Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change

The Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change is a recognition program administered by the Spartanburg County Foundation in South Carolina. Established in 2007, the award honors community members who demonstrate exceptional leadership and dedication to improving quality of life in Spartanburg County. Named in honor of Mary L. Thomas, a leader deeply committed to equity and community advancement, the award celebrates grassroots leadership and recognizes individuals who contribute meaningfully to civic change, often without widespread public attention. The award is presented annually, with nominations opening in the fall and the selected recipient honored at the Spartanburg County Foundation’s Annual Meeting held in the spring of the following year. The current nomination window is open through Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Nominees must reside in Spartanburg County, exhibit integrity and ethical conduct, and demonstrate tangible community impact. While self-nominations are permitted, the process traditionally involves a third-party nominator who provides insights into the nominee’s contributions and impact. Nominees are evaluated based on three key areas: innovation, leadership and community impact, and civic participation. Candidates are expected to have brought forth new ideas to tackle critical issues in Spartanburg County, shown evidence of leadership that drives community change, and actively engaged with local residents, especially grassroots populations. The award process requires nominators to document these attributes by responding to specific evaluative questions and providing clear examples of the nominee’s engagement and outcomes. A complete nomination must include three letters of recommendation, which should speak directly to the nominee's community involvement. These letters must be submitted through the online GoApply platform, where nominators register, access the application titled “2026 Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change,” and upload the required documentation. Questions about letters or the process can be directed to Ashley Whitt, Vice President of Grants and Community Impact. The recipient of the award receives a commemorative physical award and a $5,000 grant to direct to a nonprofit of their choice, in partnership with the Spartanburg County Foundation. The award decision is made by a committee that reviews all submissions and notifies the selected recipient privately before the public announcement. A video profile of the honoree is created and shown at the Foundation’s Annual Meeting, where the award is formally presented. The event allows the recipient to make brief remarks and name the nonprofit organization they have chosen to receive the grant. This award not only celebrates local leadership but also strengthens Spartanburg County’s nonprofit sector by recognizing individuals who foster collaboration and long-term community betterment.

Provide detailed impact examples and strong reference letters to support nomination.