Grants

Grants Program

The Arras Foundation envisions the communities we serve as places where all people join together to build on community assets for current and future generations, and where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

We house two main grant programs, one supporting education initiatives in our public schools and one supporting transformative community programming. Horizon Education Grants are awarded on a rolling, monthly basis throughout the school year and are decided by a youth philanthropy board comprised of local high school and university students. We make a small number of Healthy Community Grants throughout the year to eligible 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations.

We encourage organizations to diversify funding for all projects, work in cooperation with others, and focus on long-term sustainable transformation.

Lindsay Pettus Greenway

Community Health Priority Indicator Areas

The Foundation focuses giving in our footprint of Lancaster County, Fort Lawn, and Great Falls, South Carolina. In 2016, the Foundation launched 11 indicators to measure the health of the communities we serve. In 2025, we updated the original 11 to reflect the following five areas that strengthen our community and that can be tracked over time through the Community Health Indicator Project.

Economic Vitality

We envision a thriving, inclusive, resilient local economy, and built environment that fosters innovation, sustainable growth, and opportunities for all residents to prosper.

Education

We envision a community that champions student achievement, invests in well-resourced schools, and promotes lifelong learning and development into capable, involved citizens.

Health

We envision a community where all residents have access to healthcare, healthy environments, and systems that support physical, mental, and social wellbeing.

Natural Environment

We envision a community that preserves its natural resources, maintains clean air and healthy ecosystems, and invests in conservation to protect the environment for current and future generations to enjoy.

Social & Cultural Wellbeing

We envision a vibrant community that is enriched by artistic, cultural, historic, civic, and recreational opportunities where residents feel welcome, supported, safe, and like they belong.