Foundation Awards $765,125 in Grants

The Mary Black Foundation announced that it awarded $765,125 in grants to 17 nonprofit organizations serving Spartanburg County.

The Grantees

• Spartanburg County Public Libraries was awarded $56,700 to purchase LENA technology and will implement the LENA Start and LENA Home programs with local community partners. LENA uses a small wearable device, often referred to as a talk pedometer, combined with cloud-based software to deliver detailed feedback that helps adults make proven, sustainable increases in interactive talk with children.
• EMERGE Family Therapy was awarded $50,000 to fund one part-time play therapist position and create a family therapy externship at Meeting Street Academy, adding family therapy services to existing play therapy services for preschool children.
• Spartanburg Academic Movement was awarded $90,000 to guide and direct the transition and expansion of developmental screening systems to Spartanburg County First Steps.
• Children’s Museum of the Upstate was awarded $73,200 to expand early childhood programming at the museum’s Spartanburg location.
• Spartanburg School District 7 was awarded $124,625 to fund a walking path at the new Spartanburg High School. The outdoor space is being created to serve multiple uses for students, staff, and the community.
• Pineview Hills Neighborhood Association was awarded $70,100 to re-build their community playground.
• Town of Duncan was awarded $48,000 to fund a Recreation Coordinator Position and a community garden.
• Boys and Girls Clubs of the Upstate was awarded $40,000 for after school and summer programs at 7 elementary schools in Spartanburg County, specifically to support health and wellness programs.
• Christmas in Action was awarded $18,000 to construct accessibility ramps for seniors, those with disabilities, or those who are otherwise disadvantaged
  so that they will be able to enter and exit their homes safely and with limited assistance.
• City of Spartanburg was awarded $20,000 to purchase a drug incinerator system that will be utilized by the Spartanburg Police Department as well as other police agencies and community partners.
• GoForth Recovery was awarded $25,000 to hire a peer support specialist who will provide screenings, referrals, and programs open to clients as well as the broader community.
• Mobile Meals of Spartanburg County was awarded $40,000 to purchase a combination oven/steamer to replace a 16+ year old commercial oven and 2 steamers.
• SAFE Homes Rape Crisis Coalition was awarded $20,000 for a victim advocate who will provide crisis counseling, personal advocacy, and supportive services at the emergency shelter location.
• SC Waterfowl Association was awarded $10,000 to provide students and chaperones in Spartanburg County the opportunity to attend Camp Leopold.
• St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic was awarded $40,000 to continue serving the uninsured population at a level consistent with the need in Spartanburg County.
• The Charles Lea Center Foundation was awarded $10,500 to place basic health monitoring and assessment equipment in each of the Charles Lea Center’s sixty group homes.
• United Way of the Piedmont was awarded $29,000 for a Community Resource Coordinator  to help vulnerable Spartanburg County families create a pathway to financial stability.

Molly Talbot-Metz, President & CEO for Mary Black Foundation said,

“The Foundation is proud to support so many terrific organizations working to improve health, wellness, and success throughout Spartanburg County. Together, we will achieve great outcomes for our community.”

To learn more about how to apply for a grant, visit www.maryblackfoundation.org.