United Way of Greenville County

Your vote = your voice. 🗣

With major news focusing on national elections this November, it's easy to miss the impact of your vote in our own community.

Join us in spreading the word about coming up three weeks from today. If you plan to vote in the November election, you must be registered by Oct. 4 (Oct. 7 for vote by mail).

Visit scvotes.gov or vote411.org to register to vote, check your registration status, find what's on your ballot and more.

Congratulations to the extraordinary Carl Sobocinski, this year's Green Day honoree. Join our community in celebrating Carl's tremendous impact as The Greenville Drive goes fully green TONIGHT, Aug. 20.

We can't think of anyone more deserving of this honor. In addition to Carl's incredible work through Table 301 and Euphoria Greenville, he has led the way through his philanthropic work and advocacy on community issues like affordable housing, transportation and workforce development.

An active member of our Board of Directors, Carl served as chair in 2022. We are so thankful for his leadership and how much he cares about Greenville County.

Congratulations, Carl Sobocinski, Your 2024 Green Day Honoree Stroll through downtown Greenville and it won't be long before you notice some wonderful aroma wafting through the air. Chances are, you just passed one of the many restaurants Carl Sobocinski opened here. From Soby's New South Cuisine to the Lazy Goat to Nose Dive to The Jones Oyster Company

The latest FAFSA remodel has led to some issues for students and their families applying for financial aid, but United Way has partnered with Greenville Technical College to offer support for Greenville County applicants.

Our 2-1-1 community resource line is also available to provide general FAFSA application and process information, and we are scheduling appointments at our Opportunity Center to help walk students and their families through the process. Learn more at https://www.unitedwaygc.org/impact/opportunity-center/

Greenville Tech in South Carolina offers support with new FAFSA application Trouble with financial aid continues. The new remodel of FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, was supposed to make the application process easier, but since its launch, it’s been one problem after the other.

Thanks to grant funding from United Way, United Way of Greenville County has partnered with our friends Greenville Technical College to provide guidance and support to students and families navigating the complexities of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Our 2-1-1 community resource line is now ready to provide general application and process information, and we are scheduling appointments at our Opportunity Center to help walk students and their families through the process.

More at https://www.unitedwaygc.org/impact/opportunity-center/

Greenville Tech in South Carolina offers support with new FAFSA application Greenville Tech in South Carolina offers support with new FAFSA applicationSubscribe to WYFF on YouTube now for more: http://bit.ly/1mUvbJXGet more Greenvill...

It was a blast celebrating the impact of thousands of United Way supporters at our sixth annual United Way Night at the Drive.

This community showed up big time to party with us in District 356 and throughout the evening as we recognized the work made possible by your generosity. A huge thanks to The Greenville Drive and to all our partners who joined us to make this week's event so special.

Learn more about all our honorees (including some very special scholarship recipients) and see all the photos from a great night on our blog: https://www.unitedwaygc.org/night-at-the-drive-2024/

Our biggest School Tools yet is in the books!

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of United Way donors, sponsors, and hundreds of volunteers, 5,000 Greenville County students received backpacks, school supplies and community resources.

From Carolina High School to Greer Relief & Resources Agency, Inc. to Center for Community Services, this community came together to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors. On behalf of all of the families supported by your generosity, we thank you.

School Tools was also supported by a tremendous group of sponsors. Thank you to Spinx, Dodge Industrial, Inc., Prisma Health, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Forge Search & Consulting, Greenville Triumph SC, ITW Hartness, Lockheed Martin, McMillan Pazdan Smith, Messer Construction Co., Michelin, Mount Valley Foundation Services, Proterra and QuikTrip.

See more photos and learn more about the impact of on our blog: https://www.unitedwaygc.org/schooltools2024-blog/

Today's the big day! School Tools is here, and we will be providing 5,000 backpacks across the county. Find us from 9am–2pm at Carolina High School, Greer Relief & Resources Agency, Inc. and Center for Community Services. We'll be ready and waiting with new backpacks filled with supplies for all grade levels—as well as community resources, food trucks and more at Carolina High.

Attending our Greenville event? Please follow signage and park in the student lot. The lot accessed from the road will be closed for pedestrian traffic and food trucks.

Unable to make the event? Reach out to us at [email protected] and we will connect you and your family with resources.

School Tools would not have been possible without the investors, volunteers and sponsors who supported us through this season. Thank you to every individual, family, team and organization that stepped up to provide our neighbors with the resources they need to build the lives they deserve.

Thank you to our generous sponsors at Spinx, Dodge Industrial, Inc., Prisma Health, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Forge Search & Consulting, Greenville Triumph SC, ITW Hartness, Lockheed Martin, McMillan Pazdan Smith, Messer Construction Co., Michelin, Mount Valley Foundation Services, Proterra and QuikTrip.

Pictured: Michelin, United Community Bank, ITW Hartness, McMillan Pazdan Smith, Greenville Triumph SC, DP3 Architects and Southern First Bank.

See you soon, Greenville County!

School Tools needs you!

We're in the final stretch and still need your help to reach our goal of 4,000 backpacks. If you haven't joined us, please consider signing up to donate backpacks and supplies or giving to support students in our community.

Together, we can make sure every student starts the school year with the tools they need to achieve their full potential.

Thank you to our generous sponsors for making School Tools possible: Spinx, Dodge Industrial, Inc., Prisma Health, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Forge Search & Consulting, ITW Hartness, Lockheed Martin, McMillan Pazdan Smith, Messer Construction Co., Michelin, Mount Valley Foundation Services, Proterra Inc. and QuikTrip.

School Tools 2024 | United Way of Greenville County Giving Greenville County students the tools they need to achieve their full potential. That’s the ultimate goal of United Way’s School Tools.

Have you been tuning into WYFF News 4 the last several Sundays? Our "4 Ways We Win" series has brought together experts from around our community to discuss how we are breaking down barriers to Housing, Childcare and Education—with our Transportation finale coming up this Sunday.

You can catch all of the interviews from the first three episodes now, featuring a number of United Way partners and community leaders: Greenville Housing Fund's Bryan Brown, Greenville First Steps' Derek Lewis, Institute for Child Success' Megan Carolan, OnTrack Greenville's Dr. Edward Anderson and Greenville County Schools' Dr. Charlotte McDavid.

4 The Record: 4 Ways We Win | United Way of Greenville County United Way of Greenville County joins WYFF 4’s Nigel Robertson for a series discussing 4 Ways We Win: Housing, Childcare, Education and Transportation.

School Tools Saturday is just four weeks away! We can't wait to unite this community to give Greenville County students and their families the tools they need to start the school year ready to achieve their full potential.

We still need you. Whether you sign up to collect backpacks and supplies, join us as a volunteer, sponsor this vital initiative or help spread the word, your support will help us provide more resources to families across our community.

Thank you to our sponsors for making School Tools possible: Spinx, Dodge Industrial, Inc., Prisma Health, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Forge Search & Consulting, ITW Hartness, Lockheed Martin, McMillan Pazdan Smith, Messer Construction Co., Michelin, Mount Valley Foundation Services, Proterra Inc. and QuikTrip.

School Tools 2024 | United Way of Greenville County Giving Greenville County students the tools they need to achieve their full potential. That’s the ultimate goal of United Way’s School Tools.

United Way Night at The Greenville Drive returns to Fluor Field on Tuesday, July 30, to celebrate the back-to-school season with a very special evening of interactive family-friendly fun, impactful volunteer opportunities and a chance to cheer on our home team. Now in our sixth year of United Way Night at the Drive, it's your passion and support that power our work and make this event so special.

The fun begins outside the stadium at 5 p.m. as we transform District 356 into a block party with music, games and a "stuff the bus" donation drive for back-to-school supplies and non-perishable food items—donors will receive a complimentary scoop of ice cream at the game.

We hope to see you and all our on July 30!

United Way Night at the Drive | June 30, 2024 United Way of Greenville County returns to Fluor Field on July 30 for our annual Night at the Drive!

Tune in to WYFF News 4 tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. for the first of four United Way features on 4 The Record with Nigel Robertson. This week's show takes a look at housing in Greenville County, featuring our very own Meghan Barp and Nalisha Henry, and Greenville Housing Fund 's Bryan Brown.

Strong women. Strong community.

Our Women United Summit returns to the Greenville Convention Center on Tuesday, Oct. 1, with a very special guest: bestselling author and speaker Angela Garbes.

Tickets are now available! In addition to individual and group tickets, we're also offering a Community Table this year to enable generous supporters and partners to help create space for community members, educators and leaders making a difference to participate in the event and conversation.

There are several things you can do now to help make this year’s event even more impactful:

• Complete our presenter proposal form to bring your insight and expertise to this half-day event—applications close TODAY, June 21. 🚨
• Apply to be a vendor and share your products or work with attendees.
• Take a brief survey to let us know what topics you’d like to hear covered.
• Sponsor this special event to make a meaningful impact and gain exposure through our partnership.

See you at the summit!

Women United Summit | United Way of Greenville County Join United Way of Greenville County’s Women United for this special event featuring bestselling author and speaker Angela Garbes!

As we continue to address critical barriers and systemic inequities in our community, we must also celebrate the major successes and tireless work of those who have come before us—and those who continue to fight for a just future in Greenville County and beyond.

In honor and celebration of , our office will be closed tomorrow, June 19.

Our Judge Merl F. Code Scholarship application will close this Friday, June 21. Learn more about eligibility, apply today or help share this opportunity across Greenville County.

Together, we can support the next generation of leaders right here in our community.

African American Leadership (AAL) Scholarship The AAL Scholarship is returning to award eight local students with $5,000 scholarships for the 2023–2024 academic year.

As we reflect on another pivotal year for our community, all of us at United Way of Greenville County extend a heartfelt thank you for your partnership in this work. Your generosity has produced strong results, moving us closer to our vision of a Greenville County where all people have access to the opportunities to achieve their full potential.

Dive into our 2023 Report to the Community to explore the impact made possible by United Way investors, volunteers and community partners.

2023 Report to the Community | United Way of Greenville County Through your partnership and support in 2023, we changed thousands of lives across Greenville County. Learn more about our impact in 2023.

Happy 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️! At United Way, we believe in building a future where all people feel safe, supported and celebrated—regardless of orientation, identity or expression.

School Tools returns this summer!

As we prepare for another extraordinary school year, we invite you to join us in supporting Greenville County students with the tools they need to achieve their full potential. There are several ways you can get engaged and support School Tools this year:

1) Provide Supplies: With a goal to distribute more than 3,000 backpacks throughout Greenville County this summer, we need your help collecting backpacks and school supplies. You can also purchase items from wishlists to deliver books and supplies to our office.

2) Lend a Hand: From packing miscellaneous supplies and sorting backpacks to helping out on School Tools Saturday (locations in Greenville, Greer and Simpsonville), there are so many opportunities to serve. We especially need volunteers who are fluent in Spanish.

3) Sponsor a Student's Success: Donations are another terrific way to support School Tools this year, while sponsorships offer an opportunity for local organizations to make a meaningful impact and gain exposure in the community.

It all leads up to School Tools Saturday on July 27. Students and their families are invited to a special back-to-school celebration where they can pick up backpacks stuffed with supplies and connect with local organizations providing free and low-cost resources.

However you choose to help, thank you for supporting Greenville County students and their families. Your generosity will help kids across our community start the school year ready to learn.

Thanks to our sponsors for making School Tools possible: Spinks Family Foundation (Spinx), Dodge Industrial, Inc., Forge Search & Consulting, ITW Hartness, Lockheed Martin, Messer Construction Co., Michelin, Proterra and QuikTrip.

School Tools 2024 | United Way of Greenville County Giving Greenville County students the tools they need to achieve their full potential. That’s the ultimate goal of United Way’s School Tools.

Your vote = your voice!

With Primaries coming up soon, here are several important dates to know:
• Early voting is now open at Greenville County voter registration offices and other early voting centers.
• Friday, May 31 is the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot.
• June 7 is the early voting deadline.

Visit South Carolina Votes to check your registration status, view a sample ballot and more. You can also check out Simple Civics: Greenville County from Greater Good Greenville to learn more about local candidates.

ConGRADulations to the and everyone who played a role in getting this year's grads to the end of their K12 journeys! We can't to see where your paths take you and the impact you'll make here in Greenville County and beyond.

A special shoutout to the OnTrack Greenville team and our OnTrack high schools — Berea High School, Carolina High School and Greenville Early College — where we've seen firsthand the successes of community collaboration. Pics below from OnTrack's Senior Fair where several seniors were awarded the Kathy Dobbins Scholarship.

Have a great summer, Greenville County!

Another impactful tax season is in the books!

Since 2006, our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has been there to help local taxpayers . Our IRS-certified volunteers carefully prepare each return to get all the qualifying credits and refunds into the hands of our neighbors, and ultimately, our community.

This year was a big one. This incredible team of volunteers filed nearly 9,500 returns (over a third of those in Greenville County alone) for a total impact of $13,443,080!

Thank you to each and every one of our VITA volunteers who played a role in the success of our program this year. Together, we're moving our community forward and giving our neighbors the support they need to build the lives they deserve.

AmeriCorps Upstate United Way of the Piedmont United Way of Laurens County United Way of Horry County United Way of Lancaster County, SC United Way of Oconee County United Ministries Greer Relief & Resources Agency, Inc. Greenville County Library System

Strong women. Strong community.

Our Women United Summit returns this October featuring a very special guest: bestselling author and speaker Angela Garbes.

There are three things you can do now to help make this year’s event even more impactful:

1. Complete our presenter proposal form to bring your insight and expertise to this half-day event.

2. Apply to be a vendor and share your products or work with attendees.

3. Take a brief survey to let us know what topics you’d like to hear covered.

All of this and more at unitedwaygc.org/women-united-summit.

We look forward to seeing you at the Greenville Convention Center on Thursday, October 3!

Women United Summit | United Way of Greenville County Join United Way of Greenville County’s Women United for this special event featuring bestselling author and speaker Angela Garbes!

Attention: Greenville County seniors! Our African American Leadership (AAL) Scholarship is now open and accepting applications for the 2024–2025 school year. Learn more about eligibility and apply today.

The application deadline is June 21, 2024.

African American Leadership (AAL) Scholarship The AAL Scholarship is returning to award eight local students with $5,000 scholarships for the 2023–2024 academic year.

Your vote is your voice!

One important date coming up: You must be registered by this Sunday, May 12, to vote in the June 11 primary.

Our friends at Greater Good Greenville have been interviewing local candidates for contested seats over on the Simple Civics: Greenville County podcast.

Check your registration status and see your sample ballot at https://scvotes.gov/.

We had the honor of hosting the extraordinary Dr. Matthew Desmond here in Greenville County to discuss the powerful truth behind our own roles in perpetuating poverty and steps we can all take to not only address it, but prevent poverty in our community and beyond.

The energy and excitement around what we can do to flip the script on poverty was palpable. We must do our part to keep the momentum going for the 38 percent of Greenville County households that struggle to meet the basics each month.

A few of our key takeaways:
1. Poverty can be solved.
2. We all play a role.
3. Now's the time to act.

To be the kind of community we know Greenville County can be, we must do what we can on both an individual level, and as a united community of caring people, businesses and organizations.

Join us to help transform Greenville County into a community where all people have access to the resources they need to build the lives they deserve.

More on our blog: https://www.unitedwaygc.org/poverty-by-greenville-blog/

Thank you to our sponsors at Prisma Health and Community Foundation of Greenville for making this event possible.

*GIVEAWAY*

Have you purchased your ticket? With this special event just days away, we’re upgrading one current ticket holder’s experience with a copy of Matthew Desmond’s “Poverty, By America,” and a book signing with the author following the Q&A.

To enter, share this post and comment below what you love most about our community.

Terms and conditions:
– You must share and comment to be entered to win.
– One entry per person per platform (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram).
– Limited to existing ticketed attendees of Poverty, By Greenville.
– Entries close on Tuesday, April 30, at 5 p.m.
– A winner will be chosen at random and contacted via the comments and DM on either Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.
– If the winner has not responded by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, there will be no winner.

School Tools returns this summer!

This annual back-to-school event brings our community together to give Greenville County students the tools they need to achieve their full potential throughout the upcoming school year and beyond.

We look forward to launching opportunities to give and volunteer soon, but in the meantime, you can sign up to be the first to receive School Tools information at https://www.unitedwaygc.org/school-tools/.

Whether you're interested in packing backpacks, volunteering on School Tools Saturday, hosting a supply drive or sponsoring this special event, we can't wait to work with you to make an impact this summer.

Thank you to Dodge Industrial, Inc. and QuikTrip who have already joined us as 2024 sponsors.

We kicked off with a little event called Hands On Greenville Day.

More than 2,500 volunteers came together on to serve our community and make an impact across Greenville County.

See more photos from an incredible day of community impact and learn how you can get involved on our blog.

Hands On Greenville Day would not be possible with your support or the generosity of our sponsors: Dodge Industrial, Inc., GE Vernova, Kona Ice of Greenville SC, MagnaInternational, Michelin, Westminster Presbyterian Church Greenville, Bausch + Lomb, Current Lighting, GE Aerospace, Graybar, Ingram Micro, ITW Hartness, JTEKT North America, Messer Construction Co., Northwestern Mutual and QuikTrip.

Your Impact: Hands On Greenville Day 2024 More than 2,500 volunteers. 90 teams. $320,000 in economic impact. One extraordinary day in Greenville County. For nearly three decades, United Way Hands On Greenville Day has brought our volunteer…