There is established in the State Treasury a fund separate and distinct from the general fund of the State and all other funds entitled the South Carolina Military Family Relief Fund. Earnings on this fund must be credited to it and a balance in the fund at the end of a fiscal year does not lapse to the general fund of the State but is instead carried forward in the fund to the succeeding fiscal year and used for the same purposes. The fund is not subject to mid-year budget reductions. Revenues of the fund include amounts donated to it pursuant to the state individual income tax return as provided in § 12-6-5060, other grants or donations made to the fund, regardless of source, and amounts as may be appropriated to the fund by the General Assembly. The department may award grants from the fund in the manner and for the purposes provided in this article. Grants awarded may not at any time exceed the fund balance at the time of the grant.