United Way of Greenville County today announced a new annual investment of $3.75 million across 67 community partner organizations working to improve lives, strengthen the community and advance equity in Greenville County.

United Way’s volunteer Board of Directors unanimously approved the impact investment plan, which includes $1.48 million to education programs and initiatives; $1.25 million to financial stability efforts; and more than $1 million to vibrant and equitable community work.

“Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we are proud to be able to make these strategic investments in our community,” said Meghan Barp, president and CEO of United Way of Greenville County. “Working together with our partners, we must do all we can to increase economic mobility and educational opportunities for marginalized, disconnected communities, and reduce social and economic barriers so that all who live in Greenville County have access to opportunities to thrive.”

The announcement culminates 18 months of work by United Way staff and its Board of Directors, beginning with a deep data analysis of its Neighborhood Change Study, Race and Economic Mobility Equity Index, Community Needs Assessment and ongoing community conversations. The result of that work was a strategic shift by United Way to a more concentrated focus on improving economic mobility for individuals and families in Greenville County through education, financial stability and equity initiatives.

“The way in which we fund, scale and build the capacity of our partners has evolved to meet the current challenges we face in Greenville County,” said Barp. “We’ve set bold goals for ourselves to help bring about real, meaningful change in Greenville. In order to reach those goals, we’ve had to analyze every part of our organization to ensure we’re maximizing each dollar donated.”

A competitive Request for Proposals was released this summer with 125 applications submitted by 107 organizations, totaling more than $13 million in funding requests.

“The combination of limited resources and so many worthy applications made this an extremely competitive process,” said Jason Richards, chair of the United Way of Greenville County Board of Directors. “This list of 67 approved partners distinguished themselves by demonstrating they have the capacity and expertise to make meaningful and measurable progress towards United Way’s impact goals through proven programs and a commitment to a more equitable Greenville.”

Among the 67 selected agencies, 16 are new United Way partners:

Behavioral Health Coalition, Mental Health America of Greenville County
Bridges to a Brighter Future at Furman University
Fountain Inn Kid Enrichment Center
Greenville Housing Fund
Greenville Chamber Foundation LaunchGVL
Greenville Partnership for Philanthropy
Greenville Tech Foundation African American Male Scholars Initiative
Jasmine Road
Mosaic Educational and Arts Program
Nicholtown Child and Family Collaborative
Pride Link
Root & Rebound
Soteria World Outreach Ministries
Step By Step Ministry Hope Project
United Housing Connections
Unity Health on Main

Existing United Way partners awarded funding are:

A Child’s Haven
Able South Carolina
Alianza Hispana/Hispanic Alliance
Alston Wilkes Society
Center for Community Services
City of Greenville Parks & Recreation
CommunityWorks
Compass of Carolina
The Family Effect
Fostering Great Ideas
Friends of Momentum Bike Clubs
Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands
Thrive Upstate
Greenville County First Steps
Greenville County Human Relations Commission
Greenville County Parks, Recreation, & Tourism
Greenville County Schools Career and Technology Education and Lifelong Learning
Greenville Free Medical Clinic
Greenville Homeless Alliance
Greenville Literacy Association
Greer Relief & Resources Agency
Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County
Homes of Hope
Institute for Child Success
Julie Valentine Center
Legacy Early College
Little Steps
Mental Health America of Greenville County
Meyer Center for Special Children
Mill Community Ministries
Neighborhood Focus
New Horizon Family Health Services
New Mind Health and Care
NonProfit Alliance
Pendleton Place
Pleasant Valley Connection
Project Host
Safe Harbor
Senior Action
Slater Marietta Health and Human Services
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School
Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources (SHARE)
Taylors Free Medical Clinic
The Phillis Wheatley Association
The Salvation Army
United Ministries
Upstate Fatherhood Coalition
Upstate Warrior Solution
Urban League of the Upstate
YMCA of Greenville
Youthbase

Funding begins in October 2020 and will continue through December 2021.