Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change Fund
devoted primarily to three primary purposes: 1) to the recognition of individuals who have
demonstrated visionary and entrepreneurial leadership in tackling critical community issues
facing the Spartanburg Community, annually by awarding the Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change; 2) to the support of organizations and individuals who are continually working to bring new and creative ideas to fruition in addressing key community
issues and concerns with a particular emphasis on engaging and empowering citizens at the
grassroots level to work for the greater good of the Spartanburg community; and 3) to the support of high reaching professional development opportunities for individuals who express a desire to advance the field of philanthropy in bold and creative ways, i.e. fellowships, evaluation institutes, etc.