Fort Mill, SC – Anne Springs Close, Chair of The Springs Close Foundation, announced today that Angela McCrae will retire on September 1, 2020 after 23 years with the organization. She will remain as an advisor to the Foundation.
“Angie has been a dedicated leader of The Springs Close Foundation. Her engagement with not only the community but with regional and national nonprofit organizations that allowed us to implement new ideas locally has been a hallmark of her tenure. I’m particularly proud of the Fabric of the Community Awards that Angie piloted to recognize contributions of others to our communities. Angie’s selfless leadership and determination to improve our communities has served the Foundation well,” says Ms. Close.
McCrae began her career with the Foundation in 1997 as its first Program Director. In that role, she developed and implemented the first formal grant application process and worked closely with the Community Advisory Committees as well as the Close Scholars Program, established at Winthrop University in 1998.
McCrae was named Executive Director in 2002, and was appointed President of The Springs Close Foundation five years later in 2007. Under her leadership, she oversaw the merger of the Springs and Close Foundations, navigated the Foundation through the 2008 recession and temporarily reset its focus to emergency needs for food, shelter and medical care. In 2016, McCrae led the evolution of the Foundation’s Community Advisory Committees into Community Boards, empowering them with the authority to make grant decisions. Throughout her career, McCrae has been active in a number of professional organizations, including the Southeastern Council of Foundations and the National Center for Family Philanthropy.
To mark the Foundation’s 70th Anniversary and $100 million giving milestone, McCrae launched the “Fabric of the Community” Awards, a five-year program leading up to its 75th Anniversary, which recognized 15 area volunteers and nonprofit/business leaders for their community service.
“I have personally gained so much throughout my years with the Foundation,” says McCrae. “It has been an honor to advance this amazing family’s belief that giving back to others is critical to a happy and fulfilled life. I’ve met so many people on this path who have deepened my understanding of philanthropy; I am grateful that I will continue to be connected to this work.”
Michele Lineberger, who joined the Foundation in 2017, will be promoted to the role of Executive Director.
About the Springs Close Foundation
The Springs Close Foundation is a $30 million family foundation headquartered in Fort Mill, South Carolina. It was founded by Col. Elliott White Springs in 1942 and has given more than $118 million in grants to Chester, Lancaster and York Counties, to help support and improve the communities that once housed the textile mills of Springs Industries.