Spartanburg County Foundation: Community Thanksgiving Grant

The Spartanburg County Foundation's Community Thanksgiving Grant fosters philanthropy and community engagement by supporting local nonprofits. Each year, a Thanksgiving service, hosted by various faith communities, collects donations that the Foundation matches up to $5,000. Eligible organizations must have annual budgets under $500,000 and serve specific areas, including family services and health. This initiative aims to enhance access to opportunities for underserved populations in Spartanburg County, ensuring direct benefits to local residents.

The Spartanburg Interfaith Alliance and Spartanburg County Foundation present the Community Thanksgiving service on the Tuesday evening before Thanksgiving hosted by a different faith community each year. The service offering, collected before and during the service is granted to a local nonprofit agency through the Foundation. The Foundation sets up on online giving site prior to the service where donations may be made. The Foundation matches the offering, up to $5,000. The selected organization is also provided time for a representative to share about the mission and impact of the organization on the local community. In addition, the Spartanburg County Foundation works with the grantee to create a short promotional video.
Focus Areas
Organizations eligible to apply for the Spartanburg Community Thanksgiving Service funding must have annual budgets not exceeding $500,000 and provide services in one of the following areas:

• Family Services
• Food, Hunger & Shelter
• Health Services
• Youth Services

Eligibility

Grant requests should support direct services (i.e., implementing programs, conducting outreach efforts, etc.) and increase access to opportunity for under-served populations. Priority will be given to organizations that can clearly demonstrate how the project will benefit the residents of Spartanburg County.The Spartanburg County Foundation only considers organizations and institutions that are recognized as 501(c)(3) nonprofit and/or tax-exempt entities providing services to residents of Spartanburg County, South Carolina.Institutions and organizations located outside of Spartanburg County may be eligible for funding; however, funding is restricted to benefit Spartanburg County residents only.
Organizations that serve multiple counties must clearly show impact in Spartanburg County and that the funds will remain in Spartanburg County.
Organizations must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal non-discrimination laws and policies.Grants from the Spartanburg County Foundation are for a period of one year.The Spartanburg County Foundation seeks to support organizations who can demonstrate the following:Alignment with the Foundation’s mission and vision.
Services that help Spartanburg County residents achieve their human potential.
Data-informed responses to one or more of the three Continuous Improvement areas (Quality of Life, Educational Achievement, & Economic Mobility).
Comprehensive measurement and evaluation tools that track organizational and programmatic outcomes.
Potential to leverage funding from multiple sources.

Ineligibility

Organizations that have received the Spartanburg Community Thanksgiving Service offering in the
past five years are not eligible to apply.
The Spartanburg County Foundation does not Generally Provide Funding for:Organizations that have been operating for less than one year.
Annual fund campaigns.
Endowments.
Film projects.
Publication of books or reports.
Fundraising events, celebrations, or dinners.
Other grantmaking institutions.The Spartanburg County Foundation does not Provide Funding for:Lobbying activities, political organizations, or candidates for public offices.
Direct grants to individuals.
Organizations that require membership in certain religions, require participation in a religious activity, or advance a particular religious faith.Faith-based organizations with a 501(c)3 status may be eligible if they welcome and serve all members of the community regardless of religious belief.Research that is of a non-community nature or that does not have promise of near-term benefits to the residents of Spartanburg County.
Debt reductions, deficits, or previous obligations.
Retroactive expenses/activities.
Individual schools, including public, private and charter schools.If the project or program is district or county-wide, please contact the Spartanburg County Foundation.