Our Mission
Trident United Way is a catalyst for measurable community transformation in education, financial stability and health.
Our Vision
To be the leader in uniting our community to improve lives.
Thanks to your generosity, TOGETHER WE…
IMPROVED 252,000 LIVES last year.
Achieving this magnitude of impact and change is possible because partners - corporate, community, government and nonprofit - are deeply engaged in the work of Trident United Way.
They GIVE, ADVOCATE and VOLUNTEER.
We thank all those who fuel the mission of Trident United Way.
Trident United Way, A Community Connector
Stories of Impact
Education
Corporate and community support fueled the 2021 Trident United Way Young Leaders United school supply drive to smash past the goal of 2,000 backpacks. The final tally: 2,700 bags filled with essential school items like paper, pencils, erasers, folders, glue sticks, crayons, colored pencils and much more!
“School is much different now from when we went,” said Natasha Jones, W.B. Goodwin Elementary Principal. “We came with everything we needed on the supply list. I stress to my faculty that children not having a pencil will not interfere with us providing them the very best we have to give.”
Thanks to 100 volunteers who sorted and filled the backpacks with $43,000 of donated supplies, six area schools started the year with a bright outlook.
“The (school supply drive) makes sure on day one, students are ready,” Jones said. “From the bottom of my heart, words will never, ever be enough to express how eternally grateful I am.”
Financial Stability
Anna* was facing difficult circumstances as a single parent and working full-time. Her rent was past due and eviction was inevitable. The staff at Trident United Way Berkeley Resource Connection Center (RCC) assisted her with applying for rental guidance through SC Stay Plus program and two partners for legal guidance. In addition, Anna worked with a RCC navigator to begin the credit repair process, develop a budget and update her resume. Anna is thrilled to now have a new job paying double her previous salary. She is using her newly found budgeting skills to manage her money and pay her bills. Anna and family are so appreciative. She is proud to call and share updates on her progress with our RCC team.
*Name and photo changed to protect client privacy.
Health
Diane* shared how she and her husband had been eating more vegetables, especially organic, and reducing the amount of meat because of her health issues and his cancer. As a result of the new healthy choices, their health has been improving significantly. Diane shared that she is juicing carrots she chose from the Free and Fresh fridge. The spaghetti squash caught her eye and we chatted about how to cook it. The fridge is creating incredible opportunities by providing free produce for patrons and allowing library staff to connect with them and talk about healthy eating, sharing cooking tips and more.
Free and Fresh is available at select Charleston County library branches filled with FREE fresh produce with nutrition information and healthy recipes. Sponsors include: Trident United Way and Healthy Tri-County through The Duke Endowment Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas grant, along with Lowcountry Food Bank, Fields to Families and Charleston Friends of the Library.
*Name and photo changed to protect client privacy.
Financial Impact
Throughout the 2019-2020 fiscal year, Trident United Way mobilized more than $7.8 million of your investments to make authentic impact through a combination of robust impact networks, partnerships, grants and capacity-building tools available to the entire community. Community investment decisions are made by the Trident United Way Board of Directors at the recommendation of a committee of trained community volunteers and independent subject-matter experts. Fiscal Year 2019-2020 was year one of a three-year grant cycle.
2019-2020 Investments in our Community
During the 2019-2020 fiscal year, Trident United Way mobilized investments to make authentic impact through a combination of initiatives, capacity-building tools and grants. Additionally, these investments support community engagement through volunteer and advocacy opportunities. As part of the COVID-19 response, we raised, managed and guided an additional $1.1 million. Our hope is that the combination of steady and accelerated philanthropic support helped stabilize the nonprofit sector and our community.
Trident United Way takes its fiduciary commitment to the community very seriously by maintaining the highest standards of accountability and transparency. Visit https://www.tuw.org/financial-reports to review Audited Financial Statements and IRS 990 Forms.
We are stronger together. In a challenging time, you found opportunities to connect and serve your community through it all.
Thank you for choosing to LIVE UNITED.
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