Media
Mary Black Foundation Honors Legacy By Addressing Community's Needs
September 20, 2026
The Mary Black Foundation’s 30-year legacy — from the sale of the Mary Black Memorial Hospital in 1996 to an unexpected $8 million gift in 2022 and more. This article highlights some of the key moments and where the Foundation is headed today, three decades into its existence as a private foundation.
WSPA News: Mary Black Foundation celebrates 30 Years
September 15, 2026
The Foundation celebrated 30 years operating as a private foundation. It felt especially meaningful to do it at the brand new Middle Tyger Education Center, the second campus of the Foundation’s first significant grantee, Middle Tyger Community Center.
WYFF 4 the Record: Mary Black Foundation Celebrates 30 Years
August 24, 2026
WYFF News 4 featured the Mary Black Foundation on this segment of 4 the Record as the Foundation celebrates three decades of impact in Spartanburg County. Four partners and two staff members share how the Foundation has grown from its first significant grant as a private foundation to Middle Tyger Community Center to over $74.5 million invested in hundreds of nonprofit organizations in Spartanburg County today.
Who's on the Move Entrepreneur Minute - Molly Talbot-Metz, Mary Black Foundation
July 27, 2026
This podcast series explores how South Carolina businesses and organizations are innovating to stay competitive in a rapidly changing world. Each episode features leaders from a wide range of industries—including private companies, nonprofits, education, healthcare and manufacturing—who are embracing new ideas, technologies and strategies to drive growth and create lasting impact.
Commentary: Child care isn't a family problem; it's a SC infrastructure problem
July 5, 2026
In this op-ed, Mary Black Foundation Director of Community Impact, Haley Wicker, brings to light the fragility of the state’s child care infrastructure.
For 30 years, Mary Black Foundation has helped shape the health of Spartanburg
July 2, 2026
For 30 years, the Mary Black Foundation has invested boldly in the people and communities of Spartanburg County. This article highlights not only this milestone, but recognizes the people, partnerships, and shared vision that continues to shape our community.
Speaking Up
Summer 2026
The Mary Black Foundation’s recurring Open Philanthropy column is highlighted in this Philanthropy Southeast article. The goal of Open Philanthropy is to pull back the curtain on grantmaking, using transparency, honesty, and open conversation to build stronger partnerships.
From Philanthropy Southeast publication.
Yes, In My Backyard: Lessons in Effective Place-Based Giving
May 7, 2026
The Bridgespan Group highlights lessons from place-based philanthropy leaders across the country on building stronger, community-driven impact. Foundation President & CEO, Molly Talbot-Metz, alongside other national leaders, share insights on working to advance locally rooted giving.
The ENGAGE Podcast: Why Foundations Should Engage in Advocacy
April 10, 2026
Sally Ehrenfried is joined by three South Carolina foundation leaders—Susan DeVenny, Arras Foundation, Katy Smith, Greater Good Greenville, and Molly Talbot-Metz, Mary Black Foundation—to reflect on their experience at Foundations on the Hill and share practical, nonpartisan ways philanthropy leaders can build relationships with policymakers to strengthen their communities.
Project 100: Quality Childcare for Spartanburg's Growing Future
July 1, 2025
Five childcare providers across Spartanburg County will receive $164,000 in funding thanks to an innovative pilot led by OneSpartanburg, Inc., Power Up Spartanburg, the Mary Black Foundation, Spartanburg County First Steps, and Quality Counts. Funds will go towards facilities upgrades that will lead to more childcare slots throughout Spartanburg County.
The Upstate Tea: The SC Childcare Crisis & The Local Soutions
May 14, 2025
In this podcast episode of Upstate Tea, host Kathryn Harvey dives deep into the childcare crisis impacting Spartanburg and the broader Upstate South Carolina region.
Expand Health Care Access for SC Families
February 4, 2025
In this op-ed, President & CEO, Molly Talbot-Metz, shares about the importance and urgency behind ensuring that all SC families have access to health care.
MacKenzie Scott's Gifts Keep on Giving
Fall 2024
Philanthropy Southeast catches up with several foundations and nonprofits who received gifts from MacKenzie Scott who are making good use of the billionaire philanthropist’s game-changing unrestricted gifts.
From Philanthropy Southeast publication.
Piggly Wiggly Closure Highlights Ongoing Challenges
December 18, 2023
In September of 2023, a newly opened Piggly Wiggly in Spartanburg’s Southside neighborhood—backed by support from the City of Spartanburg and a $900K loan from the Foundation—closed after just 13 months. The project sought to bring resources to an area considered a food desert. While the closure meant the original needs were still present in the neighborhood, it highlighted deeper structural challenges and potential solutions on which the community can now focus.
Six Questions for Molly Talbot-Metz
December 6, 2023
Inside Philanthropy’s Mike Scutari caught up with Molly “to discuss her career trajectory, what advice she’d give her 20-year-old self and how it felt to channel her inner MacKenzie Scott.” Click below to read the full interview.
Molly Talbot-Metz awarded Order of the Palmetto
December 1, 2023
In November 2023, Molly Talbot-Metz was presented the Order of the Palmetto award. With a career spanning over two decades in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, Talbot-Metz’s influence and contributions have been pivotal in advancing local and statewide initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes.
MacKenzie Scott gives $8M to Spartanburg’s Mary Black Foundation
November 14, 2022
“Amazing things are happening here in Spartanburg. A lot of things have received national attention like the Northside initiative and the Spartanburg Academic Movement,” said Talbot-Metz, President & CEO for Mary Black Foundation. “It says a lot about this community that we attract the interest of national funders.”
In Their Own Words: Funders Share Stories Of Change
2022
Leaders from eight foundations, including the Mary Black Foundation, share the most important changes they have made since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020 that they plan to sustain going forward.
From Center for Effective Philanthropy publication.
Blazing a Path to Progress
2021
In 2021, the Mary Black Foundation and Spartanburg County Foundation were honored with the Truist Award for the launch of the Spartanburg Racial Equity Collaborative.
From Philanthropy Southeast publication.