Foundation Awards over $700,000 to Spartanburg Nonprofits

The Mary Black Foundation announced today that it awarded $709,000 in grants to 19 nonprofit organizations serving Spartanburg County. The majority of organizations will receive funds to support core operating expenses and projects that are responding to the impact of COVID-19 on our community.

Molly Talbot-Metz, President & CEO for Mary Black Foundation said, “The Foundation is pleased to be able to support so many critically important nonprofit organizations in Spartanburg County. Our grant funds address short and long-term needs presented by COVID-19, specifically basic needs, mental health concerns, and the health and education lag that we are beginning to see due to the health and economic challenges we are currently facing.” The Foundation will offer two more funding opportunities in 2020. The next application will be released in early June and will be posted at www.maryblackfoundation.org.

Grants Awarded

• Alliance for a Healthier Generation received $15,000 to plan for the next phase of the Spartanburg Healthy Schools Initiative, with a goal to expand and deepen the impact for communities beginning in 2021.  
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate received $20,000 to assist with operational costs related to providing one-on-one mentoring opportunities to Spartanburg children and adolescents.
• Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas received $5,000 for assistance with transportation to diagnostic and treatment services to ensure children have access to needed cancer care.
• EMERGE Family Therapy and Teaching Clinic received $60,000 to partially fund a full-time therapist who will be dedicated to community needs that arise out of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
• GoForth Recovery received $37,500 for continued financial support for a peer support specialist who provides screenings, referrals, and programs to help men who are facing addiction.  
• Healthy Smiles of Spartanburg received $75,000 to provide children living in low-income households access to dental care, including school-based screenings, an onsite dental clinic, and a mobile dental clinic.  
• Institute for Child Success received $5,000 for its research, public awareness, and advocacy efforts around the impact of COVID-19 on children and families. 
• Partners for Active Living received $40,000 to build upon the work established through the Spartanburg Healthy Schools Initiative and plan for the next phase of the work to launch in 2021, which they will coordinate.
• ReGenesis Health Care received $75,000 for a crisis intervention coordinator who will partner with Spartanburg School District 6 to provide children and adolescents experiencing a mental health crisis with immediate assessment and care, preventing unnecessary visits to the emergency room and improving continuity of care.
• Ruth’s Gleanings received $15,000 to assist with operational costs related to the distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables through Spartanburg County emergency food providers, food banks, and Farmers to Families Food Boxes. 
• SAFE Homes Rape Crisis Coalition received $75,000 to fund a full-time therapist who will work with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, a need that is increasing due to family instability caused by economic uncertainty and stay at home recommendations.
• Spartanburg Academic Movement received $110,000 to continue collecting kindergarten readiness data through the Early Development Instrument, which helps to identify strengths and weaknesses within Spartanburg’s early childhood system.
• Spartanburg Community College received $15,000 to partner with a national consultant to conduct a student mental health assessment and develop a strategy to address gaps and barriers in the school’s mental health services.
• Spartanburg County School District 3 received $67,500 to expand the Parents as Teachers program that provides early detection of developmental delays among preschool children and increases children’s school readiness and success.
• United Way of the Piedmont received $55,500 for continued support for a community resources coordinator who helps vulnerable families in Spartanburg County create a pathway to financial stability, an increasing need due to the economic crisis caused by COVID-19.
• Upstate Family Resource Center received $6,000 to continue the efforts of PASOs to connect Spanish-speaking families in Spartanburg County with available resources and support to minimize the impact of COVID-19.
• Upstate Fatherhood Coalition received $5,000 to support operational costs related to serving fathers in Spartanburg County.
• Upstate Warrior Solution received $5,000 to provide critical case coordination for veterans related to the COVID-19 crisis.
• YMCA of Greater Spartanburg received $22,500 to provide scholarships that would make its summer camps more affordable for children who might not otherwise be able to attend.

The Mary Black Foundation is an independent, private foundation. Since 1996, it has paid over $58 million to improve the health and wellness of the people and communities of Spartanburg County. Additional information about the Foundation is available at ww.maryblackfoundation.org.