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.
Did you know that only 40% of Americans have the funds to respond immediately to a $1,000 emergency?
The financial stability of every individual and family that makes up Greenville County is imperative to the vibrancy and equity of our community. United Way of Greenville County works to empower people on the journey to financial stability by providing education and training programs that lead to higher-paying careers. We also aim 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.
The Hard Facts
Despite a strong local economy and continued growth, financial stability is an elusive dream for many in Greenville County.
Nearly 60,000 people in Greenville County are living in poverty – 1/3 of which are children. People of color in Greenville County are disproportionately affected by poverty, with 21% of Black and 22% of Hispanic people living below the poverty line, compared to 9% of whites.
Across our community today, many families struggle to stretch their wages to meet the cost of basic needs. Though often not deemed “poor” by official poverty measures, these families lack enough income to meet the rising cost of essentials such as food, housing, transportation and health care.
Approximately 17,400 Greenville County families have an income of less than $25,000, which according to the Self-Sufficiency Standard in South Carolina, would barely be enough to make ends meet for a single person, let alone an entire family.
This visualization shows what monthly budgeting on $25,000 a year looks like for a local family of four:
| Item | Monthly Cost (averaged) |
|---|---|
| Rent/Housing | $1,200 (2 bedroom home) |
| Utilities | $200 |
| Transportation | $108 (two bus passes) |
| Groceries | $600 |
| Healthcare | $200 |
| Child care | $433 |
| Misc. | $300 |
| TOTAL: | $3,041 (-$958) |
community impact
How We Change it
Your support of United Way of Greenville County is an investment in programs and initiatives that create pathways to financial stability through five key steps:
- Learn (employment skills)
- Earn (self-sufficient income)
- Save (protect against personal financial crises and acquire assets)
- Own (home, business or investments)
- Protect (health and property insurance, etc.)
Opportunity Center
Powered by United Way of Greenville County, the center is a one-stop resource hub to improve financial stability and economic mobility options for individuals and families in Greenville County.
VITA
For more than a decade, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has been one of United Way of Greenville County's most impactful financial stability initiatives.
AmeriCorps
Our local program of this national service initiative helps create access to services such as financial classes and tools, educational programs, food and more.
Our Financial Stability Non-Profit Partners
United Way of Greenville County works to empower people on the journey to financial stability by providing education and training programs that lead to higher-paying careers. We also aim 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.
United Way strategically invests in 18 organizations working to increase financial stability in Greenville County.
Able South Carolina
Alston Wilkes Society
Center for Community Services
CommunityWorks
Foothills Family Resources
Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands
Greenville County Human Relations Commission
Greenville County Schools Career and Technology Education and Lifelong Learning
Greenville Literacy Association
Greer Relief & Resources Agency
Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County
Homes of Hope
Jasmine Road
Mill Community Ministries
Soteria World Outreach Ministries
Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources (SHARE)
United Ministries
Upstate Fatherhood Coalition
Play Video
Story
Support Found
Reentering his hometown of Greenville after more than a decade in prison on a drug conviction, Devlin Jackson found the support he needed from United Way and its funded financial stability partners. Today, he’s building a new life and thriving in a career as a commercial truck driver.
Discover your impact’s reach
Whether you give $5 or $5,000, your impact creates lasting social change. See just how far your donation can go.
Your {{ selectedAmount }} contribution would:
Education
Support a local student through the OnTrack Greenville College Fund
Financial Stability
Schedule free VITA appointments for qualifying taxpayers
Communities
Provide a meal for a family of four
Education
Provide afterschool tutoring for one OnTrack Greenville student
Financial Stability
Help file tax returns for two local families
Communities
Provide utility assistance for a Greenville County household
Education
Hire a Student Learning Coach
Financial Stability
File four tax returns for local families
Communities
Purchase a month's worth of groceries for a family of four
Education
Connect a local student with both a learning coach and a mentor
Financial Stability
Provide a down payment for homeownership for a family of four
Communities
Fund a community project in a local neighborhood
Education
Support one OnTrack student for the school year OR Support two teachers for the school year
Financial Stability
Provide financial counseling for two families
Communities
Sponsor a Propel Greenville attendee to build strong nonprofits in our area
Education
Provide a higher education scholarship for an OnTrack student
Financial Stability
Help file tax returns for 30 local families
Communities
Support two households with food security needs for one month
Education
Support one child through summer camp
Financial Stability
Open a Promise Account to provide matched savings and asset management training for one family
Communities
Sponsor a Grassroots Leadership Development candidate / Fund a neighborhood empowerment series
Education
Support four OnTrack students for the school year OR Support eight teachers for the school year
Financial Stability
Provide two individuals with a match of $1,000 to double their savings
Communities
Provide four households with utility assistance up to $500
Education
Fund $1,000 higher education scholarships for three OnTrack students
Financial Stability
Provide financial coaching and case management to 60 individuals
Communities
Support a household with food security needs for six months
Education
Support eight OnTrack students for the school year
Financial Stability
Provide financial coaching and case management to 80 individuals
Communities
Purchase a month’s worth of groceries for 40 Greenville County families
Education
Provide two academic tutors for local students
Financial Stability
Fund a VITA program site for one year
Communities
Sponsor an AmeriCorps member for a full service year
Education
Provide an annual learning workshop for Greenville County teachers
Financial Stability
Provide a down payment for homeownership (2 families of 4)
Communities
Sponsor grassroots community projects in local neighborhoods for one year
Education
Hire an intervention specialist or graduation counselor
Financial Stability
Hire a full-time financial coach to serve 150+ families per year
Communities
Provide housing assistance for three AmeriCorps members during a service year
Education
Hire a full-time school case manager OR Student Health Services employee
Financial Stability
Fund our predatory lending protection program
Communities
Support United Way partner organizations meeting basic needs for our most vulnerable neighbors
You Make the Difference
Your neighbors need your help to overcome poverty in Greenville County. When you support United Way, your gift creates economic opportunity for those who need it most, helping increase income, build assets and save for the future. Give now or sign up to volunteer for one of our many opportunities throughout the year — and help more of our neighbors thrive, not just survive.
Give
No amount is too small to make an impact. Your contribution goes a long way in improving the lives of your Greenville County neighbors.
Advocate
Your voice is a powerful tool for change. We advocate for public policies at all levels of government that support our mission and vision for the future.
Volunteer
Your time is our privilege. Explore United Way volunteer opportunities that will give you a chance to make an impact in our community.