CommunityWorks

Meet Will, CW's Business Support Program Director! An entrepreneur himself, he enjoys having conversations that are open, honest, strategic, and always supportive. Will assists entrepreneurs in balancing growth, facing challenges, and pursuing success.

Will would love the opportunity to:
-Learn about your Aspirations
-Analyze your financials
-Develop an Action Plan
-Establish Accountability
-Ultimately become your Advocate.

Learn about how CommunityWorks helps small businesses reach their goals by visiting our website. https://communityworkscarolina.org/

Did you know CommunityWorks supports energy efficient initiatives through our loan products? As small businesses, developers, and non-profits strive for sustainable growth, implementing eco-friendly practices can lead to significant benefits.
CommunityWorks is committed to supporting these green initiatives through our comprehensive loan products. By investing in energy efficiency and sustainability, small businesses, nonprofits, and developers might be eligible for tax credits. They can attract customers interested in green practices while also reducing utility costs.
Are you ready to make your business more sustainable? Contact us today to learn more about our loan options and how we can support your eco-friendly initiatives.
https://communityworkscarolina.org/growing-your-business.../

Are you a PRISMA Health employee looking to buy a home? CommunityWorks offers down payment and closing cost assistance for homebuyers in partnership with PRISMA Health. Ready to take the next step towards homeownership? Reach out to CommunityWorks today! 🏡✨

Wedding season is here, and we’re celebrating with Love Me Some Lace!

Taylor Carter Patenaude and her mother, Veronica Belle-Carter, are the driving force behind Love Me Some Lace, a bridal boutique in Spartanburg. In its startup phase, Love Me Some Lace secured a loan from CommunityWorks, which not only provided financial support but also offered valuable insights. “We would recommend CommunityWorks,” Veronica told us, “because not only do they provide suggestions and opportunities to fund your business, especially in the start-up phase, but also throughout the process.”

Taylor and Veronica were featured in our 2023 impact report, which you can read by tapping the link below.https://communityworkscarolina.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Impact-Report-2023-FINAL.pdf-1.pdf

Ready to invest in your business and access up to $500 in savings? After a successful debut, registration is now open for the second edition of our Business Credit Builder Blitz. Learn about how CommunityWorks can help you build personal and business credit and create savings for your business. By the end of the Blitz, participants will have set up a Credit Builder account and have gained access to free financial and business coaching. Spots are limited! Click the link in the bio to learn more and register!

Since opening in 2020, the CommunityWorks Women’s Business Center has seen over 100 business owners graduate from our virtual ten-week MicroEntrepreneur Training. Registration is now open for the next class, starting on August 21st at 6 pm. Join NxLeveL® facilitator Paul Smith to brainstorm ideas, develop plans, and gain essential entrepreneurial skills. Spots are limited, so claim your spot by registering using the link in the bio!

As Pride Month comes to a close, CommunityWorks recognizes and celebrates the contributions of LGTBQ+ entrepreneurs. According to the LGBTQ+-owned Businesses contribute an estimated $1.7 trillion to our nation’s economy. CW values everyone and is committed to be a place where all historically disadvantaged groups can find accessible financial products and services. Happy Pride!

We had the opportunity to participate in two community events to commemorate Juneteenth - the City of Greenville's celebration at Unity Park and the United Way of Anderson's African American Leadership Society's Dream Gala. At the Dream Gala, CW CEO LaTorrie Geer passed on her 2023 Community Trailblazer Award to this year's winner Bobby McGowens. At the City of Greenville event at Unity Park we connected with community members and shared information about our programs and services, while celebrating the rich cultural heritage and history of Juneteenth.

From the founding of the first LGBTQ+ rights organization in 1924 to the landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2020, join us in honoring these historic moments and the courageous individuals who paved the way for a brighter future!

This week, CommunityWorks is celebrating Juneteenth! Our offices will be closed on Wednesday, but we are commemorating the occasion with a staff lunch catered by a Black-owned business and by participating in Unity Park’s 3rd annual Juneteenth local resource showcase where we’ll share all about CommunityWorks and our mission with community members. We’ll also be attending the United Way of Anderson’s Dream Gala hosted by the African American Leadership Society.

Juneteenth symbolizes freedom, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of justice. It marks the day news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, three years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the proclamation. This day serves as a reminder of progress made while recognizing the work that still lies ahead.

We acknowledge the deep-rooted impacts of racism, segregation, and discrimination in our country's history and recognize the unique challenges they pose to advancing racial equity. We recognize that Black communities often lack equitable access to opportunities and reaffirm our commitment to uplifting and empowering communities that have been underserved through our focus on financial equity.

Looking to learn new skills to help grow your business? Join us for this FREE virtual 2-day class from the WBC covering budgeting, credit, and financial decision-making skills. By the end of this course, you will understand the mindset and mechanics of finances and have a framework to prepare your personal finances for business success.

Class will be via Zoom on Wednesday, June 26th and Thursday, June 27th, from 6 to 7:00 pm. Register today!

CommunityWorks joined funding and housing partners to celebrate the opening of The Sullivan, an affordable housing development in Greenville. The Sullivan includes amenities such as a swimming pool, playground and fitness center and collaborates with residents to determine how to best address community needs. We’re grateful to be a part of this innovative and collaborative project that brought together public and private partners.

We are excited to announce that CommunityWorks has received a $30,000 grant from the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina's Spring 2024 Breaking the Cycle initiative. This support will help us further our mission of creating brighter futures for underserved people and places in South Carolina. Together, we are creating opportunities for everyone to achieve financial equity and economic mobility. Thank you !

We are excited to team up with the Upstate Bookkeepers Alliance for a discussion on lending options for small businesses! Sign up below to hear from our CEO, LaTorrie Geer, about CommunityWorks and the support we offer.

Upstate Bookkeepers Alliance - Lending for Small Businesses Join us at the Upstate Bookkeepers Alliance for a discussion on lending options for small businesses, all from the comfort of your own home!

We’re hiring! Visit our website for more details on our current job openings.

We are finishing up with an interview featuring our Small Business Loan Officer, Miguel Ortiz-Aldana, where he shares insights on financing, business support beyond loans, and the power of discipline in driving small business success. Dive into the conversation and discover how CommunityWorks is supports entrepreneurs by clicking the link. https://communityworkscarolina.org/small-business-week-interview-with-small-business-loan-officer-miguel-ortiz-aldana/

Celebrating with CommunityWorks! Did you know CommunityWorks has supported projects in 38 counties across South Carolina? From access to capital to business support, our team is committed to fueling small businesses.

How are you celebrating Small Business Week? At CommunityWorks, our team is participating in events around the state to connect with and celebrate small businesses. We are committed to helping entrepreneurs thrive by offering access to capital, education, and business support. Let's celebrate the spirit of small business owners this week and every week. Together, we're helping build wealth and brighter futures!

CommunityWorks is thrilled to support Upstate Warrior Solution in assuming ownership of the Rupert Huse Veteran Center, which provides resources for workforce development, housing stability, and other services for local veterans. This milestone, not only marks a year of impactful service at the Rupe, but also signifies our commitment to supporting the critical work of the nonprofit community and collaborating with impactful organizations like Upstate Warrior Solution. Together, with our partners at South State Bank, we're proud to invest in a brighter future for Upstate veterans and their families.

Are you looking to save and jumpstart your credit to prepare your business for future financing? Don’t miss the first-ever Business Credit Builder Blitz starting on May 9th! This two-day event will give you all the information you need to know to set up a Credit Builder account at CommunityWorks. By the end of the Blitz, participants will have set up a Credit Builder account and have gained access to free financial and business coaching. Participants are invited to join in person at the CommunityWorks Learning Center in Greenville, SC OR the Bluffton Library in Bluffton, SC OR Virtually via Zoom.

To find out more details about the Credit Builder and our Business Credit Builder Blitz, click the link below!

Are you looking to save and jumpstart your credit to prepare your business for future financing? Don’t miss the first-ever Business Credit Builder Blitz starting on May 9th! This two-day event will give you all the information you need to know to set up a Credit Builder account at CommunityWorks. By the end of the Blitz, participants will have set up a Credit Builder account and have gained access to free financial and business coaching. Participants are invited to join in person at the CommunityWorks Learning Center in Greenville, SC OR the Bluffton Library in Bluffton, SC OR Virtually via Zoom.

To find out more details about the Credit Builder and our Business Credit Builder Blitz, click the link below!

Business Credit Builder Blitz - CommunityWorks Carolina Don’t miss the first-ever Business Credit Builder Blitz! This two-day event will give you all the information you need to know to set up a Credit Builder account at CommunityWorks. This unique product is perfect for business owners who want to create savings for their business and prepare for futu...

Tony Ashmore is the entrepreneur behind Ashmore Vending in Greenville, SC. With a clear vision of expanding his vending business, he sought support from CommunityWorks. Because of the microbusiness loan he received and the growth of his business, Tony was able to secure an additional truck and expand his fleet of machines. Read more about his story on our blog.

https://communityworkscarolina.org/small-business-stories-tony-ashmore/

Meet our 2024 Board of Directors, a team of community leaders dedicated to making a positive impact. We’re excited to have several new faces and are energized to continue our mission in an ever-changing landscape.

Ready to build your brand? Join us for Doing Business with Intention, a four-day workshop designed for startups looking to grow their business. Instructor Ebony Sullivan will equip you with the tools to analyze finances, strategize for growth, and foster a sustainable relationship with your business. Don’t miss out! Sessions are on Saturdays, May 4th - May 25th, from 8:30 am - noon. Register using the link in the bio!

The CommunityWorks Women’s Business Center was featured in a piece by Upstate Business Journal highlighting our commitment to empowering entrepreneurs. Check out the article to learn more about how we're making strides and fostering growth for women-owned businesses.

CommunityWorks Women’s Business Center aims to educate, support female entrepreneurs - UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL One local resource available to minority and female entrepreneurs is the CommunityWorks Women’s Business Center.

For the second year in a row, CommunityWorks sponsored the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI) program alongside the Greenville Housing Fund and McMillan Pazand Smith. The REDI program is an intensive cohort learning experience for professionals of color working in real estate and land-use industries. This year’s cohort graduated at the CommunityWorks Learning Center at JudHub after a 12-week curriculum covering everything from site planning, market analysis, project financing and more. CommunityWorks is actively backing graduates as they continue their work in affordable housing development. Congratulations to this year’s graduates!

On Tuesday, April 16th, NextGen is hosting a Founders Forum! Discover the keys to getting to becoming profitable and gain insights from an experienced CFO, learning practical strategies.

Founders Forum is an educational series for entrepreneurs, taught by entrepreneurs and subject matter experts in key areas of focus for all startups. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to hear about tips and tricks to make your business profitable faster. To learn more about this opportunity, click the link below.
https://nextgengvl.org/next-event/profit-first-getting-to-profitability-with-a-product-service-quickly/

The Sullivan Apartments have been honored as the winner of the 2024 CoStar Impact Award as multifamily development of the year. Designed to address Greenville’s need for housing without sacrificing amenities, design or location, the Sullivan Apartments created 180 units in the Berea area. The development was made possible through a funding package that included CommunityWorks. We empower communities through affordable housing. Read more about the Sullivan Apartments and the impact they're making using the link below.

The Sullivan Reimagines Possibilities for Affordable Apartment Development in Upstate South Carolina Multifamily Development of the Year for Greenville/Spartanburg

Our 2023 Impact Report is now available!

We're excited to share our 2023 Impact Report, highlighting our achievements and impactful stories about the people we serve. We extend our deepest gratitude to our clients and partners for their unwavering commitment to creating positive change.

We are committed to our mission of building brighter futures and are grateful for your trust in our work and organization. Explore the report on our website or pick up a copy at our office! Join us in celebrating as we look forward to continued growth and learning.