Business7
Women's Business Center of South Carolina
Statewide center at Columbia College supporting women entrepreneurs and business professionals through education, networking, and resources at every stage of business growth.
CLIMB Fund
South Carolina's largest nonprofit microlender — provides capital and financing to entrepreneurs turned away by traditional banks, with over 40 years of history.
SBA South Carolina — Women, Minority & Veteran Resources
Federal Small Business Administration resources for South Carolina entrepreneurs, including funding programs, counseling, and certifications for women-owned businesses.
Benedict College Business Development Center
Business skills training and a small business incubator supporting low-to-moderate income and minority entrepreneurs, with mentoring and below-market office space.
Greater Women's Business Council (GWBC)
Regional certifying body for the national WBENC Women-Owned Business Enterprise certification, covering South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina.
SC Commerce — Incubators & Accelerators Directory
State directory of business incubator and accelerator programs across South Carolina for early-stage entrepreneurs.
YWCA Greater Charleston — WE 360
Workshop series designed to help women-owned, Black-owned, and minority-owned businesses overcome barriers in entrepreneurship. Covers marketing, finance, business planning, and accessing capital. Free to attend.
Funding & Grants3
Amber Grant for Women (WomensNet)
National program awarding three $10,000 grants to women-owned businesses every month, plus $50,000 year-end grants. Open to pre-revenue startups and existing businesses.
South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC)
Free, confidential business consulting for startups and existing businesses — business plans, financing options, and operations support, with locations across the state.
SC Division of Small and Minority Business Contracting and Certification (SMBCC)
State agency that certifies women- and minority-owned businesses, connecting them to South Carolina state contracting and procurement opportunities.
Mentorship6
SCORE South Carolina
Free 1-on-1 business mentoring from experienced volunteer mentors, plus workshops — 6 chapters covering Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, and more.
South Carolina Women's Council
Statewide initiative connecting women with industry mentors, sponsors, and allies through summits, workshops, and networking events.
Lowcountry Business Accelerator
Eight-month program (Charleston Metro Chamber) pairing entrepreneurs with experienced mentors and peers to help scale their business.
EforAll Lowcountry
Free 12-week business accelerator offering immersive training, hands-on mentorship, and an extended professional network for entrepreneurs.
South Carolina Women in Higher Education (SCWHE)
Professional association supporting mentorship and advancement for women working in South Carolina colleges and universities.
WREN — Leadership Training & Mentorship
Individual consultations and structured training helping women map a path toward appointed or elected office, via WREN's acquisition of SC Women in Leadership.
Health & Wellness7
MUSC Health Women's Health
Academic health system offering full women's health services statewide, including OB/GYN care ranked #16 nationally (2025–26 U.S. News & World Report).
CareSouth Carolina — Women's Services
Community health centers offering well-woman gynecology, annual exams, family planning, STI screening, and breast cancer screening referrals.
Waverly Women's Health Center
Women's health center operated by Cooperative Health, offering family nurse practitioner-led care in Columbia.
NAMI Piedmont Tri-County
Local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness offering support groups, education, and referrals for mental health.
Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center
Emergency and ongoing mental health care including psychiatric urgent care and a 24/7 crisis response team.
SC Department of Public Health — Women's Health & Wellness
State public health resources on well-woman visits, screenings, and preventive care guidance for South Carolina residents.
Planned Parenthood South Atlantic
Women's health care including birth control, STI/HIV testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, cancer screenings, and reproductive health services. Sliding scale fees; low- or no-cost care available for eligible patients.
Legal & Financial6
South Carolina Legal Services
Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income South Carolinians, including domestic abuse cases, orders of protection, housing, and family law.
LawHelp.org/SC
Self-help legal portal (run by SC Legal Services) with free forms, guides, and online intake for divorce, custody, and protection orders.
Hopeful Horizons — Legal Program
Free legal representation in Family Court for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault — custody, divorce, and orders of protection.
OriginSC — Financial & Housing Counseling
Free financial coaching, credit and debt counseling, and a financial literacy program specifically for domestic violence survivors.
SC Access to Justice Commission — Legal Resource Finder
Free online tool that matches you with legal aid organizations and self-help resources based on your income, location, and legal issue.
SC Victim Assistance Network — Legal Department
No-cost victim rights consultations and legal guidance for crime victims, including domestic violence survivors.
Community & Nonprofit11
WREN (Women's Rights & Empowerment Network)
Statewide nonprofit advancing gender justice in South Carolina through advocacy, education, and research. In 2026, WREN merged with SC Women in Leadership, adding public-office leadership training to its programs.
SC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA)
Statewide coalition of 22 member nonprofits. Does not provide direct crisis services itself — connects you to your local member program. If in immediate danger, call 911.
Safe Harbor
Emergency shelter, counseling, case management, and legal support for survivors of domestic abuse and their children.
Sistercare
Domestic violence services including emergency shelter, counseling, and a 24/7 crisis line for the Midlands region.
Safe Passage
24-hour emergency shelter, crisis line, advocacy, and counseling for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
My Sister's House
Emergency shelter and support services empowering domestic violence victims and their children to live free from abuse.
Visions of Women (VOW)
Raises awareness about domestic violence and promotes healthy relationships through education, outreach, and counseling services for youth and college students.
Project R.E.S.T.
Trauma-informed, survivor-centered support for individuals impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault across Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties. Services include crisis intervention, emergency shelter, counseling, advocacy, and free legal support.
Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault
Crisis intervention, emergency shelter, counseling, legal and criminal justice advocacy for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault across 8 counties — Florence, Darlington, Marion, Dillon, Chesterfield, Marlboro, Williamsburg, and Sumter.
I AM VOICES, Inc.
Empowers survivors of sexual violence by providing trauma-informed services including safe housing, therapeutic counseling, and life skills training. Committed to serving marginalized communities across South Carolina.
SHARE — Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources
Nonprofit community action agency serving low- and moderate-income residents across upstate SC since 1966. Programs include the Circles poverty-resolution initiative, LIHEAP utility assistance, job training, and youth leadership.
Education8
SC Adult Education (GED / High School Diploma)
State-run adult education program helping South Carolinians earn a GED or high school diploma, plus career readiness credentials, statewide and free.
AAUW of South Carolina
Advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research, with 7 local branches across the state.
South Carolina Educational Fund (SCEF)
Renewable scholarships for South Carolina women attending an accredited SC college/university or Cottey College, funded by the SC Chapters of P.E.O.
Above & Beyond Math Tutoring
Free one-on-one math tutoring and test prep (ACT, SAT, GED, SC-Ready) for at-risk students.
Find Your Future SC — Adult Learners
State portal connecting adult learners to education and career-training pathways, from GED to workforce credentials.
Girl Scouts of South Carolina — Mountains to Midlands
Girl-focused programming including STEM badges, robotics, and leadership development for K-12 girls.
Dress for Success Columbia
Provides professional clothing, career coaching, and job retention support to help women thrive in the workforce. Referral required to receive clothing; career development programs open to all.
Dress for Success Charleston County
Free professional attire, career development workshops, and mentoring for women entering or returning to the workforce in the Charleston area. Referral required to access the boutique.
Childcare7
SC Child Care Resource & Referral (SC-CCRR)
Statewide referral service helping families find child care and navigate every financial assistance program available (scholarships, First Steps, Head Start, and more).
SC DSS Child Care Scholarship Program (ABC Voucher)
State child care tuition assistance for income-eligible working/studying families. Availability has fluctuated with funding — call SC CCR&R or your county DSS office to confirm current status before applying.
First Steps 4K
Free, full-day four-year-old kindergarten at 300+ partner child care centers and private schools. Enrolled families and siblings (ages 0-12) may also qualify for child care scholarships.
Head Start / Early Head Start South Carolina
Federally funded early childhood education and family support for children ages 0-5 from low-income families.
Carolina Community Actions — Head Start & Early Head Start
Head Start and Early Head Start programming for the Rock Hill / Upstate region.
First Five SC
Free online portal that connects families with children under 5 to multiple state and federal early childhood programs with a single application — including childcare assistance, home visiting, early intervention, and developmental screenings.
SHARE Head Start
Head Start early childhood program through SHARE providing comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and family support services to income-eligible children and families in upstate South Carolina.
Housing6
SC 211
Free, confidential 24/7 statewide helpline that connects you to housing, rental, utility, and emergency assistance programs by phone or text.
Palmetto Community Action Partnership (Palmetto CAP)
Emergency financial assistance (GEAP) for rent and eviction prevention, available once every 24 months per household.
Carolina Community Actions — Emergency Rental Assistance (GEAP)
Rental assistance up to $1,000 for households facing eviction, plus utility and other emergency financial assistance.
OriginSC — Eviction Prevention
HUD-certified housing counselors help plan for and prevent eviction, including budgeting and landlord negotiation support.
HUD South Carolina Housing Counseling
Federal housing counseling referral line — connects you with a HUD-approved counselor for rental, mortgage, or eviction-related advice. Multilingual assistance available.
SHARE — Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources
Community action agency offering emergency housing assistance, home repair programs, homeless services, and rent/utility support for low- and moderate-income families in upstate South Carolina.