Innovation & Community Education Grant

Purpose, Intent, Policy, and Procedure

The purpose of the grant is to promote community education and innovation in beekeeping throughout South Carolina. The program will provide modest financial support to individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community groups pursuing projects that increase public knowledge of pollinators or improve beekeeping practices.

This initiative aligns with SCBA’s mission to promote responsible beekeeping, expand public awareness of pollinator health, and support innovation that strengthens the beekeeping community.

Purpose

The purpose of the Community Education & Innovation Grant Program is to:

• Encourage public understanding of honey bees and pollinators among the general public
• Support innovative approaches to sustainable beekeeping
• Expand outreach opportunities that increase awareness of pollinator health
• Promote research, demonstration projects, and new methods that benefit beekeepers
• Increase visibility of SCBA as a leader in pollinator advocacy and education

This program is intended to complement existing SCBA youth education grant efforts by focusing specifically on adult learners, community groups, and the broader public audience.

Program Overview

Grant Scope

Grants will support projects focused on one or both of the following areas:

Public Education

Projects that increase awareness or understanding of honey bees, pollinators, and beekeeping practices among the general public.

This program is not intended to duplicate SCBA’s youth education grant initiatives, but rather to expand outreach to adult audiences and community members.

Examples may include:

• Workshops or presentations for community groups
• Educational events for gardeners, farmers, or landowners
• Pollinator habitat awareness initiatives
• Educational exhibits at fairs, libraries, or public venues
• Printed or digital educational materials for the general public
• Programs supporting beginner beekeepers
• Outreach through civic organizations or environmental groups

Innovation in Beekeeping

Projects that explore new approaches, tools, or methods that improve beekeeping practices or pollinator health. Examples include:

• Research or pilot programs
• Equipment development or testing
• Data collection related to hive health
• Methods for improving colony sustainability
• Technology applications supporting beekeeping management

Funding Structure

• SCBA Board will allocate funds for the upcoming grant cycle in the last quarter of the calendar year, as per the policy of other grant programs.
• Individual grant amounts may vary based on project scope and available funds
• Grants with a matching funds component will earn a heaver ranking in evaluation, in an effort to engage community ownership and participation in grant goals.

Eligibility

Applicants may include:

• Individual SCBA members
• Local beekeeping associations
• Business Entities
• Nonprofit organizations
• Community groups
• Researchers or students
• Agricultural extension collaborators

Projects must directly support education or innovation in beekeeping or pollinator stewardship.

Selection Criteria
of Research Grant Recipients

Applicants will submit a brief proposal including:

• Project title
• Applicant name and affiliation
• Description of the project
• Expected impact or benefit to the beekeeping community
• Timeline
• Budget request
• Plan for sharing results or outcomes with SCBA members
• Any matching funds component form other resources, be it private, corporate, community or government based.

Applications may be reviewed annually or on a scheduled cycle determined by SCBA leadership.

Evaluation Criteria

Grant applications may be evaluated based on:

• Relevance to education or innovation in beekeeping
• Feasibility within a one-year timeframe
• Potential benefit to the broader beekeeping community
• Creativity or originality
• Responsible use of funds
• Matching funds (encouraged but not required, will provide preferential rating during proposal evaluation if there is a degree of other support – does not have to be one for one match)
• Potential for measurable outcomes

Preference may be given to projects that demonstrate clear community impact or potential for replication.

Reporting Requirements

Grant recipients will provide a brief report within 60 days of project completion including:

• Summary of activities
• Outcomes or results
• Lessons learned
• Photos or documentation (if applicable)
• Suggestions for future improvements

SCBA may share project summaries through newsletters, meetings, or online communications.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Innovation & Community Education Grant Committee

• Receive funds allocated annually in the third quarter by the Board of Directors to be deposited into the designated grant account.
• Develop guidelines for grant proposal applications.
• Receive written proposal applications for funding requests.
• Evaluate and recommend proposal applications and funding requests for approval by the Board of Directors.
• Communicate the approval or denial of funding requests to applicants.
• Dispense allocated research funds at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
• Provide the Board of Directors and the Association membership an annual report of projects approved along with a financial report.

Annual Grant Process Timeline

Grant Application Form

Innovation & Community Education Grant Application Form

Click here For Youth Education Grants