Posted on August 2nd, 2016

The Spartanburg County Foundation awarded $87,931 in grants to 8 nonprofit organizations working to improve the overall well-being of Spartanburg County residents – Adult Learning Center, Inc.; City of Spartanburg; Hope Remains Youth Ranch; Mental Health America of Spartanburg County; Mobile Meal Service of Spartanburg County, Inc.; Mt. Moriah Baptist Church of Spartanburg Foundation, Inc.; New Day, Inc. of Spartanburg; and South Carolina Hunters and Land Owners for the Hungry. Recipients were recognized at an awards ceremony Thursday, May 12, 2016, at The Spartanburg County Foundation.

Each year, The Spartanburg County Foundation trustees set an unrestricted budget from the Community Fund and a partnership of other funds to award responsive grants to nonprofit organizations and institutions providing services to the residents of Spartanburg County.

Having awarded nearly $140 million in grants since its inception, the Foundation’s President and CEO Troy Hanna, shared, “The funds granted today will benefit the essential work of these eight nonprofits, will further programs, and help fulfill their missions. We are proud to partner with these organizations that will make a lasting impact on the residents of Spartanburg County and that serve six of the Community Indicators: Education, Economy, Social Environment, Public Health, Civic Health, and Cultural Vitality. ”

1. Adult Learning Center, Inc.
Adult Learning Center, Inc., is the recipient of a $14,196 grant to establish a digital marketing campaign to reach students, volunteers, donors, and the community as a whole. This project has two main components, which involve search engine and social media optimization.

2. City of Spartanburg
The City of Spartanburg is the recipient of a $15,000 grant to implement Seeing Spartanburg in a New Light, a collaborative, neighborhood-based art-making process that will enhance community policing and public safety efforts aligned with the annual National Night Out program. The grant will specifically be used for the educational, training, and community engagement components of the project.

3. Hope Remains Youth Ranch
Hope Remains Youth Ranch is the recipient of a $4,000 challenge grant to implement Project Hope, an after-school program that focuses on at-risk, behavioral, and trauma based youth in Spartanburg County. This program contains character education, life skills, mentoring, and equine therapy components. The grant will specifically be used for volunteer/mentor training, equine therapy, and educational supplies.

4. Mental Health America of Spartanburg County
Mental Health America of Spartanburg County is the recipient of a $7,000 grant to implement Mental Health First Aid, an eight-hour certification course that educates participants on mental illness, reduces stigma, and provides suicide prevention training.

5. Mobile Meal Service of Spartanburg County, Inc.
Mobile Meal Service of Spartanburg County, Inc., is the recipient of a $9,135 grant that will be used to purchase a new server, four volunteer computers, a computer for the Director of Production, and the wiring necessary to connect all areas to the network server.

6. Mt. Moriah Baptist Church of Spartanburg Foundation, Inc.
Mt. Moriah Baptist Church of Spartanburg Foundation, Inc. is the recipient of a $6,600 grant to hold its Community Health Awareness Day in June 2016. This one-day educational event and health walk is designed to remove barriers to health care, such as access and money. It offers a variety of free health screenings, health resources, and health education classes at one easily accessible location within the community.

7. New Day, Inc. of Spartanburg
New Day, Inc. of Spartanburg is the recipient of a $17,000 grant to secure an Adult Educator for its Ed- YOU-cation Initiative. This initiative helps New Day Clubhouse members achieve meaningful academic success and gain skills vital to achieving employment.

8. South Carolina Hunters and Land Owners for the Hungry
South Carolina Hunters and Land Owners for the Hungry is the recipient of a $15,000 challenge grant to purchase and install a 10 foot by 20 foot freezer and refrigeration unit at their new location in the former Pacolet Armory. The unit will be used to store frozen venison and wild boar meat, as well as perishable food items.

These grants are made possible in partnership with The Spartanburg County Foundation Community Fund; Jim D. and Johnnie G. Adams Trustee Initiated Fund; William Stuart Allen Memorial Fund; The Balmer Foundation, Inc. Trustee Initiated Fund; Morris B. and Harriet S. Chesney Trustee Initiated Fund; Frank H. and Rosie C. Cunningham Fund; John and Kate Dargan Trustee Initiated Fund; Founder’s Fund; Tracy and Thomas E. Hannah Trustee Initiated Fund; Harriet Smith Harris, Philip Guy Harris, and Philip Guy Harris, Jr. Memorial Fund; The J M Smith Foundation, Inc. Trustee Initiated Fund; The R. E. and Marion Littlejohn P Trustee Initiated Fund; The Powell Family Fund; Harry W. Sanders Fund; and The John and Jean Williams Trustee Initiated Fund.

The Spartanburg County Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of Spartanburg County residents by promoting philanthropy, encouraging community engagement and responding to community needs. Established in 1943, The Spartanburg County Foundation is the oldest community foundation in South Carolina. Additional information about the Foundation is available at www.spcf.org.