A VITAL Investment: Community-Led Approach to Behavioral Health
In 2025, the Mary Black Foundation made a significant $6 million commitment over five years to support VITAL Spartanburg, a community-wide action plan for mental and behavioral health. The Foundation’s support is a direct result of the unexpected $8 million gift from MacKenzie Scott in 2022. The plan will launch new, innovative efforts, but it will also support and grow the many effective programs and initiatives already taking place in Spartanburg.
A group of representatives from over 40 organizations worked together for 18 months to create a plan for how to address behavioral and mental health needs together, not in isolation. Even more unique is that philanthropy has been at the table since day one. Funders and service providers worked closely together throughout the process—the decision to develop a plan, the process of creating the plan, funding of the plan, and the execution and evaluation of the plan—have all been designed in collaboration. Spartanburg Regional Foundation is serving as the backbone organization for VITAL Spartanburg, helping coordinate the work across dozens of partner organizations.
From this work, a roadmap for a new countywide behavioral and mental health plan was developed:
VITAL Spartanburg: Our Community Action Plan for Mental and Behavioral Health.
This plan focuses on prevention, treatment, and system coordination and has three key priorities:
- Improve mental well-being of children and families.
- Promote well-being of those struggling with severe mental illness.
- Support individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders.
The Data Demanded We Act
Spartanburg Regional Foundation is serving as the backbone organization for this community-wide initiative. Alongside them and the organizations that make up the steering committee, dozens more helped create the plan and are implementing it in the community.
