Women Giving for Spartanburg awards $200,000 at annual luncheon

Since 2007, grants have been awarded to over 130 nonprofits in Spartanburg County surpassing $3.5 million 

On Monday May 6, Women Giving for Spartanburg (WGFS) celebrated their 2024 Grantees by awarding $200,000, an increase of over $25,000 from the year prior. The organization, a special project of the Spartanburg County Foundation, was thrilled to surprise all ten of this year’s Grant finalists by awarding them full or partial support.

“It is indeed my honor to announce the recipients of our 2024 WGFS Grants,” said Pamela Heath, 2023-2024 Chair. “Women Giving for Spartanburg supports our community with high impact Collective Giving Grants to serve the needs of local nonprofits. Since our Founding Members established WGFS in 2007, grants have been awarded to over 130 nonprofits in Spartanburg County totaling $3,519,113!”

The WGFS Grants Committee requests Grant proposals from local nonprofit organizations each year for innovative projects focused on areas highlighted by the seven Spartanburg Community Indicators Project areas. This year, after review, site visits, and Grants Showcase in March, the Members voted on ten organizations to receive a combined total of $200,000 in financial assistance:

• Benjamin E Mays Family Resource Center $16,000 – senior wellness program
• BridgeWay Village $30,000 – van for residents employment transportation
• The Carpenter’s Table Community Outreach Center $19,814 – Freezer and shelving for perishables
• Christmas in Action Spartanburg $30,000 – repairs for Spartanburg homes outside if city limits
• Kids Upstate $30,000 – field trip costs for District Seven students
• Make-A-Wish South Carolina $10,000 -wish granted for four children in Spartanburg County
• Mobile Meals of Spartanburg County, Inc. $13,986 – steam table to keep foods at safe temperatures
• The Period Project $10,000 – materials, building operational structure, and optimizing data collection and inventory system.
• Project R.E.S.T. $30,000 – kids accessible playground
• Spartanburg Area Conservancy $10,200 – refurbishing Rachel’s Bridge on the Cottonwood Trail

“I am excited to chair Women Giving in ‘24–‘ 25. Women Giving for Spartanburg is a unique organization dedicated to our philosophy of collective giving. Our mission is to support noble causes with time, talent, and resources,” shared Incoming WGFS Board Chair, Jakie Hodge. “We are ready to make Women Giving for Spartanburg “THRIVE” in 2025. “

Membership is open to any woman who would like to make a difference in the Spartanburg community. Annual dues are $600 for Junior Members (ages 35 and under), $600 for Senior Members (ages 75 and over) and $1,200 for Regular Members.

The Women’s Giving circle also encourages involvement through Committee work and events. Its unique annual Grant process gives each Member a chance to vote on Grant finalists via online or paper ballot. The next Women Giving for Spartanburg Grant cycle will open October 25, 2024.

For more information about Grants or to join Women Giving for Spartanburg as a Junior, Regular or Senior Society member, visit www.WomenGivingSpartanburg.org.

About Women Giving For Spartanburg

Founded in 2007 as a special project of the Spartanburg County Foundation, Women Giving for Spartanburg is an open membership group of passionate women who have joined together to enhance the quality of life in the Spartanburg community through collective giving. This women’s giving circle pools its money, energy and ideas in order to create a measurable impact on the local nonprofits funded via their annual Grant process.