The City of Charleston has opened the application period for its 2026 State Accommodations Tax (SAT) and Community Assistance Funding grant programs. Non-profit organizations and public agencies are invited to apply for funding to support eligible programs that serve the citizens of Charleston.
Applications are due no later than Friday, August 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered.
The State Accommodations Tax grants are funded through revenues collected from a statewide tax on accommodations, and must, by law, be used for specific tourism-related purposes. These include:
- Promotion of arts and cultural events
- Tourism marketing and promotion
- Operation of facilities for cultural and civic activities
Each year, these grants are awarded by City Council based on recommendations from the Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee, in accordance with state statute.
The Community Assistance Funding program supports nonprofit organizations providing direct community services in areas such as:
- Arts and culture
- Youth and community development
- Education
- Health and human services
- Environmental programming
- Public safety initiatives
To qualify, applicants must either be located within the City of Charleston or demonstrate that their programs directly serve City residents.
Applications and program guides are available online at: www.charleston-sc.gov/123/