Mary Black Foundation Inc
Mary Black Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It is an independent grantmaking organization whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of people and communities in Spartanburg County.
Mary Black Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Mary Black Foundation Inc gave $2.6M across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $59K), mostly in South Carolina. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,551,816
- -14.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- -29.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $59,345
- +21.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $87,083,540
- +1.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (11 of 43, 2024)
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Mary Black Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Submit an inquiry form through the Foundation’s grant process. Organizations invited to the next phase may complete a full application; consultations may be scheduled at that stage, with first-time applicants especially encouraged to consider one.
- Review Cycle
- For the 2026 cycle, inquiry forms are accepted September 22–October 8, 2026, and invited applications are due November 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.
- Deadline
- For the 2026 cycle, inquiry forms are accepted September 22–October 8, 2026, and invited applications are due November…
- Contact
Application contact: Mary Black Foundation Inc
Mailing address: 349 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302
Phone: (864) 573-9500
Website: https://maryblackfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Mary Black Foundation Inc
Who Mary Black Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Spartanburg Academic Movement ($411K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
303 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 210 grants of 303 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s stated grantmaking eligibility is for organizations serving Spartanburg County, South Carolina. All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in South Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Mary Black Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 43 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $73K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $31K repeat.
- 63% 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 grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.6M (2024) to $3.1M (2020). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $2.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| 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 |
Ready to take the next step with Mary Black Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $87,083,540 | $2,371,250 | $3,669,061 | $2,551,816 | 43 | $4,220,973 | $1,728,394 | $4,118,478 |
| 2023 | $85,731,539 | $2,479,810 | $6,251,218 | $2,969,828 | 61 | $4,603,579 | $1,685,957 | $3,962,523 |
| 2022 | $83,278,061 | $9,053,324 | $5,032,340 | $2,569,192 | 49 | $4,325,248 | $1,566,164 | $3,705,851 |
| 2021 | $91,142,088 | $4,248,952 | $6,499,740 | $2,661,227 | 72 | $5,341,875 | $6,343,404 | $4,519,577 |
| 2020 | $86,573,778 | $7,410,590 | $5,143,335 | $3,090,647 | 78 | — | $5,062,239 | $4,530,428 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to increase opportunities for health and well-being through strategic investments in the people and communities of Spartanburg County. Its grantmaking priorities emphasize work that starts in the earliest years of life, addresses root causes, supports lasting change, and takes a holistic, multi-generation approach.
Examples of supported organizations reflect a range of community work. Spartanburg Academic Movement describes its mission as an “all-in” partnership pursuing educational achievement and children’s academic and life success. Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation says it generates philanthropic support to advance health. Institute for Child Success describes itself as a research and policy organization dedicated to the success of young children. United Way of the Piedmont says it works to strengthen educational opportunity, economic mobility, and healthcare access for families. Hub City Roots and Ruth’s Gleanings describe missions focused on access to healthy food.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 43 grants totaling $2,551,816. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $411,000, with a median of $30,000.
The largest reported grants included $411,000 to Spartanburg Academic Movement for Hello Family, a panel on unaccompanied minors, and a resilience conference; $281,475 to Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation for a leadership award, the SRHS Nurse Family Partnership, and work to improve behavioral and mental health outcomes; and $269,500 to Partners for Active Living for HEAL transition funding, an endowment campaign, and the Spartanburg Healthy Schools Initiative. Other substantial grants included $201,750 to the City of Spartanburg and $126,500 to Institute for Child Success.
The Foundation says eligible applicants must be current 501(c)(3) organizations or governmental agencies serving Spartanburg County. Its grant process begins with an inquiry form; organizations invited to advance receive instructions for a full application. Required application materials include a list of senior staff and board members, an operating budget, and recent financial statements. The Foundation states that it will not fund discriminatory activities or organizations engaged in discriminatory practices.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Scott Neely as chair, Dr. Kofi Appiah as vice chair, and Sloan Evans as secretary/treasurer. Trustees listed are Dr. Laura Barbas Rhoden, Dr. Russell Booker, Karen Calhoun, Anna Converse, Dr. Julie Fowler, Dr. Ebony Gaffney, and Laura Henthorn.
Mary Black Foundation Inc is led by Molly Talbot-Metz, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 2 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Molly Talbot-Metz
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$175K (2020) → $201K (2024)
Scott Neely
Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anna Converse
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed Memmott
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Calhoun
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nayef Samhat
Trustee
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Russell Booker
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Barbas Rhoden
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bernard Wheeler
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ebony Gaffney
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Fowler
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Henthorn
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Kathryn Snead
CFO
On filings since 2023
37.5 hrs/week
$126K (2023) → $130K (2024)
Kofi Appiah
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sloan Evans
Secretary & Treasurer
Trustee → Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Ethan Burroughs (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Gregory H. Wade (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Karen Knuckles (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Hope Blackley (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Betsy Teter (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Hope Logan (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Norman Chapman (2020–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $201K, to Molly Talbot-Metz (President/CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Mary Black Foundation Inc
How much does Mary Black Foundation Inc give each year?
Mary Black Foundation Inc gave $2.6M across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.0M across 61 grants.
What is Mary Black Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Mary Black Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $59,345, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Mary Black Foundation Inc that year got $19K on average.
Where does Mary Black Foundation Inc give grants?
Mary Black Foundation Inc gives mostly in South Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Spartanburg, SC (32 grants), Greenville, SC (2 grants) and Columbia, SC (2 grants).
Does Mary Black Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 14% of Mary Black Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 43) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Mary Black Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Mary Black Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Spartanburg Academic Movement ($411,000), Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation ($281,475) and Partners for Active Living DBA Play Advocate Live Well ($269,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Mary Black Foundation Inc?
Mary Black Foundation Inc reported $87.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Mary Black Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to increase opportunities for health and well-being through strategic investments in the people and communities of Spartanburg County. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mary Black Foundation Inc?
Submit an inquiry form through the Foundation’s grant process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Mary Black Foundation Inc funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Mary Black Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mary-black-foundation-inc-morg_33710950390e44e7aacf6643c8b22d64
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_570843135_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Mary Black Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/mary-black-foundation-inc-morg_33710950390e44e7aacf6643c8b22d64},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Mary Black Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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