Colonel Springs |
Col. Elliott White Springs
was a World War I flying ace, a successful author and a leader
in the textile industry. Col. Springs had a deep and personal
concern for the people in the areas where Springs Industries
facilities were located and, in 1942, established the Springs
Foundation, Inc. Serving as the Foundation’s first President,
his early contributions and later estate planning provided the
initial funding for The Springs Close Foundation. |
Mrs. Springs |
Col. Springs’ wife,
Frances Ley Springs, was active in the work
of the Foundation and her estate later provided the means to
expand this philanthropic work over a wider geographic area.
This was done through the Frances Ley Springs Foundation established
in 1968. Mrs. Springs was the second major donor to the Foundation. |
Bill Close |
After the death of Colonel Springs in 1959,
H.W. (Bill) Close was named President of the
Springs Foundation, Inc. and also served as the first President
of the Frances Ley Springs Foundation. For over 30 years, he
provided strong and effective leadership for both Foundations
as a Director, President and later Chairman of the Board. |
Anne Close |
After Bill Close died in 1983, his wife
Anne Springs Close was named Chairman of the Board
and continues in that capacity today. Anne is also the daughter
of Col. Elliott White Springs. Bill Close became the first Close
to be a major donor to the Foundation, and, as a result, the
Frances Ley Springs Foundation was renamed the Close Foundation
after his death. |
| The Foundations established their first full-time
management position in 1972 with Charles Bundy as President.
H.W. (Will) Close, Jr. was named President of both Foundations
in 1997 and served as President until 2002. Angela (Angie) McCrae now serves as President. In July 2003, the two Foundations
merged and is now known as The Springs Close Foundation, Inc. |
|
The Foundation’s mission is to continue Colonel Springs’ legacy of giving back to communities that contributed to the family’s prosperity.
Since it was chartered, The Springs Close Foundation,
Inc. has contributed over $92 million to a wide variety of charitable
and educational causes designed to improve the quality of life and
well-being of the people in Chester, Lancaster and York Counties.
There are three major areas of program interest:
- Recreation & Environment
- Public Education & Early Childhood
Development
- Community Service & Health
The Foundation follows a philosophy that resources
are here to assist community groups and agencies with programs and
projects that will contribute the most to improving the quality
of life for the people in its service area. The Springs Close Foundation
will often share knowledge and experience that may expand the design
of a particular program.
The Foundation manages a no-interest student loan
program for young people who attend a four-year, accredited, degree-granting
college in South Carolina or York Technical College in Rock Hill.
Loans are made to students who live in, or whose parents are employed
in Chester County, Lancaster County or Fort Mill Township.
Southeastern
Council Of Foundations
Council
On Foundations
Leroy
Springs & Company, Inc. |
