Mary Black Foundation awards over $1.5 million to Spartanburg nonprofits

On the heels of its 35th Anniversary, The Mary Black Foundation announced today that it has awarded $1,564,700 in grants to seven nonprofit organizations serving Spartanburg County. Molly Talbot-Metz, President & CEO for Mary Black Foundation said, “The Foundation is proud to support our nonprofit partners in creating a healthy community for all people in Spartanburg County. Through early childhood education, accessible healthcare initiatives, and efforts to create safe and supportive neighborhoods, we can achieve equitable health outcomes.” The funded organizations include:

• Homes of Hope received $126,000 in grant funds to assist in the development of affordable rental housing units in the City of Spartanburg’s Southside. The Foundation will also provide a loan to Homes of Home as part of the development project.

• Institute for Child Success received $75,000 in general operating support to continue its advocacy and policy work related to early childhood development.

• Spartanburg Area Mental Health received a grant of $58,200 to continue its work in addressing the mental health needs of underserved communities in Spartanburg.

• Spartanburg County First Steps received $258,000 over three years to build its capacity to expand Quality Counts and support the Hello Family initiative.

• Spartanburg School District Three received $336,500 over three years to support the implementation of a three-year-old kindergarten program in Pacolet.

• Spartanburg Regional Foundation received $570,000 over three years to address maternal and infant health outcomes through the Nurse Family Partnership program.

• Upstate Family Resource Center received $141,000 in general operating support to continue family development programming and work with PASOs Spartanburg.

In addition to the grant awards above, the Foundation announced three grants made in honor of Ms. Nora Curiel, the inaugural Dr. George Newby, Jr. Health Equity Leadership Award recipient.

• HALTER: $4,000

• PASOs Spartanburg: $11,000

• Upstate Family Resource Center: $10,000

The next grant cycle will open on August 15, 2022. More information can be found on the Foundation’s website.

The Mary Black Foundation is an independent, private foundation. Since 1996, it has granted over $65 million to nonprofit organizations working 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.