Applications open for community grant funding.

Organizations that offer community-based programs and services will soon be able to apply for financial support through a Richland County grant program.

On Tuesday, Richland County Council voted to make $300,000 in community impact grants available. The measure is part of an overall effort to encourage organizations and agencies to offer innovative and needed services that enhance county residents' quality of life, according to a news release.

Organizations can apply for up to $15,000 for a single year of funding or up to $30,000 over three years.

"The community impact grant program is designed to use scarce public resources most efficiently and responsibly to support a broad range of local community needs such as arts and culture, social and health services, education and recreation," said Abhijit Deshpande, the county's director of budget management.

Proposed projects must be a service-type activity outlined in the program's mission and long-range plans, an activity that provides opportunities for underserved populations in the county, or an activity that offers solutions to resolve or prevent individual, family or community problems.

"Council and county staff...