Updates from Mary Black Foundation

Foundation Announces Shift in Priority Areas

The Mary Black Foundation is excited to announce that in 2024, the organization will evolve its grantmaking priority to focus on children and families. The change will allow the organization to build on current strategies that are working well and respond to evolving best practices and community needs. 

President and CEO Molly Talbot-Metz said the Foundation’s leaders have spent the past 18 months reflecting on the organization’s past and envisioning the future. She said the Foundation’s decision to broaden beyond the current focus on Early Childhood Development and Healthy Eating/Active Living was influenced by three factors: 

• Improving the health and wellbeing of children and their families has a positive impact on the long-term health outcomes of the entire community.   
• Research shows that investing in young people and the adults who care for them – a multi-generational approach – is one of the best ways to improve outcomes for children.   
• Focusing on a population rather than a specific behavior or issue allows for a more holistic approach to improving health and wellbeing that recognizes the significant impact of non-medical factors such as where people live, learn, work, and play.  

We feel that this holistic approach is the most strategic pathway to achieving our vision of a welcoming and connected community where all residents can achieve health and wellbeing,

Talbot-Metz said.

This new focus will allow the Foundation to adapt to changing community needs, continue to partner with a wide range of organizations, and improve health outcomes.

Beginning in 2024, all the Foundation’s work, regardless of the issue area, will be aligned with the new focus on improving the health and wellbeing of children and their families.   

The Foundation’s leaders are crafting a new strategic plan that will continue bringing the organization’s vision for Spartanburg County to light. 

Upcoming Grant Cycle

The Mary Black Foundation will have a grant cycle opening on November 1, 2023. It will offer flexible funding for organizations that are working broadly to improve health and wellbeing. Future grant cycles that will be announced in 2024 will align with our new focus on children and families.  

Why We’re Doing It: 
We consider grantmaking to be an investment in Spartanburg, SC that will contribute to improved health and wellbeing. We want to partner with organizations in Spartanburg working diligently to improve health for all people in our community. 

Opportunity at a Glance: 
We’re offering one-time, unrestricted, flexible grant opportunities to organizations and partners that champion our mission and vision for Spartanburg County. We will award approximately $500,000 during this grant cycle.

The Timeline: 
Grant cycle opens: November 1, 2023
Grant cycle closes: December 8, 2023
Funds available: Early Spring 2024 

All grant cycle information and access to the application can be found on our website.