Champions of the Environment
By doing your part for the environment, you could win $500 and a 30-second TV commercial!
- Up to 10 Champions of the Environment grant winners are chosen each school year. Winners are selected based on the quality of their environmental projects.
- Projects must address one or more of the following: prevention or reduction of pollution in the air, water or land; waste reduction; restoration, preservation or enhancement of natural areas; water or energy efficiency. Projects must also educate the community and make a lasting difference to the environment.
- In April, all Champions compete to be named the Overall Champions of the Environment.
- K-12 students, their teachers and environmental educators carrying out an environmental project in South Carolina.
- One student or a student group of any size.
- A cash award of $500 to use for their project
- A 30-second TV commercial about the project
- Their project highlighted on the Champions’ Web site
- Champions of the Environment T-shirts and giveaways
- A chance to win more money in the Overall Awards
Announcing Champions’ Merit Awards! Yearly, up to ten merit awards will go to “runner-up” projects that do not receive a Champions grant award. A Champions Merit Award is a cash-only award of no greater than $250. No additional application is needed. Everyone who applies for a Champions’ Grant Award is eligible to receive a merit award. |
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- Download the Champions Grant Information Sheet (pdf) to review the details about the grant. Then download the Champions of the Environment Grant Award Application (Word Format - Get the free Word Viewer).
- If you have any questions or have trouble accessing the Information Sheet or Grant Award Application email the Champions’ coordinator or call 803-898-4394.
Application deadlines: |
Notification of winners |
| September 15 | October 1 |
| January 15 | February 1 |
- Fill out the application and tell us about your environmental project. Be sure to supply all the requested information. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Send the application so that it will be received by September 15 for an October award or January 15 for a February award.
- If your application reaches us after the posted deadline you will be notified and you will be considered during the next award cycle.
- Applicants who are not chosen to receive a grant award are encouraged to revise their application and apply to Champions of the Environment again.
Grant award applications are evaluated using the following criteria:
- Benefits to the environment – short term and long term
- Student education and involvement
- Outreach to school, parents and/or the community
- Suitable use for funds
Based on the quality of the applications received, the Champions’ selection committee reserves the right to award fewer than 10 grants on an annual basis.
You must have a project to apply, but if you need an idea:
- Visit the Grant Award winner’s page to see what others have done, and
- Visit "Doing Your Part!" for some project ideas and steps for a successful environmental project.
Bureau of Water . Phone: (803) 898-4300 . Fax: (803) 898-4215 . Contact Us