The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Founded in 1972 through funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), SC Humanities is dedicated to developing a sense of community through educational and entertaining programs and partnerships. It awards grants for high quality public programs including documentaries, reading and discussion programs, museum and library exhibits, lectures and special conferences and presents special humanities initiatives such as the annual humanities festival, the Museum on Main Street Traveling Exhibition program from the Smithsonian Institution and The Governor's Awards in the Humanities.

Among the dozens of Lowcountry organizations and events that have been assisted by SC Humanities are the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor; USC Beaufort; the Verdier House; the Santa Elena Foundation; the Beaufort County Historical Society; and the Beaufort County Library.

SC Humanities is a 501(c)3 organization governed by a 22-member volunteer Board of Directors, which includes Mr. Keyserling. Its work is supported by the NEH and individual, corporate, foundation and institutional donors.