Leadership PROGRAM Grants

The Foundation for Leadership Education is committed to supporting local educational institutions who practice leadership development programming. Such programming is encouraged through leadership grants. These grants are distributed to schools and community programs in Beaufort County who demonstrate a commitment to specific programs, techniques, and/or curriculum that have the potential to sustain the development and practice of leadership skills. Schools in Beaufort County who possess a leadership program may apply. Grants will be awarded annually.

Interested recipients may apply online only, please use the link below to apply. All applications must be completed by November 15th of each year. Electronic notifications will be sent affirming or denying eligibility by December 2nd.

The 2024 - 2025 Leadership Grant Application is now CLOSED for this term. We invite you to apply for 2026 Leadership Grant funding in Fall of 2025.

If you have any questions, please email contact@lowcountryleaders.com

2024 - 2025 Leadership Grant Recipient

Robert Smalls Leadership Academy

“Leader In Me” Program

The Leader In Me Program provides Robert Smalls Leadership Academy with the vision and language to lead the school in a way that addresses all areas of development. As each child discovers and develops his or her unique gifts and talents, they are given opportunities to lead. As leaders, they become active, engaged partners in their own education and their self-confidence, responsibility, and initiative grows. The children quickly understand the benefits of different gifts and talents; they learn to listen to new ideas, work together to achieve results, and motivate one another to be the best. The Foundation for Leadership Education is proud to help support Principal Bradley Tarrance as he facilitates this meaningful program at Robert Smalls Leadership Academy.

2023 - 2024 Leadership Grant Recipient

Beaufort Junior Leadership Program

Beaufort Junior Leadership is a program offered by Clemson University Cooperative Extension that is dedicated to developing high school Sophomores and Juniors into young leaders. This program provides training in the areas of personal and leadership development, networking, communication, financial management, and civic engagement. Youth participate in hands-on projects that develop essential life skills along with learning by example from local community members. Students receive special permission from their schools to meet once a month during the school day to focus on a variety of leadership projects using a learn-by-doing approach to help them gain the knowledge and skills to be responsible, productive and contributing members of our community.

2022-2023 Grant Recipient

Beaufort Academy’s Middle School Mindset and Leadership Program

The Mindset and Leadership Program through Beaufort Academy starts in Middle School with a primary emphasis on self development, social, and emotional learning. Areas of focus include: self awareness, self-management, social awareness, building positive relationships, and responsible decision making. This program also has an intense focus on leading with gratitude, empathy, and compassion. Serving others and the Lowcountry community is a key component to this growing program.

2021- 2022 Grant Recipients

Okatie Elementary School “GEMS” (Girls Excelling in Math and Science)

I just wanted to take a second to thank you and your organization for your monetary contributions to our Okatie GEMS Club. We had a wonderful year full of adventures, thanks to your generous donation. We completed an owl pellet dissection, worked hard as paleontologists, made circuits with copper tape, and even learned how to turn a piece of cardboard into a controller for our computers with a new Makey Makey kit!

At the end of our time together, students learned about minerals and used the analogy of how the beauty is created through pressure to know that life can be difficult but that those challenges can be used to make us better people for tomorrow! They all got to then break open a geode and take it home with them as their souvenir of the time we spent together.

It could not have been possible without your grant money! Thank you for all you do to help us all raise leaders in the Lowcountry!