Celebrating Mary Black Foundation’s History: 2010
Mary Black Foundation Becomes a Private Foundation
2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the Mary Black Foundation’s role as a private foundation in Spartanburg. However, the Mary Black Foundation has a legacy that extends beyond the last 25 years. In fact, the Foundation was originally formed in 1986 – 35 years ago – to support the Mary Black Memorial Hospital and related community programs. The sale of the nonprofit hospital to a for profit company, in 1996, led to the reconfiguration of the Mary Black Foundation and its significant growth in assets. In the 25 years since the Mary Black Foundation separated from the hospital, it has provided over $62 million in grants to support health and wellness initiatives throughout Spartanburg County. During this same time, the assets have grown to over $75 million.Spartanburg’s Approach to Teen Pregnancy Prevention
This blog contains excerpts from a report titled: Spartanburg’s Approach to Teen Pregnancy. To read the full report, click here.
Connect
One of the federal grants, managed by the Mary Black Foundation (2015-2020), led to the creation of the Connect initiative. Connect promotes adolescent friendly services, supports, and opportunities throughout Spartanburg County. Fueled by a Community Advisory Board of over 30 organizations and a group of Youth Ambassadors, Connect has taken teen pregnancy prevention efforts in Spartanburg County to a new level. As the first federal grant was ending, the Mary Black Foundation stepped forward to apply for additional federal funds to strengthen the work. Efforts to prevent teen pregnancy fit squarely under the Foundation’s existing investment in early childhood development. This alignment with mission, combined with a high level of community readiness and capacity, positioned the Foundation—and community—to be successful in attracting a federal investment. In July 2015, the Foundation was one of 84 grantees across the country funded by the Office of Adolescent Health (now Office of Population Affairs). A five-year, $5.3 million grant supported the development and creation of the Connect initiative. Connect was established to promote adolescent friendly services, supports, and opportunities throughout Spartanburg, but especially among youth experiencing the greatest inequities, with the goal to improve overall adolescent health.Sustainability
Like all effective community health collaboratives, the teen pregnancy prevention work in Spartanburg continues to evolve to meet the needs of youth and build on strengths of the community. By keeping a long-term commitment to the issue and prioritizing the collaborative, multifaceted approach, Spartanburg will continue to see success in preventing teen pregnancy and ensuring holistic adolescent health. In 2020, Spartanburg Regional Foundation received a federal grant to continue the adolescent health work of Connect. Connect Project Director Polly Edwards-Padgett said:…taking programs that maybe were successful on their own but can be that much more impactful together. I think that will be one of the greatest legacies of Connect.
The Success
