The Mary Black Foundation awards $436,522 in grants

The Mary Black Foundation announced today that it recently awarded $436,522 in grants to 11 nonprofit organizations serving Spartanburg County.

• Children’s Security Blanket was awarded $15,000 to assist families who have children with cancer and who are unable to afford the many costs associated with treatment.
• CommunityWorks received $40,000 for the Spartanburg Financial Stability Network, which connects low wealth families to financial products and services needed to achieve financial stability.
• New Day of Spartanburg was awarded $25,000 to upfit its new facility, which was purchased after a fire destroyed the Clubhouse on Asheville Highway.
• Northside Development Group was awarded $25,000 to assist low to moderate income homeowners in the Cleveland Heights neighborhood whose homes are in need of emergency repairs, weatherization and energy efficiency updates, or major home repairs.
• Partners for Active Living was awarded $160,156 to continue its work to prevent childhood obesity, develop a connected trails network, and promote walking and biking for all.
• SAFE Homes Rape Crisis Coalition received $23,575 to increase its capacity to provide better quality and more timely service to victims.
• St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic was awarded $30,000 to support its operating expenses and increase its capacity to serve low income, uninsured residents
• The Salvation Army Community Center received $27,280 to make improvements to its facility in order to provide a safe and clean place for the young people served by its programs.
• United Way of the Piedmont was awarded $15,000 to support its Financial Stability Initiative, including a needs assessment of the current safety net system.
• Upstate Forever received $73,011 to work with municipalities that are interested in developing and implementing policies that support active living.
• Wofford College was awarded $2,500 to support Nutrition Now, a program designed by college students to provide healthy food for children enrolled in a nearby after school program.

Also, the Foundation announced that it will reduce the number of grant cycles offered in 2016 from four to two. Early Childhood Development and Healthy Eating|Active Living grants will be awarded in the Spring and Fall of 2016. Community Health Fund grants will be accepted in Fall 2016 only. The deadline for the spring grant cycle is January 15, 2016. To apply for a grant, visit www.maryblackfoundation.org.

The Mary Black Foundation is an independent private foundation. Since 1996, the Foundation has awarded more than $46 million to support its mission of investing in the people and communities for improved health, wellness, and success in Spartanburg County. Additional information about the Foundation is available at www.maryblackfoundation.org.