Gambrill Foundation

Mission

To support a variety of charitable causes with a primary focus on organizations that uplift and positively impact the residents of the Anderson County, South Carolina area.

Annual application deadlines

April 1 and September 15

Program areas

Arts, culture, and humanities
Education
Environment, animals
Health
Human services
Public/society benefit
Religion

Program limitations

There are no program limitations; however, preference will be given to libraries, churches, universities, and colleges.

States served

South Carolina

Geographic limitations

The primary purpose of the trust is to support charitable organizations located in, operating in, or benefitting the residents of the Anderson County, South Carolina area.

Types of support

Grants for capital or special purposes will be preferred over grants for general or operational use. Priority will be given to grants that will be “matched” by funds from other sources.

Trustees

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Corporate Co-Trustee with 5 individual Co-Trustees

The Gambrill Foundation awards grants to organizations for religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Grantmaking priorities

Grants to charitable organizations will be made at the sole and unrestricted discretion of the individual Co-Trustees. Generally, grants are designated for use within the Anderson County, South Carolina area or to support activities within the Anderson County area.

• Preference will be given to libraries, churches, universities, and colleges.
• Grants for capital or special purposes will be preferred over grants for general or operational use.
• Priority will be given to grants that will be “matched” by funds from other sources.

Requirements

• To be eligible, organizations must qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• The programs and services of the applicant must be consistent with the Foundation’s mission and values.
• The benefits of the grant must have a measurable impact within the Anderson County, South Carolina area and must benefit a substantial number of residents.
• All applicants must have the financial ability to sustain the funded program or project on a continuing basis.
• If available, applicants must provide an audited financial statement for the most recent complete fiscal year. The audited financial statement must be uploaded within the online grant application form.

Limitations

The foundation typically does not fund requests for:

• Annual appeals or membership drives
• Unrestricted endowment funds
• Operating expenses of established organizations
• Debt retirement
• Grants to individuals

It is the policy of the Foundation not to authorize public announcements regarding the details of a grant without its permission. However, the Foundation does not object to its name being included in a listing of donors as long as such list does not reference the specific amount of the grant.

Average giving

Average grant size: $5,000 to $15,000
Average number of grants per year: 15
Average total giving per year: $175,000

Annual application period and deadlines

Applications are accepted year-round, but must be submitted by April 1 to be reviewed at the spring grant meeting that generally occurs in May, or by September 15 to be reviewed at the fall grant meeting that generally occurs in October.

Communications

Applicants will receive an automated email confirming their submission. Spring grant decisions are generally communicated by June, and fall grant decisions are generally communicated by November for applications received by the deadline.

Required agreements and reports

Progress reports are required for all funded projects. The progress report deadlines coincide with the grant application deadlines of April 1 and September 15. Progress reports must be submitted upon the sooner of project completion or by the next 6 month deadline of April 1 or September 15 after the payment is received. For ongoing projects, annual progress reports should be submitted until the project is complete.

About the Foundation

The Gambrill Foundation was created on November 18, 1966 by Anne J. Gambrill of Anderson County, South Carolina in honor of her parents and to address the charitable needs of the Anderson County, South Carolina area. Anne served as Co-Trustee of the Foundation until her death on December 27, 1991.

Anne J. Gambrill was an only child who was raised in a lovely home in Anderson. As a child, Anne suffered from the dreaded poliomyelitis “polio” which left her with restricted mobility. However, she did not allow her disability to keep her from thriving in life. She maintained a vibrant social life and pursued her interests. Anne was educated at Agnes Scott College, and she was involved in numerous community activities.

Anne was not disheartened by the progression of her disability, but she used her challenges to help others. For example, she built an enclosed heated swimming pool to help treat the arthritis that later developed from her polio illness. She used the pool personally, but she also allowed children to use it to help treat their pain and illnesses. Anne was not only a philanthropist, but a humanitarian as well.