With a goal of fighting the persistence of poverty in Greenville County, United Way has announced new strategic investments totaling $9 million over the next three years to 48 community partners.

United Way of Greenville County’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the investment plan Wednesday on the recommendation of its volunteer Community Impact Committee. The slate of grantees includes two new organizations — Greenville Connects and Infinite Possibilities — and 46 current United Way partner organizations. Grantees will receive annual funding awards ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 beginning in January.

“The most urgent need facing Greenville County today is fighting the persistence of poverty,” said United Way of Greenville County President and CEO Meghan Barp. “Thanks to the generous support of our investors, we are proud to be able to make these impactful investments in some truly terrific organizations serving our community. Together, we can make sure individuals and families in our community have the support and resources they need to build the life they deserve.”

The announcement culminates more than a year of work by United Way staff, its board of directors and community volunteers, which also included the adoption of a new strategic plan — How We Win — last December. The seven-year plan outlines United Way’s strategy to fight poverty by removing the four strongest barriers to higher earnings for individuals and families in Greenville County: housing, childcare, education and transportation.

In May, United Way released a competitive Request for Proposals with an overarching goal of making larger, more meaningful grants to organizations that strongly align with the strategy. 

Overall, United Way received 80 proposals and a total of $11 million in funding requests. Community volunteers and staff visited each agency and scored proposals based on their strategic alignment and ability to achieve meaningful results.

“The combination of limited funds and so many strong proposals made this an extremely competitive process,” said Dr. Saria Saccocio, chair of United Way of Greenville County’s Board of Directors. “This list of 48 partners distinguished themselves by demonstrating they have the capacity and expertise to make meaningful and measurable progress in the fight against poverty.”

The new funding cycle begins Jan. 1, 2024, and is renewable through Dec. 31, 2026, contingent on the availability of dollars and each organization’s effectiveness in achieving measurable, meaningful results.

2024-2026 United Way Grantees

• Able SC
• A Child’s Haven
• Alston Wilkes Society
• Bridges to a Brighter Future 
• Center for Community Services
• CommunityWorks
• Foothills Family Resources 
• Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina
• Greenville Chamber Foundation
• Greenville Connects
• Greenville County Human Relations Commission
• Greenville County Schools 
• Greenville Housing Fund 
• Greenville Literacy Association
• Greenville Tech Foundation
• Greer Relief and Resources Agency
• Habitat for Humanity
• Hispanic Alliance
• Homes of Hope
• Infinite Possibilities
• Institute for Child Success 
• Jasmine Road 
• Legacy Early College
• Lifelong Learning 
• Meyer Center
• Mill Village Ministries
• Mosaic Educational and Arts Program
• New Mind Health and Care
• Nicholtown Child and Family   Collaborative
• Pendleton Place
• Phillis Wheatley Community Center
• Pleasant Valley Connection
• Pride Link
• Project Host
• Root & Rebound
• Safe Harbor
• The Salvation Army
• Senior Action
• Soteria Community Development Corp.
• Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources, Inc. (SHARE)
• Thrive Upstate 
• United Housing Connections
• United Ministries
• Upstate Fatherhood Coalition 
• Upstate Warrior Solution
• Urban League of the Upstate
• YouthBase
• YMCA of Greenville