Mary Black Foundation Inc
The Mary Black Foundation is an independent grantmaking organization based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, focused on improving the health and well-being of the people and communities of Spartanburg County. The Foundation was established in 1986 as a fundraising arm of Mary Black Memorial Hospital and became an independent grantmaking foundation in 1996 following the hospital's sale to Quorum Health Group, Inc. for $62 million. The Foundation operates with a staff of 8 employees and maintains a permanent home in a renovated former Duke Power building on East Main Street in Spartanburg.
Key facts about Mary Black Foundation Inc
- EIN
- 57-0843135
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,551,816
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- Average grant
- $59,345
- Median grant
- $30,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (12 of 43, 2024)
- Total assets
- $87,083,540
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Organizations must first submit an inquiry form, a short questionnaire providing a brief summary of their proposals. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Mary Black Foundation Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Mary Black Foundation Inc's 43 itemized 2024 grants were South Carolina (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Spartanburg, SC (32 grants), Greenville, SC (2 grants) and Columbia, SC (2 grants). 14% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Mary Black Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 43 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $21K; repeat grants $74K. How we count
Medians: $24K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−4%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Mary Black Foundation Inc
- How to evaluate Mary Black Foundation Inc as a funder
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$87.1M
+1.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.6M
-14.1% YoY
Grant Count
43
-29.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$59K
+21.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mary Black Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Vision: Spartanburg County is a welcoming and connected community where all residents can achieve health and well-being.
Mission: To increase opportunities for health and well-being through strategic investments in the people and communities of Spartanburg County.
Core Values:
- Impact: Results improve and transform people's lives
- Collaboration: Connecting with others to strengthen the community
- Accountability: Responsible stewardship of Foundation assets
- Respect: Open, inclusive, and caring approach
- Equity: All people should have the opportunity to succeed
Funding Priorities:
The Foundation prioritizes investments supporting high-quality early life experiences and uses a holistic, multi-generation approach that invests in both children and the adults who care for them. Current funding strategies focus on:
- Early Childhood Development
- Active Living
- Community Health initiatives
Within these strategies, the Foundation prioritizes initiatives that:
- Focus on the earliest years of life, beginning with prenatal care
- Tackle root causes of issues and create long-lasting change
- Take a holistic and multi-generation approach
Grantmaking
In 2026, the Mary Black Foundation awarded $1,315,000 to 22 nonprofit organizations focused on maternal and infant health, family support, and early childhood education. Notable 2026 grants included:
Review Cycle
** The Foundation offers grant funding opportunities annually to 501(c)(3) organizations serving Spartanburg County, SC. The application process begins with an inquiry form submission, followed by invitation to full application for selected organizations.
Invitation Only
begins with an inquiry form submission, followed by invitation to full application for selected organizations.
Ready to take the next step with Mary Black Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Mary Black Foundation restricts all funding to Spartanburg County, South Carolina. This locally-focused approach concentrates resources within a county with a population of less than 300,000.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 43 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total Assets (2023): $85.7 million
- Total Liabilities (2023): $3.33 million
- Revenue (2023): $2.48 million
- Expenses (2023): $6.25 million
- Annual Revenue: $18.1 million
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; tax-exempt since October 1987 (EIN: 57-0843135)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $87,083,540 | $85,731,539 | $83,278,061 |
| Revenue | $2,371,250 | $2,479,810 | $9,053,324 |
| Expenses | $3,669,061 | $6,251,218 | $5,032,340 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,220,973 | $4,603,579 | $4,325,248 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,728,394 | $1,685,957 | $1,566,164 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,118,478 | $3,962,523 | $3,705,851 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
303 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Mary Black Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Spartanburg Academic Movement ($411,000), Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation ($281,475), Partners for Active Living DBA Play Advocate Live Well ($269,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SPARTANBURG ACADEMIC MOVEMENT Spartanburg, SC | HELLO FAMILY; PANEL ON UNACCOMPANIED MINORS; BRIDGING PATHS TO RESILIENCE CONFERENCE | $411,000 |
| SPARTANBURG REGIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FOUNDATION Spartanburg, SC | LEADERSHIP AWARD; SRHS NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP; TO IMPROVE BEHAVIOR AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES | $281,475 |
| PARTNERS FOR ACTIVE LIVING DBA PLAY ADVOCATE LIVE WELL Spartanburg, SC | HEAL TRANSITION FUNDING; ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN; SPARTANBURG HEALTHY SCHOOLS INITIATIVE | $269,500 |
| CITY OF SPARTANBURG Spartanburg, SC | HELLO FAMILY FUND; JUNETEENTH ESSAY SCHOLARSHIP; MLK UNITY WEEK SCHOLARSHIP | $201,750 |
| INSTITUTE FOR CHILD SUCCESS Greenville, SC | HOUSING INNOVATION - CHILDREN'S EDITION; SPARTANBURG EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEMS CHANGE INITIATIVE | $126,500 |
| UNITED WAY OF THE PIEDMONT Spartanburg, SC | COMMUNITY HEALTH AND RESOURCE COORDINATORS; UNITED FOR ALL FUND | $114,029 |
| EMERGE FAMILY THERAPY CENTER & TEACHING CLINIC Spartanburg, SC | GENERAL OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $101,000 |
| SPARTANBURG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT THREE Spartanburg, SC | PACOLET 3K CLASS | $95,000 |
| UPSTATE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER Boiling Springs, SC | SUSTAIN SUPPORT GROUPS AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR HIGH-NEEDS POPULATIONS | $80,500 |
| HUB CITY ROOTS Spartanburg, SC | HEAL TRANSITION FUNDING | $75,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Molly Talbot-Metz: President and CEO
- Kathy Dunleavy: CEO
- Mary Kathryn Snead: Chief Financial Officer
- Natalia Valenzuela Swanson: Senior Program Director
- Polly Padgett: Adolescent Health Program Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Neely | Chair | 1 | — |
| Dr Kofi Appiah | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Sloan Evans | Secretary/Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Dr Laura Barbas Rhoden | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Dr Russell Booker | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Karen Calhoun | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Anna Converse | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Dr Julie Fowler | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Dr Ebony Gaffney | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Laura Henthorn | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Ed Memmott | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Dr Nayef Samhat | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Bernard Wheeler | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Molly Talbot-Metz | President/CEO | 37.5 | $200,750 |
| Mary Kathryn Snead | CFO | 37.5 | $129,750 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation has demonstrated consistent annual grantmaking activity, awarding over $1 million in grants in recent funding cycles. In 2026, the Foundation awarded $1,315,000 across 22 organizations, reflecting ongoing commitment to maternal and infant health, family support services, and early childhood education initiatives in Spartanburg County.
The Mary Black Foundation Awards Over $1.3 Million in Grants | OneSpartanburg,The Foundation's work includes long-term impact investments, such as its 15+ year investment in BirthMatters, a community doula services program that has served over 750 families and played a major role in improving birth outcomes in Spartanburg.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mary Black Foundation Inc fund?
**Vision:** Spartanburg County is a welcoming and connected community where all residents can achieve health and well-being. **Mission:** To increase opportunities for health and well-being through strategic investments in the people and communities of Spartanburg County. **Core Values:** • Impact: Results improve and transform people's lives • Collaboration: Connecting with others to strengthen the community • Accountability: Responsible stewardship of Foundation assets • Respect: Open, inclus…
How do I apply for a grant from Mary Black Foundation Inc?
Organizations must first submit an inquiry form, a short questionnaire providing a brief summary of their proposals. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Mary Black Foundation Inc make grants?
The Mary Black Foundation restricts all funding to Spartanburg County, South Carolina. This locally-focused approach concentrates resources within a county with a population of less than 300,000.
What size grants does Mary Black Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Mary Black Foundation Inc awarded 43 grants totaling $2.6M — an average of about $59K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Mary Black Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Mary Black Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Mary Black Foundation Inc's EIN?
Mary Black Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-0843135. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mary Black Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.