The Spartanburg County Foundation awarded $105,000 in grants to 7 nonprofit organizations working innovatively to address the needs of Spartanburg County residents. In recognition of its 75th Anniversary, the Foundation will award a total of $750,000 throughout the year.
“We are pleased to support these organizations that are working each day to improve lives in Spartanburg County,” said Mary Thomas, chief operating officer of The Spartanburg County Foundation. “We are especially honored to recognize the Foundation’s 75th year by continuing to fulfill the mission of promoting philanthropy, encouraging community engagement, and responding to community needs through our grantmaking.”
The following organizations are the first responsive grantees of the Foundation’s milestone year.
The Chapman Cultural Center is the recipient of a $12,675 grant to up fit studios and exhibit galleries within their new Arcadia Mayfair Mill campus. By developing a dynamic arts incubator in the Arcadia community, the Chapman Cultural Center will bring together a diverse constituency to learn about and make art, discover each other’s cultures, and build a new, vibrant, and economically sustainable community in Spartanburg County.
Homes of Hope is the recipient of a $10,000 grant to complete phase two of the Brawley Street model block, 15 homes located in the City of Spartanburg’s northside community. These 15 homes increase affordable housing options and will be available to residents of Spartanburg County who meet specific income criteria. Homes of Hope’s affordable housing program works throughout the Upstate to provide safe, affordable, and energy-efficient housing for low-to-moderate income families and/or individuals.
The Southeastern Chapter of the National Safety Council is the recipient of a $9,650 grant to expand its state-wide Alive at 25 program into other areas of Spartanburg County. Alive at 25 is taught by local off-duty law enforcement officials and focuses on the behaviors, decisions, and risks that students face every time they get behind the wheel of a car. The Southeastern Chapter of the National Safety Council is working to improve education, advocacy, and awareness of automobile safety in order to promote change, particularly in communities, such as Spartanburg, with a high number of annual traffic fatalities.
Spartanburg Regional Foundation is the recipient of a $40,000 grant that is focused on keeping seniors independent, healthy, active, learning, and engaged in the Spartanburg community.
Spartanburg County School District Two is the recipient of a $5,000 grant to purchase a giant Mars Map and curriculum through the Buzz Aldrin Share Space Foundation. Bringing Mars Maps to Spartanburg County is a partnership between the Spartanburg Science Center and several Spartanburg County School Districts in order to strengthen STEM education. The Spartanburg County School District Two program will serve 6,771 students in grades K-8th.
Urban League of the Upstate is the recipient of a $12,675 grant for its Project Ready initiative. Specifically, this grant will assist 60 under-resourced Spartanburg County students in completing high school and pursuing a post-secondary degree or certification. The Urban League of the Upstate works to promote education, equip economically, and transform generations.
YMCA of Greater Spartanburg is the recipient of a $15,000 grant to assist with the construction of a pavilion in memory of Robert Hett Chapman, III. This 3,000 square foot pavilion will be used for youth programming, youth sports, parent meetings, community group meetings, and private events. The pavilion will provide a safe and inviting space in which children and teens can learn, grow, and thrive.
These grants are made possible in partnership with The Spartanburg County Foundation Community Fund; The Balmer Foundation, Inc., Trustee Initiated Fund; the Morris B. and Harriet S. Chesney Trustee Initiated Fund; the Arthur Frederick Willis Childrens Fund; the Georgia Cleveland Fund; the Frank H. and Rosie C. Cunningham Fund; the Alma M. and T.R. Garrison Fund; the Leland L. and Nell B. Larrabee Fund; the Harry W. Sanders Fund; The J M Smith Foundation, Inc., Trustee Initiated Fund; and the John and Jean Williams Trustee Initiated Fund.
Confirmed in compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.