The Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving the quality of life in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Presented annually by the Spartanburg County Foundation, the award recognizes individuals who bring innovative ideas to fruition, lead impactful community initiatives, and foster civic participation and engagement. Nominations for the 2025 award are open until 5:00 PM on Monday, December 16, 2024. The recipient will be celebrated during the foundation's Annual Meeting in the spring of 2025.

Eligible nominees must be residents of Spartanburg County, possess strong integrity and character, and contribute significantly to the community, often without being in the public spotlight. If connected to a nonprofit organization through paid employment, nominees must demonstrate a community impact beyond the scope of their professional duties. Self-nominations are permitted, though most nominations are submitted by colleagues or friends, often without the nominee's prior knowledge.

Nominations should highlight the nominee's innovation, leadership, and civic engagement. Applicants are required to provide evidence of the nominee's contributions within the last year, including examples of innovative solutions to critical community issues, leadership in driving community change, and their ability to engage and unite diverse groups within the community. Two specific examples of civic engagement, including measurable impact and accomplishments, are required.

Each nomination must include three letters of recommendation that detail the nominee's community work and impact. Letters should be submitted with the nomination through the online GoApply portal. The nomination process requires creating an individual account on the portal, where applicants can access the opportunity under the name "2025 Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change." Questions regarding the nomination process or letters of recommendation can be directed to Ashley Whitt, Vice President of Grants and Community Impact, at 864-582-0138 or via email.

The award recipient receives a $5,000 grant to donate to the nonprofit organization of their choice, facilitated by the Spartanburg County Foundation. The recipient will also be featured in a video presentation highlighting their work, which will be shown during the Annual Meeting. The honoree will receive a physical award, deliver remarks from the stage, and have the opportunity to announce the nonprofit beneficiary of the grant.

This award is an opportunity to recognize and honor individuals making meaningful, grassroots contributions to Spartanburg County, inspiring others to follow their example and strengthening the community for years to come.