Mary Black Foundation Grants

The Mary Black Foundation is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. With a specific focus on early life experiences, the Foundation prioritizes investments that support high-quality prenatal and early childhood development. Guided by extensive health research, community input, and local data, the Foundation has adopted a holistic, multi-generational approach that emphasizes the importance of supporting both children and the adults who care for them. The Foundation’s current funding strategy centers on initiatives that create systemic and sustainable improvements in health outcomes. It seeks to fund programs that address the root causes of community challenges and that aim to create long-lasting change. Special emphasis is placed on the earliest stages of life, beginning with prenatal care and extending through early childhood. Projects that incorporate both individual and family-level impact are prioritized, especially those that demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of how early interventions shape long-term health and social outcomes. Grant opportunities from the Foundation are offered on an annual basis to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies serving Spartanburg County. The grant process is two-phased. Initially, organizations must submit an inquiry form between September 23 and October 10, 2025. This brief form provides an overview of the proposed initiative. During this stage, consultations with Foundation staff are not available. However, organizations invited to the second phase—completing the full application—may schedule consultations, particularly if they are first-time applicants. For the 2025 cycle, full applications must be submitted between October 17 and November 12 at noon. Only those organizations that are selected after the inquiry stage will receive access to the full application portal. The Foundation encourages applicants who are new to its grant process to schedule consultations with program staff to ensure alignment and clarity. The application portal includes a step-by-step process where applicants begin by confirming eligibility, submitting the inquiry form, and then moving forward with a full proposal if invited. To be eligible for funding, an organization must be a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit or a governmental agency and must serve the residents of Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The Foundation adheres to a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of its operations, including its grantmaking practices. It does not support discriminatory activities or fund organizations engaged in such practices. All interested applicants should review the Foundation's frequently asked questions or reach out directly to Amy Page for additional information or to schedule a consultation once the organization has progressed to the second phase. Ms. Page can be contacted at apage@maryblackfoundation.org or by phone at (864) 398-4274.

The Foundation recommends that first-time applicants schedule a consultation with program staff after being invited to submit a full application.