Foundation Awards $781,597 in Grants

SPARTANBURG, SC – The Mary Black Foundation announced that it awarded $781,597 in grants to 5 nonprofit organizations serving Spartanburg County.

• City of Woodruff was awarded $251,375 to assist in the construction of the new McKinney Park, a 7-acre community park located in the heart of the City. The park will have a water ‘sprayground,’ a playground, trails, basketball and tennis courts, and a ball field. To help combat growing obesity among adults and children, this project will provide the residents and nearby visitors to McKinney Park a safe place to walk, play, and be active.
• Hope Center for Children was awarded $129,393 over three years to sustain and grow the Family Strengthening program, an evidence-based approach to parent education that involves home-based and group-based services. 40% of families served by Hope Center for Children have children under age five and this program will help support positive early childhood development.
• Spartanburg Area Conservancy was awarded $52,829 to support a professionally designed plan for the Cottonwood South trail connection, approximately 2.25 miles of additional trail in Spartanburg that will connect to the Glendale Shoals Preserve, one of the County’s and most popular passive recreation preserves. The trail is possible thanks to private property owners, including the Spartanburg Country Club, that have donated trail easements to SPACE.
• United States Healthful Food Council (USHFC) was awarded $48,000 to pilot a program in Spartanburg School District 6 to build upon its healthy food initiative. USHFC will work with two elementary, one middle, and one high school in District 6 to assess all menu offerings and practices, and determine appropriate educational and promotional strategies for students of all ages.
• YMCA of Greater Spartanburg was awarded $300,000 to support capitol renovations for the Middle Tyger YMCA. The YMCA will undergo a $1.5 million capital campaign to fund much needed repairs and upgrades to the 17-year old Middle Tyger Family YMCA, located in Duncan. Repairs include, but are not limited to, resurfacing of the 50-meter pool and 25-meter therapeutic pool, piping, HVAC systems, structural repairs, painting, windows, and investing in a network of outdoor trails on the property.

Molly Talbot-Metz, Vice President of Programs, said, “The Foundation’s board of trustees and staff are pleased to support these important efforts in Spartanburg County. Whether it is through new programs or improved infrastructure, these nonprofit organizations are improving the health and wellness of our community.”

The Mary Black Foundation is an independent, private foundation. Since 1996, it has awarded more than $43 million to improve the health and wellness of the people and communities of Spartanburg County. Additional information about the Foundation is available at www.maryblackfoundation.org.