"Through pandemics, depressions and recessions, we are still here for those who need us most thanks to generations of caring, committed community leaders like you."
From our President + CEO
One hundred years ago, on April 24, 1922, the first united fundraising campaign for a collection of local charities was launched, sparking a century of service that helped shape Greenville County into the wonderful place we call home today.
Through pandemics, depressions and recessions, we are still here for those who need us most thanks to generations of caring, committed community leaders like you. Because of your support, and the generosity of so many others over the decades, United Way continues to provide our community with vital services and smart investments in the most effective local initiatives.
Today, our focus is centered on improving economic mobility and making sure everyone who lives here can share in the successes of our community. Across this report, you will see examples of how your support has made an indelible impact, improving the lives of so many individuals and families in Greenville County. Some highlights of your impact in 2022 include:
- $8.2 million invested in Education, Financial Stability and Vibrant and Equitable Community work through grants, direct services, and strategic programs.
- Made more than 30,000 referrals for callers to United Way’s 2-1-1 line in search of help with food, utilities, housing and more.
- Filed nearly 9,000 free tax returns through United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for an economic impact of almost $18 million.
- Supported 4,500 students and their families through OnTrack Greenville.
- Equipped nearly 3,000 students with backpacks and supplies through School Tools.
As we embark on our second century of service, we will continue to count on your partnership and support to change Greenville County for the better.
Please enjoy this look back at our 100th year of service. We hope you are proud of the role you played in making it happen. We absolutely couldn’t do it without you.
With gratitude,
Meghan Barp
President + CEO
at a glance
Thanks to your generous support, we are proud to be able to invest $8.2 million annually through grants, direct services, and strategic programs that serve the people of Greenville County every day.
Through United Way programs and initiatives, and investments in our portfolio of 67 funded partners, last year we helped more than 60,000 people live better lives.
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Funding Breakdown
*Dollars that allow United Way to rapidly respond to community needs and issues as they arise
Funding Breakdown
*Dollars that allow United Way to rapidly respond to community needs and issues as they arise
MISSIOn
We mobilize people and resources to improve lives, strengthen the community and advance equity for the benefit of all.
Vision
A Greenville County where all people have access to the opportunities to achieve their full potential.
EDUCATION
Education is the cornerstone to building a strong, financially stable future. Relevant skills, knowledge, opportunities, and credentials are foundational to people’s ability to support themselves and their families long-term.
Your support of United Way is an investment in programs and initiatives that create brighter futures by helping students start school equipped to succeed, graduate from high school ready for post-secondary education or entry into the workforce, and then become financially stable adults. This includes strategic investments in 32 of the best local programs providing tutoring, mentoring, social-emotional learning, and afterschool programs, as well as our innovative program OnTrack Greenville.
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Thanks to your support, OnTrack Greenville, a transformational, data-driven graduation initiative, now reaches nearly 4,500 students and their families across six of Greenville County’s highest-need schools. By bringing in evidence-based resources and supports, students are better equipped to stay on track to an on-time high school graduation.
The start of the 2022-2023 school year marked new opportunities including new partnerships with elementary schools that feed into OnTrack middle schools, expansion of after school programming, and deepening of family supports. To keep students on the path to success, schools are equipped with additional full-time staff and students have access to summer and after school programming, school-based health centers, family support services, and case management.
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When OnTrack began, the class of 2022 was in sixth grade. Included among this first cohort was Kadence Outz, valedictorian for Carolina High. Kadence shared her powerful story in one of our favorite videos from last year.
School tools
The beginning of the school year should be an exciting time for students and their parents — not one of financial stress and uncertainty. Hundreds of volunteers joined United Way’s School Tools project to alleviate that burden for families in our community.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, volunteers and partners, 3,000 students received backpacks and resources to start the 2022 school year ready to learn.
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IMPACT SPOTLIGHT
African American Leadership Scholarships
In 2022, United Way’s African American Leadership (AAL) group presented eight local students with scholarships to help power their pursuits in higher education. This scholarship fund, established in 2019, was named in honor of AAL founder Judge Merl Code.
FINANCIAL STABILITY
When people earn enough income to be self-sufficient, build savings to weather a personal financial crisis and gain long-term assets like home ownership, our whole community benefits.
United Way empowers people on the journey to financial stability by providing education and training programs that lead to higher-paying careers. We also work to increase access to financial services and benefits — giving people the tools to save and protect themselves against a personal financial crisis, while gaining long-term assets like a home or business.
Your support of United Way of Greenville County is an investment in programs and initiatives that create pathways to financial stability, including 18 proven local partner programs, as well as United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
In 2022, United Way’s VITA program continued offering free tax preparation services to individuals and families in our community.
Thanks to your financial support of United Way and the dedicated commitment of our volunteers and AmeriCorps service members, last year VITA helped almost 9,000 individuals and families file free tax returns, for a total economic impact of nearly $18 million.
Since its first season in 2007, VITA has filed nearly 120,000 returns, saving our neighbors over $22 million dollars in preparation fees and maximizing tax credits and refunds for a total impact of $160,111,662.
IMPACT SPOTLIGHT
Jobs to Careers
United Way’s Women United launched the Jobs to Careers Scholarship in 2010 to offer financial support and guidance to women looking to grow from basic job skills to higher-paying career opportunities. Katie Clark shares how the support from Women United helped her complete her degree and move from a job to a career at United Community Bank.
VIBRANT AND EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES
From Travelers Rest to Fountain Inn, and from Greer to Greenville, we believe all communities should be safe, thriving and equitable — no matter their zip code.
Your support of United Way works to achieve this vision by strategically investing in 21 local partners that provide greater access to basic needs and help support a collaborative nonprofit network to serve our community.
This includes grassroots initiatives like Greenville Dreams, the Faith-Based Roundtable and our award-winning AmeriCorps Upstate program.
United Way’s 2-1-1 community resource line is also improving access to resources. Last year, this unique, non-emergency hotline made more than 30,000 referrals for callers in search of help with food, utilities, housing and more.
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In April of 2022, the Greenville Racial Equity and Economic Mobility (REEM) Commission hired Stacey Mills to be its first executive director. Mills has a decades-long track record as a bridge-builder in his church community, in higher education and across the Upstate.
The REEM Commission, co-chaired by TD Bank South Carolina Market President David Lominack and Judge Merl Code, was formed in the summer of 2020 by United Way of Greenville County, the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and Urban League of the Upstate to convene around matters of racial inequities, social justice, and disparities in key areas that negatively impact the Black community in Greenville County.
In April, the REEM Commission released its Summary Report to the Community, which included recommendations for each of the Commission’s five focus areas: Income and Wealth, Criminal Justice, Education and Workforce Development, Health and Wellness, and Communitywide Learning.
AmeriCorps Upstate helps create access to services for people in need. Our members navigate resources that help community members thrive, such as financial classes and tools, educational programs, food, and social service applications for SNAP benefits and Medicaid. By placing our members at local nonprofits and other service locations, we are able to support opportunities that create vibrant communities for all in Greenville County.
With nearly 20,000 hours served through tax assistance, financial education, resource navigation and more, our AmeriCorps Upstate members contributed an estimated community impact of nearly $600,000 in 2022.
Project Joy
The holiday season can be a difficult time for many, especially for families in our community who are struggling to make ends meet. Project Joy is a great opportunity for our community to spread some cheer during the holiday season and make a very real, and very personal impact in the lives of local families.
While many giving programs focus on younger grades, our work with OnTrack Greenville middle and high schools helped us to identify the needs of our older students.
Your support of Project Joy during the 2022 holiday season provided essential items and fun surprises for 529 students across 11 local schools.
2022 Board of directors
executive committee
Carl Sobocinski
Chair | Table 301
Dr. Saria Saccocio
Vice Chair | CareMore Health
Calvin Calhoun III
Immediate Past Chair | Truist
Tami McKnew
Treasurer | Fox Rothschild, LLP
Karen Baynes-Dunning
Secretary | Baynes Dunning Consulting
Pastor Sean Dogan
Community Impact Committee Chair | Bon Secours Health System, Long Branch Baptist Church
2022
Board of directors
Our Board of Directors provides overall governance of United Way of Greenville County by monitoring policies and programs, and establishes the organization’s strategic purpose and direction.
Jamie Adair
Adair Strategy & Communications
Jim Akerhielm
JENK, LLC
Yobany Banks-McKay
Retired, United Parcel Service
Justin Benfield
Prisma Health
Dr. Caroline Caldwell
New Mind Health and Care
Dr. Elizabeth Davis
Furman University
The Honorable Chandra Dillard
Furman University and SC House of Representatives (District 23)
David Foster
Greenville News
Anderson Garcia
GE Power
Yukichi Hagins
Yukichi Hagins Realty
Ken Harper
Countybank
Blaine Hart
CBRE
Julio Hernandez
Clemson University
Annmarie Higgins
Community Volunteer
Cal Hurst
Southern First Bank
Mike Kelly
Master Power Transmission
Ray Lattimore
Marketplace Professional Staffing
Amy Linsin
Prisma Health
David Lominack
TD Bank
Deb Long
Bon Secours St. Francis
Adam Murphy
Michelin North America
Carlos Phillips
Greenville Chamber
Sue Priester
Community Volunteer
Dr. W. Burke Royster
Greenville County Schools
Minor Shaw
Micco, LLC
Susan Shi
Community Volunteer
Diane Smock
Attorney and Community Volunteer
John Tripoli
Northwestern Mutual
Wendy Walden
Greenville Technical College
Dan Weidenbenner
Mill Village Ministries
Dick Wilkerson
Retired, Michelin North America
Ryan Wood
UBS
Get Involved
As we look towards the future and our second century of service, we will rely on your continued partnership to make sure families in our community have the resources and support they need to build the life they deserve.
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