Hughes Investments Elevate Upstate

Grant Workshop 

Mary Anne Goodman from the Ninety Six Mill Village Association and Rick Green from the Upper Savannah Council of Governments about how they partnered to help a small community apply for the grant to fund a community movie night, Since 2013, Hughes Investments has provided $80,000 in funds to 24 local communities as part of the ELEVATE UPSTATE Community Vibrancy Grant program. The purpose of the ELEVATE UPSTATE Grants is to identify and provide initial funding support for community-based programs that promote community and economic vibrancy in local areas across the Upstate. 

Last year’s winners were Ninety Six Movie Night at the Park and the First Annual Charles Townes Art & Technology Experiment. Past winners include public art projects, interactive outdoor education, downtown music, a food truck plaza, and more. The key element is that the proposed initiative will increase community vibrancy and sense of place and benefit the community as a whole.

The 2019 grant period opened on June 1st with an initial interest form due by August 1st and the completed applications due by September 16th. This workshop will guide applicants through the process, with panelists to include past winners. 

You’ll hear from Mary Anne Goodman from the Ninety Six Mill Village Association and Rick Green from the Upper Savannah Council of Governments about how they partnered to help a small community apply for the grant to fund a community movie night. You’ll also hear from Coie Switzer and Curtiss Hunter from the Union Environmental Art and Music Festival, who were runners up and received a matching grant—and how they got the support they needed to launch their event a year ahead of schedule.

Thanks to Hughes Investments for their generous support of these community vibrancy initiatives throughout the Upstate!