HHI Community Market accepting 2026 nonprofit applications

The Hilton Head Community Market is accepting applications until Dec. 1 from local nonprofit leaders wishing to have their organizations considered for one of the month-long spots from February through December as a featured nonprofit.

Selected nonprofits are awarded a free booth at the Shelter Cove Community Park location every Saturday of the month during the market’s business hours from 9:30am to 12:30pm. There, they have the opportunity to set up a tent and a display table where they can welcome visitors, provide organization literature, and explain their mission.

Representatives from these organizations are expected to be present for at least three of the Saturday markets during the month they are featured, and are encouraged to attend all of them, excepting cases of dangerous weather or other unforeseeable circumstances.

Social media engagement by the nonprofit and cross-promotion among participants is encouraged. The featured nonprofit receives 50 percent of the amount taken in from vendor fees during the month and may receive additional money from donations. Each featured organization is guaranteed a minimum of $700, but many participants value the promotional opportunity at least as much as the money.

The nonprofits are a mixture of seasoned organizations with several appearances at the market and newcomers introducing themselves. Among the newest participants this season were All About Cats, The Mary Green Chorale, and Lowcountry Legal Volunteers.

Fifteen applications were submitted for the 2025 season. Market co-founder Andrea Hattler-Bramson explains what the organizers are looking for in an applicant.

“We want to see how they impact and work with and for the community,” she said.
Preference is given to organizations located in Beaufort and Jasper counties and not nationally affiliated.

Prospective participants must fill out the application on the Hilton Head Community Market website.

Those selected for a nonprofit spot on the 2026 market calendar, which runs from February through December, will be notified of their selection by email no later than January 15, 2026.

Channing Heiss is a freelance writer and a member of the Beaufort County disAbilities Coalition.