Grassroots Leadership Development Institute
Established in 2004 as the Strengthening Voices initiative, the Spartanburg County Foundation’s Grassroots Leadership Development Institute (GLDI) has equipped more than 500 emerging and established leaders with the knowledge, skills, and resources to effect meaningful change. The program fosters civic engagement, collaboration, and community-driven solutions that improve the lives of residents across Spartanburg County and beyond.
How does GLDI help our community?
Building upon the Spartanburg County Foundation’s vision that all Spartanburg County residents achieve their human potential through continuous improvement in quality of life, educational achievement, and economic mobility, GLDI class members participate in learning sessions connecting them to the local structures impacting each of these areas and provide leadership training to learn how to become instruments of positive change in each. GLDI is designed to empower the community to assume responsibility for positive social change and equip them with the tools needed to make a difference.
More than 500 Spartanburg County residents have graduated from GLDI. GLDI Alumni are working across a wide range of professions and volunteering to help meet community needs.
Planning for the Future
Looking ahead, the Foundation is taking a purposeful pause in 2027 to work with community leaders and GLDI Alumni to assess, refine, and strengthen a successful program for the future. While the GLDI curriculum has continuously evolved to meet changing community needs, this dedicated year of evaluation and planning will allow us to enhance the Institute’s framework and structure, and align it with long-term goals, and deepen its impact.
We look forward to a year of growth and innovation for the Grassroots Leadership Development Institute. The next application window for participants will open in late 2027 for the class of 2028. If you are interested in receiving information about the application process for the GLDI class of 2028, you may sign up to receive updates:
