Greenville Women Giving names 6 beneficiaries

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The local women’s collective giving organization Greenville Women Giving has awarded $517,495 in grant funding to six nonprofits across Greenville County.

May 19 marked the organization’s 16th anniversary, which was named Greenville Women Giving Day by Greenville County Councilwoman Liz Seman at the Grant Awards Ceremony held at the Hilton Greenville.

“It is so exciting to see that what began as a simple idea of collaboration — getting a handful of women together to make their charitable giving go farther — has turned into one of the United States’ largest and most successful women’s collective organizations in just 16 years,” GWG Co-Chair Beverly Ward said in the news release. “By working together, we are building a better quality of life for all residents of Greenville County.”

A total of 70 grant applications were submitted to Greenville Women Giving for consideration. To qualify, grants must provide services to meet needs in Greenville County’s arts, environment, education, health and human services communities.

The grants, which range from $50,000 to $100,000, are selected by a member vote.

Since its inception in 2006, GWG has awarded 140 grants to 87 nonprofits for a total of more than $7.6 million, according to a news release.

The 2022 recipients are:

• The Conestee Foundation’s Lake Conestee Nature Preserve will receive $100,000 over two years to create a unique interactive natural outdoor environment for children called the Nature Playscape.
• Greenville Literacy Association will use $76,000 over two years to hire a full-time training and career counselor who will support under-skilled adults.
• Mental Health America of Greenville County will be able to provide software licenses and laptop computers for remote suicide lifeline volunteers and employees with a $76,495 donation.
• Phillis Wheatley Association received $65,000 to fund basic improvements to the Dwight Woods Repertory Theater at the Phillis Wheatley Center.
• Rebuild Upstate was granted $100,000 over two years to preserve and improve low-income, owner-occupied homes in Greenville County.
• Thrive Upstate will put a $100,000 grant toward two ADA vans to transport people to jobs, activities, and opportunities.