For Immediate Release
October 30, 2020
Contact: Shireese M. Bell at 803-563-0283 or sbell@cma.sc.gov
The SC CARES Call Center will be open from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1 to answer questions about the Minority and Small Business Relief Grant Program and the Nonprofit Relief Grant Program.
These programs will provide grant reimbursements to South Carolina's small businesses and nonprofits for qualifying COVID-19 related expenditures.
Grant awards for the Minority and Small Business Grant Program will range from $2,500 to $25,000. To qualify for a grant from the Minority and Small Business Grant Program, a business must employ 25 or fewer employees, be physically located in South Carolina, be in operation from Sept. 13, 2019, to present, and have experienced a business impact due to COVID-19.
Grant awards for the Nonprofit Relief Grant Program will range from $2,500 to $50,000. To qualify for the Nonprofit Relief Grant Program, an organization must be designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by the IRS and registered as a public charity in S.C., be physically located in South Carolina, be in operation from Sept. 13, 2019, to present, and have experienced a business impact due to COVID-19.
The online application process ends Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on November 1. To access the online application, tutorials, application process tools and more, visit https://accelerate.sc.gov/cares-act/applying-sc-cares-act-funds.
If a business or nonprofit organization needs assistance or has questions, please contact the SC CARES Call Center at (803) 670-5170. Throughout the weekend, applicants can also email questions to the SC CARES Center at sccares@admin.sc.gov.
The South Carolina Commission for Community Advancement and Engagement Board of Commissioners October meeting has been rescheduled for December 10, 2026. The meeting was originally scheduled for October 16th and has been moved to the board's next regularly scheduled meeting date.
The Board of Commissioners meeting will be held at 10 a.m. at the Commission’s Board Room located at 246 Stoneridge Dr., Ste. 250, Columbia, SC 29210.
The South Carolina Commission for Community Advancement and Engagement will hold a Native American Indian Advisory Committee meeting and a Board of Commissioners meeting in October.
The Native American Indian Advisory Committee meeting will begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, via Zoom. The meeting will be held to discuss the election of nominees for the State Recognition Committee.
The Board of Commissioners meeting will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 9 a.m. at the Commission’s Board Room located at 246 Stoneridge Dr., Ste. 250, Columbia, SC 29210.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Dr. Delores Dacosta, Executive Director of the South Carolina Commission for Community Advancement and Engagement (ADVANCE SC), has been awarded the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor. Governor Henry McMaster recognized Dacosta during a ceremony on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the South Carolina State House.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Dr. Delores Dacosta, Executive Director of the South Carolina Commission for Community Advancement and Engagement (ADVANCE SC), will receive the Order of the Palmetto on September 30, 2026, at 2 p.m. in the office of Governor Henry McMaster (South Carolina State House, 1100 Gervais St., Columbia, SC 29201).
The Order of the Palmetto is South Carolina’s highest civilian honor. Established in 1971, it recognizes a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, service, and contributions with statewide or national impact.