Lip Sync Battle Spartanburg
We raised over $760,000 – we will be back in the Fall of 2025!
Charles Lea Center Foundation
Who We Are
The mission of The Charles Lea Center Foundation is to raise awareness about the Charles Lea Center and to provide funds, primarily from the private sector, to assist the Center’s mission of improving the quality of life for those with disabilities and special needs.
The Foundation was established in 1985. Donations of cash, stocks and gifts-in-kind to the CLC Foundation are generally tax deductible.
Asa Ramirez - CLC Foundation Board Member
Annual Fund Drive
Each year in November, an annual fund solicitation letter is sent to a broad list of prospective donors (including past and current supporters) seeking contributions for the CLC through the Foundation.
The Gil Hooper Society of Giving
The Charles Lea Center Foundation established the Gil Hooper Society of Giving as a leadership giving society for donors who wish to make unrestricted gifts at an amount that can make a significant impact on annual grants and operations. Named for the CLC’s founder and first executive director Gilman S. Hooper, the starting membership gift is $1,000 (cumulative) annually.
Annual Fundraising Events
Road Rally
One the Charles Lea Center Foundation’s signature fundraising events for 36 years is “a scavenger hunt in a car” which leads carloads of participants through a mystery or puzzle with driving clues that take them around the community. A fun, celebration dinner follows the rally with a DJ, dancing, family friendly games and prizes. Sponsorships opportunities range from $250 to $10,000 and offer many great marketing options. Tickets for our celebration dinner are $50 per person.
Kiwanis Pancake Supper
For More than 40 years, the Spartanburg Kiwanis Club has put on a pancake supper to benefit the Charles Lea Center. Food and paper products are donated by Denny’s Corporation and Kiwanians sell space in newspaper advertisements and tickets to raise over $25,000 from this event.
March Campaign Celebration – Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. To help raise awareness our goal is to fill up the March calendar with locally-owned business partners. We will encourage community members to visit their stores/companies and in return the business owners will support us! We are having a wonderful response by local merchants who are participating by either choosing a day(s), week or the entire month to host what we are calling a “give back” day(s) to the CLC Foundation. We are so thankful for the support of small businesses and excited to urge everyone to support them as well. Essentially, these businesses are making “Dreams Possible” for our 1,500 individuals with special needs and disabilities right here in Spartanburg County. We like to call our partners “Community Champions” and we appreciate their commitment to help us spread awareness and raise funds. This campaign is a collaborative effort and we want to make sure all the
Donate Now!
There are a lot of ways you can donate!
Click here
or below for our secure online donation form.
or below for our secure online donation form.
The vision of the Charles Lea Center Foundation is that sustained financial resources are available to the Charles Lea Center for future generations.
Foundation History
In 1985 the Charles Lea Center Foundation was established. Click below to read its history and how it has touched and improved the quality of life for countless individuals with disabilities in Spartanburg County.
