Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Spartanburg County Foundation offers grants to nonprofits

Staff Report //May 29, 2020//

Spartanburg County Foundation offers grants to nonprofits

Staff Report //May 29, 2020//

Listen to this article

The Spartanburg County Foundation has extended $225,000 in grant money to regional nonprofits impacted by COVID-19.

Nonprofits that apply for the grant online may be awarded between $10,000 to $50,000 if eligible, according to a news release from the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce. The foundation will prioritize Spartanburg nonprofits and faith-based organizations seeking to extend services to vulnerable populations including the elderly, homeless or those with unstable housing situations, children, seasonal workers, health care employees, minority communities, immigrants and non-English speakers.

“The Spartanburg County Foundation recently signed the Council on Foundation’s Call to Action Pledge for Philanthropy’s Response to COVID-19,” Mary L. Thomas, CFO of The Spartanburg County Foundation, said in a statement. “This solidifies our commitment to support nonprofits in the Spartanburg County community by being more flexible with grants and grant restrictions.”

All of the Foundation’s grant funding for this year’s spring spending cycle will target COVID-19 recovery.

The grant fund was established after the foundation’s assessment of nonprofit needs, populations most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19 and nonprofit sustainability since March. Research results indicated that food and financial assistance remain the most critical needs as many nonprofits report that requests for assistance have double since COVID-19 reached the county.

Increased demand coupled with lifted eviction and utility bill moratoriums led a number of nonprofits in the county to doubt whether they can survive the next two months financially.

“The Spartanburg County Foundation’s model of passing gear philanthropy includes philanthropy as relief in which resources are focused on situations where addressing immediate needs is essential,” said Troy Hanna, president and CEO of The Spartanburg County Foundation, in the release. “The Foundation wants to do its part in ensuring our local nonprofit sector remains strong and immediate assistance is accessible.”

o