Junior League Grand Strand (JLGS) is, at its foundation, a training organization. Our skilled volunteers focus on making a lasting, measurable impact on the Grand Strand area by partnering with community organizations who are selected annually by our members through a formal proposal process. Project proposals can be made for funding (up to $2,500) and volunteers for specific events and programs within your organization. The formal proposal process consists of a thorough review by JLGS members serving on our Community Partner Committee. A member of JLGS may contact you to discuss the proposed project in greater detail or to arrange a site visit to your organization and/or site location.

The Junior League of the Grand Strand is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. With our focus on women and children, our four pillars address areas of the greatest need for families within the Grand Strand: Youth Advocacy, Health Initiatives, Food and Nutrition Security, and Housing Advocacy.

Applicants must complete the online application Form and submit the following completed documents via email before May 1.

1. Application: Via the Application Form Above
2. Attachment #1: Copy of the organization’s most recent audited financial statement
3. Attachment #2: Thorough budget encompassing all aspects of the proposed project

Please email both of the above attachments to communitypartners@grandstrand.jl.org in addition to submitting this application form. Please put “Community Partner Application Attachments” in the email subject line.

Applications are accepted annually from nonprofits in the Grand Strand. The proposed project should:

1. Help support women and children through our four pillars addressing areas of the greatest need for families within the Grand Strand: Youth Advocacy, Health Initiatives, Food and Nutrition Security, and Housing Advocacy.
2. Identify a project outcome that includes either:
   • Monetary contribution from the JLGS; or
   • Both volunteer participation from JLGS members and a monetary contribution from the JLGS (not to exceed $2,500);
3. Involve well-defined volunteer opportunities that will be performed and funded within a specific time frame, commencing no earlier than August 1, and ending no later than May 15.
4. Allow for collaboration between the JLGS and one or more registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in good standing with the Office of the South Carolina Secretary of State.

The JLGS will evaluate project proposals based on the following criteria:

1. Commitment of an organization to supporting one of our four pillars (Youth Advocacy, Health Initiatives, Food and Nutrition Security, and Housing Advocacy on the Grand Strand).
2. For projects requesting volunteer support, the description of volunteer tasks and level of commitment (number of hours), days and times volunteers are needed. Please note our members are available for volunteering at various times, but projects with a weekday evening or weekend day volunteer component have been historically more successful.
3. Clarity of the goals and objectives of the project, including a timeline outlining tasks necessary to accomplish project goals and objectives.
4. Strength of the plan for measuring the impact of the project.
5. Depth of understanding about what the JLGS can bring to the project.
6. Demonstration of past experience collaborating with nonprofits, including the JLGS, if applicable.
7. Strength of description in regard to how requested funding will be used to fulfill project goals and objectives. The committee will consider how funding the project fits into a total amount of funding available for all requests.
8. Projects selected to be included are subject to approval by a majority of members, having sufficient resources for volunteer placement and aligning with the criteria set forth by Junior League Grand Strand.

Applications are due by May 1.

Follow-up questions or visits will be arranged by the members of Junior League Grand Strand, if necessary. Organizations submitting project proposals for the August 1-May 15 league year will receive written notice from JLGS regarding our decision by ~June 1. Selected projects will begin around August 1, and will end no later than May 15 of each league year.

*Timeline is subject to change.

Any questions about the application may be submitted to the JLGS by email communitypartners@grandstrand.jl.org.