The South Carolina Nurses Foundation, Inc. was established in 1974 as a nonprofit organization to promote high standards of health care by facilitating the advancement of nursing through rewards, grants, and scholarship.  The original charter states that the Foundation was established for charitable, scientific, literary, and educational purposes.  Through the promotion of nursing and the encouragement of excellence in nursing practice, the Foundation's major goal is to improve the quality of health care to all South Carolina citizens by advancing the profession of nursing in the state.

Every initiative considered for action by SCNF is measured against its capacity to promote high standards of health care through the nursing profession.

The SCNF is affiliated with the South Carolina Nurses Association (SCNA).  The Board of Directors of SCNA constitutes the membership of the Foundation along with the members of the SCNF Board of Trustees.  The day-to-day management of Foundation activities is carried out by the Board of Trustees elected by the membership.  SCNF bylaws require the Registered Nurse members of the Board of Trustees must also be SCNA members.  The Trustees strive to enlarge the asset base of the Foundation and to distribute resources wisely to promote high standards of nursing and health care in South Carolina.

The Foundation is supported largely through gifts and donations to find the various scholarship and award programs.