The Homeless Prevention Fund is sponsored by United Way of the Piedmont (funded by Bank of America). This fund aims to improve economic mobility for residents and prevent homelessness through interventions like transitional housing, opportunity housing, and community resource coordination. It also supports families escaping homelessness.

Bank of America awards $15,000 grant to Homeless Prevention Fund Bank of America awards $15,000 grant to Homeless Prevention Fund Bank of America has awarded United Way of the Piedmont a $15,000 grant for its Homeless Prevention Fund. The grant will help improve economic mobility for residents within Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union counties. The Homeless Prevention Fund is one of several interventions of United Way’s Bold Goals.

By 2030, the organization wants to decrease the number of individuals below self-sufficiency by 11,000, decrease the number of cost-burdened low-income households by 6,000, and decrease the number of unemployed individuals living in poverty by 75 percent. The fund represents an upstream approach to help families escape homelessness and avoid financial crises.

Bank of America’s grant will help expand United Way's assistance through interventions like transitional housing, opportunity housing, Community Resource Coordinators, and transportation to work. Stacy Brandon, President of Bank of America Upstate, said the grant for United Way illustrates something significant for the three Upstate counties.

“Supporting the United Way of the Piedmont Homeless Prevention Fund is part of Bank of America’s longstanding commitment to advancing economic mobility in the Upstate,” said Brandon. “In partnering with organizations like United Way, we seek to help our neighbors address critical needs and provide resources that create long-term paths for their success.

” United Way of the Piedmont and Bank of America share over 25 years of partnership aimed at increasing and improving financial stability for individuals and families in the Upstate. Since September 2020, 234 households received assistance through the Homeless Prevention Fund.

After connecting with United Way’s Community Resource Coordinators, the fund helped to prevent 212 of those families from becoming homeless and helped 22 families escape homelessness. For more information, visit www. uwpiedmont.

org/boldgoals. Celebrating Our 2026 United in Leadership Award Winners Each year, our United in Leadership Breakfast is one of our favorite moments on the calendar. It's a chance to pause, look around the room, and recognize the companies and organizations whose commitment makes our mission possible.

Their generosity creates true change across Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties, and we don't take that for granted. This year's honorees represent the very best of what partnership looks like. From workplace campaigns that go above and beyond to individuals who pour themselves into their communities — these are the people and organizations that make United Way work.

We're proud to introduce the 2026 United in Leadership Award Winners: Circle of Excellence Awarded to best practice workplace campaigns Cate & Brough, P. A.

Founders Federal Credit Union Lockhart Power McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture Spartanburg Housing William Barnet & Son, LLC New Business Partner of the Year: Union County Schools Large Business Partner of the Year: Timken – Tyger River Small Business Partner of the Year: Hubbard-Hall Public Service Partner of the Year: Spartanburg Water Employee Campaign Coordinator of the Year: Laurel Hurtt, Spartanburg School District 5 Chairman's Award: Jaxon Lang, AFL Thank you to every winner, every nominee, and every partner who shows up for our community year after year.

We are proud to celebrate you and even prouder to do this work alongside you. Union Uplifted Welcomes First Executive Director Union Uplifted, a cradle-to-career initiative with United Way of the Piedmont serving as the lead partner organization, has named its first Executive Director. Joey Haney, retired Union County Schools Superintendent, will step into the role beginning July 13.

Union Uplifted grew from more than two years of deep listening across Union County: 26 community conversations, more than 850 residents who shared their hopes and concerns, and 39 community champions who stepped forward to help shape the work.

It is a partnership anchored by Union County School District, United Way of the Piedmont, and Spartanburg Academic Movement, with partners from healthcare, business, higher education, government, faith communities, and the nonprofit sector. Guided by the StriveTogether framework, Union Uplifted is designed to ensure that every child in Union County has the support they need from prenatal through career.

High School Students Help Shape Spartanburg Philanthropy When United Way of the Piedmont established the Spartanburg Youth Philanthropy Board in 2014, the idea was straightforward: give high school students a seat at the table, let them learn how community investment works, and trust them to lead. More than a decade later, the 2025-2026 Board showed what that idea looks like in action.

This year's Board brought together 26 members from seven high schools across six school districts, logging more than 215 hours of service across our community through the Fall Food Drive, MLK Day of Service, the OneSpartanburg Internship Fair, and the Spring Breakout, held in partnership with the City of Spartanburg and Spartanburg Academic Movement.

Along the way, they invested $5,000 into six local youth-serving programs through a grant process they helped run, including conducting the interviews themselves. Fifteen seniors graduate this year, most of whom gave two years to this work. Their commitment reflects something broader about what YPB has always been built on: that young people need roles and space to lead in our community.

United in Service: United Way Celebrates Community Volunteers On May 19, we honored the volunteers who make our work possible during our annual Volunteer Celebration. Presented by the Timken Company, the event recognized individuals and teams whose service continues a 90‑year legacy of impact across the region. “At United Way of the Piedmont, our vision is a community where everyone thrives.

For 90 years, that vision has held because people chose to show up for one another. ” shared Angela Halstead, Board of Directors Chair-Elect. “That commitment shows up in bold ways and quiet ones: through volunteers who lead with heart, partners who collaborate for greater impact, and investments that help families build financial security.

” United Way extends our deepest gratitude to the incredible people who have united in service with us, and we congratulate each of this year’s outstanding award recipients. 2026 Volunteer Celebration Award Winners Women United Award: Lucy Woodhouse Tomeka Pierce African American Leadership Society Award: Pierre Brewton Walter S.

Montgomery Young Leader Award: Amanda Champion Advocate of the Year: Joey Haney Tom Barnet Award for Volunteer Service: Carey Rothschild Community Partner Award: A Place to Call Home & The Faith Initiative to End Child Poverty We also recognized the following groups that gave their time to our programs and investments this past year: Board of Directors AmeriCorps Members Community Investment Process Volunteers Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Volunteers Together, these volunteers, donors, and partners made a true difference for our community.

Explore volunteer opportunities → Leading with Heart in Cherokee County Shay Smith, Community Resource Coordinator Supervisor and Lead Coordinator for United Way of the Piedmont’s work in Cherokee County, is passionate about building relationships that help families move forward.

Through her role, she works closely with local partners, organizations, and residents to strengthen community connections and expand access to critical resources. Her work reflects our commitment to collaboration, ensuring that families across Cherokee County have the support they need to thrive.

As a Lead Coordinator in Cherokee County, Shay helps bring community partners together to address local needs and move collaborative solutions forward. From supporting families with budgeting guidance and connecting them to resources, to training and leading a team of Community Resource Coordinators, her work helps advance our focus on Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, Health, and Community Resiliency.

Living and working in Cherokee County has made the impact even more meaningful for her. She gets to see firsthand partners providing food, parenting resources, shelter, and financial support . “When we can help families connect to resources or stabilize an urgent need, it gives them the opportunity to take a breath and begin planning for their future.

Sometimes just one connection can make a family’s journey a little easier. ” United Way of the Piedmont Welcomes Five New Board Members Five new members are joining United Way of the Piedmont’s Board of Directors. Representing our region across multiple sectors, counties, and backgrounds, each Board Member uniquely strengthens the United Way reach and mission.

Welcome to the new members of the Board: Dr. Lacresha Byrd, Union County Schools Chunsta Miller, Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina Al Swanson, AFL Cal Wicker, Pinnacle Financial Partners Francisca Yanez, Contec, Inc. United Way also thanks all departing Board Members for their years of dedicated service: Donda Bishop, AFL Jennifer Cash, Synovus Bank Shaunté Evans, Spartanburg Housing Mitch Kennedy, City of Spartanburg Beth Lancaster, Spartanburg District 7 Angela Halstead of Coldwell Banker Caine has served on the Board for 4 years and will serve as the new Board Chair.

She shares, "As a Board Member, I have loved seeing the impact United Way makes across all ages and every walk of life, whether it's providing critical assistance to those who need it or offering donors and volunteers a chance to be part of something truly collaborative. Very few organizations are able to touch so many lives, and I’m honored to serve as Board Chair and continue my part in this mission.

” View United Way’s full Board of Directors → What Volunteerism Means to Me and Why It Matters for Today’s Youth Written by Anna Grace Kellam, United Way of the Piedmont intern and student at Oakbrook Preparatory School in Spartanburg If you had asked me before I started volunteering what it really meant, I probably would’ve said something simple—helping others or giving back.

But through my experiences, especially interning with the United Way of the Piedmont, I’ve come to realize it’s much more personal than that. Volunteerism isn’t just about completing service hours or checking a box. For me, it’s been about finding where I fit in my community and realizing that even small actions can make a real difference.

It’s easy to think that one person can’t do much, but volunteering showed me that change actually starts with individuals who are willing to show up. One of the biggest things I’ve taken away is how much you grow through serving others. Yes, you’re helping your community; but, you’re also building confidence, learning how to communicate, and developing leadership skills without even realizing it at first.

Power of the Purse Raises Over $6,000 for Women Facing Housing Insecurity On March 26, 78 women from across our region gathered at Dillard's Spartanburg for a night of fashionable fun and lasting change. Women United's Power of the Purse event had it all: elegance, purpose, and many moments of connection. Over $6,000 was raised in a single evening to support local women facing housing insecurity right here in our tri-county footprint.

Every purse bid, raffle ticket, and ticket purchased added up to resources, stability, and hope for neighbors who need it most. "Evenings like this remind us why we do this work," said Taylor Miller, United Way of the Piedmont. "When I looked around that space and saw those incredible women raising money, laughing, and giving — all for a neighbor they may never meet — that's the power of this community."

Power of the Purse is one night, but the work of Women United goes on. Women United is a strong local community of women who use their strength to lift others up through year-round philanthropy and engagement . In addition to their hard work, this event was a success because of our amazing sponsors, purse donors, and every single woman who bought a ticket, brought a friend, and showed up ready to give.

This year’s Power of the Purse was just the beginning, and we’re excited to see what we do together next.

Special thanks to our 2026 Power of the Purse sponsors: Prada: Dillard’s Spartanburg Kate Spade: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Coco Chanel: Jeter Hrubula Wealth Strategies United Since 1936: Celebrating 90 Years The Foundation On November 15, 1936, a group of community members and local agencies gathered in Spartanburg with a shared question: What if we started working together to meet local needs?

Out of that gathering, the United Campaign in Spartanburg was born, which was a collective effort to fill gaps in services and raise funds for the good of all. File with Confidence: Free Tax Preparation Services Available Tax season can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. If you or someone you serve needs help filing taxes this year, there are trusted, free resources available for people right here in our community.

In-Person Tax Help Through VITA Our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) clinics are open through mid-April and ready to help. Through the IRS-supported VITA program, households earning $67,000 or less per year can receive free, in-person tax preparation assistance from IRS-certified staff and volunteers.

This service helps ensure returns are filed accurately and that families receive the credits and refunds they’re eligible for. Appointments are available for eligible individuals and families living in Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties. To schedule an appointment, call 2-1-1 or 1-866-892-9211.

Prefer to File From Home? For households earning under $89,000 annually, free online filing is available through MyFreeTaxes. com.

This secure, easy-to-use platform allows individuals and families to file both federal and state taxes at no cost from the comfort of home. Last-Minute Tax Clinic: Walk-Ins Welcome Need help close to the deadline? Our team and volunteers will provide a Last-Minute Tax Clinic in April for anyone who needs support before Tax Day.

No appointment necessary—just come by during clinic hours for assistance. Find the details below: CC Woodson April 14 from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Walk-ins accepted all day Learn More & Share Accurate tax filing can mean larger refunds, access to valuable tax credits, and greater financial security for local families. Please share this information widely with clients, neighbors, and community members who may benefit.

Additional information can be found here → P. O. Box 5624, Spartanburg, SC 29304