Hughes Investments
ELEVATE UPSTATE Grants InitiativeAn annual grant program that provides initial funding for community-based programs that promote vibrancy
Ten at the Top, through a funding commitment from Phil Hughes and Hughes Investments Inc., has established the Hughes Investments Vibrancy Initiative: ELEVATE UPSTATE Grants. 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. For the 2025 grant cycle, three grants of up to $5,000 each (total of $15,000) will be awarded to entities including neighborhood associations, civic- or community-based organizations, non-profit organizations or local governments that are committed to developing and implementing programs designed to increase local vibrancy in communities within the Upstate. One of the three grants will be dedicated for a project that will be hosted or completed at the Bridgeway Station location
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must be located in and do their work within one of the ten Upstate counties: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, or Union. Successful proposals for projects funded by ELEVATE UPSTATE (EU) should be able to clearly demonstrate how the implementation of the initiative that they propose will benefit and provide vibrancy in the local community. These proposals may seek to produce a physical result, such as a mural, sculpture or signage that will increase the vibrancy and sense of place within a community, or implement the first of a reoccurring or annual event or program that helps grow vibrancy within a community. Click the button below for more details about grant parameters and interest form.
More information regarding all the Elevate Upstate Grant opportunities will be discussed at the upcoming Grant Workshop on July 24, 2025 at Bridgeway Station. Register Today!
2025 ELEVATE UPSTATE GRANT CYCLE
On Tuesday, July 1st, 2025 the application process for the Hughes Investments Elevate Upstate Grants officially opens. The deadline for interest forms is on Friday, August 9th, 2025. The deadline for full applications will be Friday, September 12th, 2025.
Join us for an Elevate Upstate Grant Workshop on July 24 at Bridgeway Station.
Register here!
Finalists will be required to present their projects at our annual Celebrating Successes event on November 19, 2025.
2024 Grant Recipients
Please Play Me Pianos
Many children have never touched a real piano nor felt the ring of a note that perfectly reflects their touch. Young adults who’ve moved far from childhood pianos can reconnect with music, while those without sizable or permanent housing can rediscover a long-forgotten passion—or find a new one. Music education is crucial for children and helps improve mathematical abilities, while playing any instrument is one of the best ways to keep a brain healthy. Please Play Me Pianos will place pre-loved pianos—painted by local artists—throughout Greenville for the public to play, see, hear, sing to, dance to, and enjoy. We currently maintain 6 pianos with plans for 2 more at GSP International Airport in October and Dapper Dog in November. We’re exploring placements at Judson Mill, Bridgeway Station, the Greenville Zoo, TCMU, Simpsonville, and more.
Williamston’s United Talent Show
The purpose of Envision Williamston, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, is to enhance our community identity and heritage by working with both the public and private sectors of our town to restore vitality and ensure economic stability through concentrated efforts in organization, promotion, design and business development. The Caroline Community Center, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, dates back to 1870 when it was established as a school for Black children in Williamston. At that time, a group of Black community members turned the facility into a community center. As with many towns and cities, there is a cultural divide. Our first step is coming together to create a joint Talent Show that incorporates all people, all races, and from all backgrounds. It is for this reason that we are joining forces to host the first annual “Williamston’s United” talent show. .
B3 Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony
*Bridgeway Station Grant recipient
Bridging is the term that Girl Scouts use to identify the work that a girl or troop does to get ready to move to the next level. Bridging is a beloved Girl Scout tradition that honors girls’ achievements throughout the year and celebrates their “crossing the bridge” to the next Girl Scout level. Each spring individual troops, or service units (a grouping of troops) perform a celebratory bridging ceremony. Our largest service unit #6364 conducts an annual bridging ceremony and celebration that attracts over 250 girls, volunteers, parents, grandparents and friends to our councils treasured Camp Wistagoman in Anderson. Service unit# 6364 represents troops located in the Greenville, Mauldin and Simpsonville areas. In collaboration with the council, the Girls Scouts and volunteer leaders of service unit #6364 desire to invite all SCCM-MM troops, families and friends to celebrate the 2025 “B3” Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony.