Foothills Community Foundation Celebrates Milestones and Looks Ahead
The 2023–2024 fiscal year marked a defining chapter in the Foothills Community Foundation’s 25-year history—one that reflected record growth, enduring generosity, and a renewed commitment to our mission of making philanthropy local, accessible, and lasting.
Legacy and Growth in Motion
This year, we surpassed $40 million in total assets and crossed the milestone of $30 million in lifetime grant distributions. With $3.5 million in grants awarded in 2024 alone, Foothills is now one of the top grantmaking organizations in South Carolina.
We also transitioned to a new headquarters at 100 Foundation Drive and launched our Fundholder Portal, a secure and modern online tool designed to help donors track giving, recommend grants, and stay connected to their charitable goals with ease.
Honoring Philanthropic Leaders
We celebrated the life and impact of Dr. Bob and Kristi Austin, recipients of the 2023 Robert M. Rainey Philanthropy Award, for their decades of service to Anderson County and their pioneering efforts with the Anderson Free Clinic.
We also remembered and paid tribute to the legacy of community champions Fred Foster, Irvin Cauthen, and Dr. Bob Austin, whose leadership and vision helped shape the Foundation’s enduring values.
Scholarships that Spark Hope
Thanks to our generous fundholders, we awarded dozens of scholarships totaling more than $66,000 this year. Among them was the inaugural Morgan Horne Memorial Scholarship, which supports young female golfers from T.L. Hanna and Westside High Schools in pursuit of higher education.
A Vision for the Future
As we step into our next chapter, we remain focused on our founding mission: to connect generous people with meaningful causes in Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties. Whether through a donor-advised fund, a memorial scholarship, or a planned gift through the William Law Watkins Legacy Society, the Foundation exists to make giving easy, impactful, and enduring.
💙 Thank you for being part of our story—and for building a brighter future for our community.
Click on the link below to view our 2023-2024 Annual Report of the Foothills Community Foundation.