy.com.  

•Historic Preservation grants are available in amounts up to $50,000 for preservation/restoration costs for historic buildings and cemeteries or educational and research projects promoting the history of Richland County.

•Community Conservation grants are available in amounts up to $20,000 for trail building, greenway planning, water quality improvement, green infrastructure or environmental education programs.

For more information about Richland County grant opportunities, contact the following:

•Historic and Conservation grant programs: Nancy Stone-Collum, stonecollumn@rcgov.us  or 803-576-2083.

•Accommodations Tax, Hospitality Tax County Promotions and Discretionary Grant programs: Natashia Dozier, doziern@rcgov.us or 803-576-2069.