Our Work

10-YEAR GOAL
Decrease the number of Greenville County households that spend more than 40 percent of total household income on housing cost.

The key economic factors affecting the ability of the average person to achieve long-term financial stability include the lack of economic mobility, soaring personal debt, and wealth inequality. In Greenville County more than 65,000 people (15 percent) live below the federal poverty line.

More and more, hardworking individuals and families are unable to get ahead financially. Wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of housing, healthcare, and education, and skill levels have not stayed in alignment with changing industry needs.

The road to financial stability is not simple, nor a one-step process. In response, the United Way must focus on a continuum of strategies that will support individuals as they seek to increase income, build savings, and gain and sustain assets. 

    This stepped approach is not just focused on helping people meet their basic needs (food and shelter), but also on achieving long-term financial success for individuals and families. Success will result in outcomes such as home ownership, personal savings, quality childcare and access to health care.

    United Way of Greenville County Financial Stability Initiatives

    Greenville Region Funder Collaborative

    The Upstate region is poised to add another 7,000 jobs over the next few years however, the labor force has limited workers with the core skills to compete for and win the jobs that require the enhanced skills of industry. To address the skills gap that exists in Greenville today, several organization came together to form the Greenville Region Funder Collaborative. The Collaborative was formed to raise, coordinate, and direct funding and advocacy in support of workforce partnerships that develop career pathways, linking low income workers with sustainable employment in industry that is critical to the region. The Collaborative is implementing a dual approach to workforce development and training that focuses equally on the employers and their personnel needs and the potential employee and their skill development. The participating organizations include:

    • City of Greenville
    • Greenville Area Development Corporation
    • Greenville Chamber
    • Greenville County Schools
    • Greenville County Workforce Investment Board
    • Greenville Technical College
    • Greenville Works
    • Personal Pathways for Success
    • readySC
    • South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce
    • South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership
    • University Center of Greenville
    In response to employers’ and low-skill workers’ needs, the Collaborative created a workforce development initiative, a skills development initiative to equip low-skilled members of our community’s workforce with the knowledge and confidence they need for in-demand job enhancement and future, long-term success.  Through this initiative, employers receive well trained entry-level workers who possess the critical skills needed for their businesses' success.

    The Collaborative seeks to accomplish the following:

    • Low-skill workers develop in-demand, marketable skills
    • Workers find and retain employment with sustainable salaries, benefits and career ladders
    • Valued employers in growth industries find and retain skilled workers
    • Capacity and resources for education and skills training are enhanced
    • Public policies that improve economic opportunity are promoted and secured.

    Financial Stability Centers

    A Financial Stability Center is essentially a one-stop source of information for low to moderate income families seeking information and services to that will help them improve their financial stability. These Centers will offer a connected continuum of financial education, opportunities, services and supports through an integrated service delivery system that maximizes on the relationship established between Center staff and families. Services will be offered in a seamless delivery system that eliminates many of the barriers encountered by the families seeking assistance to improve their financial stability.

    The Greenville County Individual Development Account (IDA) Program

    The IDA Program is a matched-savings program for homeownership, education, or small business.  Eligible residents can save up to $1,000 dollars within six to 24 months. While saving, clients must participate in financial literacy classes. For every dollar a participant puts in their IDA savings account, it is matched by another three dollars. For additional information please contact Greenville Housing Fund at http://www.greenvillehousingfund.org.

    Greenville Dreams: Neighborhood Leadership Development

    Greenville Dreams works directly with neighborhood association leaders to help build upon the strengths and assets already present in their neighborhoods. Training and peer support are provided to Special Emphasis neighborhood leaders in the areas of problem-solving, successfully managing and leading a neighborhood association, planning and goal-setting, resources available and effective communication skills. Greenville Dreams is focused on positive change through resident-centered neighborhood development. It is a partnership of United Way, City of Greenville and the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority (GCRA).

    Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

    The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Bank of America, VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance to individuals and families with a household income of less than $49,000 a year. In addition to providing free tax preparation, VITA works to ensure everyone in the community receives all of the tax credits and deductions for which they are eligible.

    Since 2005, the program has helped more than 6,630 local taxpayers generate more than $4.6 million in tax returns. This year, United Way of Greenville County and United Way of Pickens County have partnered to form the United Way VITA Collaborative. Joined by more than 30 partners, including faith-based, public and private organizations, our goal is to help more individuals and families achieve greater financial stability with our free tax preparation services.

    The Benefit Bank

    The Benefit Bank is a web-based screening tool that simplifies and centralizes the process of applying for many state and federal benefits for low and moderate income individuals and families. The Benefit Bank is a part of a community-wide response to poverty and can be utilized by a wide range of community service providers.