The Springs Close Foundation Inc
The Springs Close Foundation Inc is a private 501(c)(3) family foundation established in 1942 and headquartered in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Founded by Colonel Elliott White Springs, a World War I flying ace and author, the foundation operates as a project-based grantmaker serving three South Carolina counties. The organization maintains a lean operational structure with a small staff and operates through community-based boards in each of its service areas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$36.3M
+2.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.0M
+25.3% YoY
Grant Count
101
+23.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
+1.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Springs Close Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to support and improve the communities that once housed the textile mills of Springs Industries in Chester, Lancaster, and York Counties of South Carolina. Colonel Springs established the foundation based on his belief that his family had an obligation to care for and support the company's workers, their families, and the communities in which they lived.
In response to high unemployment rates and growing economic distress, the foundation shifted its charitable efforts toward helping local citizens who need basic and emergency needs, such as shelter, food, and medical assistance, as well as education initiatives.
The foundation focuses on three primary program areas:
- Community Service: Grants to community service organizations in York, Chester, and Lancaster counties, committed to increasing communities' capacity to care for citizens
- Health: Grants to local programs that support and enhance quality of life by promoting health and well-being for all segments of the community
- Leroy Springs Student Loan Program: Provides interest-free loans of up to $3,000 per year toward undergraduate education and $4,000 per year toward medical and dental schools for participants who live in or whose parents work in Lancaster County
Grantmaking
The Springs Close Foundation is a project-based funder. Since 1942, the foundation and its predecessor foundations have provided close to $150 million to nonprofit organizations in their communities.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves three South Carolina counties:
- Chester County
- Lancaster County
- York County
The foundation maintains three offices across these counties to serve its communities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $36,288,428
- Total Revenues: $1,574,368
- Total Expenses: $2,388,430
- Annual Grants Made: $1,344,982
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $35.3M
- Total Revenues: $2.04M
- Total Expenses: $1.83M
- Total Liabilities: $264k
The foundation's investments provide income to fund grants.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $36,288,428 | $35,293,118 | $34,254,738 |
| Revenue | $1,574,368 | $2,037,735 | $807,625 |
| Expenses | $2,388,430 | $1,827,929 | $2,109,485 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,636,824 | $1,989,453 | $1,758,647 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,451,189 | $1,934,473 | $693,120 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,690,171 | $1,633,730 | $1,685,414 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Springs Close Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Winthrop University ($70,000), Carolina Community Care- Charity Care Program ($52,800), Battered But Not Broken ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Winthrop University Fort Mill, SC | PUBLIC EDUCATION and EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT | $70,000 |
| York Technical College Foundation Fort Mill, SC | PUBLIC EDUCATION and EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT | $12,500 |
| National Center for Family Philanthropy Fort Mill, SC | COMMUNITY SERVICE and HEALTH | $1,500 |
| Philanthropy Southeast Fort Mill, SC | COMMUNITY SERVICE and HEALTH | $14,090 |
| Salesian Sisters Fort Mill, SC | COMMUNITY SERVICE and HEALTH | $12,000 |
| SC Grantmakers Fort Mill, SC | COMMUNITY SERVICE and HEALTH | $1,000 |
| Together SC Fort Mill, SC | COMMUNITY SERVICE and HEALTH | $500 |
| Battered But Not Broken Fort Mill, SC | COMMUNITY SERVICE and HEALTH | $50,000 |
| Carolina Community Care- Charity Care Program Fort Mill, SC | EMERGENCY NEED BASED GRANTS | $52,800 |
| Chester County School District - Workability Journalism class Fort Mill, SC | PUBLIC EDUCATION and EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Leadership:
- Michele Lineberger, Executive Director and York County Consultant
County Consultants:
- Lucille Mackey, Chester County Consultant
- Tammy Woods, Lancaster County Consultant
- Angela McCrae, Advisor
- Karen Yarborough, Student Loan Administrator
Foundation Members:
- Crandall C. Bowles
- Elliott S. Close
- Frances A. Close
- H.W. Close, Jr.
- Katherine A. Close, M.D.
- Leroy S. Close
- Patricia Grace Close
- Claude Close
Community Board Leadership:
Chester County Community Board:
- Georgette Boulware, Board Chair
- Kevin Taylor, Vice Chair
- Dr. Elizabeth Claytor, Kathy Funderburk, Ann McCrorey, Shelley Price, Ander Worthy
Lancaster County Community Board:
- Pam Giardiello, Chair
- Angie Neal, Vice Chair
- Jeanne Barton, Erick Crawford, Steve Koss, Nichele Parker, Matt Williamson
York County Community Board:
- Lynn Ringley, Chair
- Harrison Dixon, Vice Chair
- Chantay Bouler, Douglas Pendergrass, Chip Smith, Kaley Thompson, James Warren
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| H William Close Jr | Chairman of the Board | 0.01 | — |
| Elliott S Close | Director | 0.01 | — |
| Frances A Close | Director | 0.01 | — |
| W Dehler Hart | Director | 0.01 | — |
| Greg Close | Director | 0.01 | — |
| Nikki Godfrey-Hill | Director | 0.01 | — |
| Avery S Bivens | Director | 0.01 | — |
| D Peyton Worley | Vice President/Treasurer | 4 | — |
| R Alexander Sullivan | Vice President/Secretary | 4 | — |
| Claude P Close | Director | 0.01 | — |
| Michele Lineberger | Executive Director | 40 | $70,115 |
| Fred Witherspoon | Director | 0.01 | — |
| Georgette Boulware | Director | 0.01 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation was honored by Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in November 2025 for its philanthropic support, marking the fifth consecutive year of recognition for Anne Springs Close.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina Honors Philanthropist Anne SpringsFrequently Asked Questions
What does The Springs Close Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to support and improve the communities that once housed the textile mills of Springs Industries in Chester, Lancaster, and York Counties of South Carolina. Colonel Springs established the foundation based on his belief that his family had an obligation to care for and support the company's workers, their families, and the communities in which they lived. In response to high unemployment rates and growing economic distress, the foundation shifted its charitable effort…
How do I apply for a grant from The Springs Close Foundation Inc?
The Springs Close Foundation is a project-based funder. Since 1942, the foundation and its predecessor foundations have provided close to $150 million to nonprofit organizations in their communities. **Recent Grant Activity:** • 2024 annual grants: $1,344,982 • 2024 total expenses: $2,388,430 • Recent grants include $110,000 and $65,000 to Children's Attention Home for emergency need-based grants, and $70,000 to Winthrop University for public education and early childhood development **Applicat…
Where does The Springs Close Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation serves three South Carolina counties: • Chester County • Lancaster County • York County The foundation maintains three offices across these counties to serve its communities.
What size grants does The Springs Close Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Springs Close Foundation Inc awarded 101 grants totaling $2.0M — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Springs Close Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Springs Close Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Springs Close Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Springs Close Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-0426344. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Springs Close Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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