LEADING THROUGH TRANSITION
As we reflect on the past year, it’s evident that Trident United Way has faced a landscape of evolution with dedication and purpose. Under the guidance of our dedicated and tireless Board and staff, we have embraced creative solutions to address the evolving needs of our community, ensuring that vital resources remain accessible to those who need them most.
Our commitment to collaboration has strengthened partnerships throughout the Tri-County area, enabling us to expand our reach and deepen our impact. Together, we have made significant strides in fostering financial stability, enhancing educational opportunities and improving health outcomes for countless individuals and families. It is a testament to what we can achieve when we unite for a common cause.
Mark Lewis
2023-2024 Chair
Trident United Way
Board of Directors
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
As we look ahead, I am filled with optimism for what we can achieve together. Our vision for the future is rooted in our unwavering dedication to serving our community with compassion and efficacy. We will continue to adapt and innovate, leveraging data and insights to guide our initiatives and better meet the needs of our neighbors. I am excited about the opportunities to engage new partners, expand our programs and amplify our impact.
Together, we will build a stronger, more resilient community for all. Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission. The journey ahead is bright, and I invite you to join us as we strive to make lasting change.
David “DJ” Hampton II
President & CEO
Trident United Way
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COMMUNITY LEADERS
Trident United Way is proud to work with all its donors, partners and volunteers whose contributions make a positive impact in our Tri-County community.
The Board of Directors at Trident United Way plays a vital role in guiding the organization’s mission to improve lives and strengthen communities. Comprised of diverse leaders from various sectors, the Board provides strategic direction and ensures accountability.
Leadership Donors at Trident United Way are essential partners in driving transformative change within the community. By contributing at a higher giving level, these individuals demonstrate a deep commitment to the organization’s mission and amplify its impact.
Leadership Volunteers at Trident United Way are dedicated individuals who lend their time and talents to further the organization’s mission. By serving on committees, leading initiatives and advocating for community needs, these volunteers drive meaningful change and enhance the effectiveness of programs.
OUR MISSION
Trident United Way is a catalyst for measurable community transformation in education, financial stability and health.
HEALTHY COMMUNITY
Improving health and well-being for all
YOUTH OPPORTUNITY
Helping young people realize their full potential
FINANCIAL SECURITY
Building financial stability and strength
BERKELEY & DORCHESTER RESOURCE CONNECTION CENTERS
The Resource Connection Centers bring together multiple nonprofit service providers that help individuals and families in the Tri-County achieve and maintain financial stability.
10,453
Total Individuals Served (across all quarters)
5,961
Total Households Served (across all quarters)
3,738
New Households Served (across all quarters)
Combined for both locations from July 2023 - June 2024.
COMMUNITY GARDENS
In partnership with Clemson Extension and the USDA. From September 2023 through August 2024, the community gardens' impact included:
200
Individuals receiving produce from the garden
62
Community Partners involved in community outreach
115
Total number of boxes distributed
99
Produce Distributions
201
Supporting Volunteers
78
Individuals receiving produce from the garden
1,654
Volunteer hours
Sites currently in operation include: Grace Impact Development Center (Berkeley County), Whipper Barony Community (Charleston County), Dorchester County Career and Technology Center (Dorchester County).
FOODSHARE PROGRAM REPORT
The FoodShare Program has made significant strides in addressing food insecurity in our community over the past year.
52, 811
Pounds of food distributed
523*
Total number of ordering customers (*unique customer count)
3,166
Total number of boxes distributed
60.04%
of boxes ordered with SNAP
Throughout the year, the percentage of SNAP orders steadily increased, reflecting our commitment to making nutritious food accessible to more families in need.
BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT
Program designed to help individuals obtain childcare, transportation, equipment and other expenses preventing them from finding and keeping a job.
81
Clients Served
$35,440
Total Spent from Fund
117
Household Members Served
$437
Average Spend per Client
CHANGEMAKER GRANTS PROGRAM
The Changemaker Grants program has successfully allocated funds throughout the year to empower organizations addressing critical community needs.
QUARTER 1: CAPACITY BUILDING
Goal of Funding: To invest in the effectiveness, efficacy and future sustainability of nonprofits by providing resources for strategic planning, operational improvements and organizational development.
$201, 608
TOTAL DOLLARS FUNDED
84
COMPLETED APPLICATIONS
20
AGENCIES FUNDED
....
QUARTER 2: BARRIERS TO FINANCIAL SECURITY
Goal of Funding: To allow organizations to expand services for individuals below the ALICE® Threshold, addressing critical areas such as transportation, childcare, technology and other household basics.
$100,000
TOTAL DOLLARS FUNDED
10
COMPLETED APPLICATIONS
3
AGENCIES FUNDED
...
Quarter 3: ALICE® - PERSONS OF COLOR LED OR SERVING
Goal of Funding: To enable organizations led by or predominantly serving people of color (60%+) to expand their services to those below the ALICE® Threshold in areas with limited funding.
$100,000
TOTAL DOLLARS FUNDED
12
COMPLETED APPLICATIONS
4
AGENCIES FUNDED
...
QUARTER 4: EVICTION AND FORCLOSURE PREVENTION
Goal of Funding: Provide support to keep individuals and families stably housed in area codes 29405 and 29406, including expanding access to legal services for tenants at risk of eviction, offering short-term financial assistance, and providing case management and financial counseling.
$100,000
TOTAL DOLLARS FUNDED
6
COMPLETED APPLICATIONS
2
AGENCIES FUNDED
IMPACT SPOTLIGHT
CHANGEMAKER GRANTS: HALOS
"The Changemaker Grant has allowed us to ensure families remain safe and secure, while providing crucial stability for both children and their kinship caregivers,” says Khalilah Sumners, the Director of Programs for HALOS.
Kinship care refers to the arrangement where relatives — such as grandparents, aunts, uncles or older siblings—take on the responsibility of raising children when their biological parents are unable to do so. This situation arises from various circumstances, including parental substance abuse, incarceration or health issues.
HALOS is committed to helping these caregivers navigate the complexities of kinship care. Their comprehensive approach includes providing financial aid for immediate needs, hosting parenting support groups to share experiences and strategies and offering essential resources to alleviate the burdens faced by these families.
A recent Changemaker Grant from Trident United Way has significantly expanded HALOS’s capacity to serve the community. This funding has enhanced their ability to deliver targeted financial assistance, strengthen their support groups and improve access to critical resources.
“The Changemaker Grant is instrumental in supporting families during their most challenging times,” said Khalilah Sumners, Director of Programs at HALOS. “It helps ensure that families can stay in their homes, keep the lights on and have enough food while they wait for their SNAP benefits to begin. This grant truly makes a difference in saving lives and preserving family stability.”
For kinship families, HALOS is more than just a source of financial aid; it’s a supportive community where caregivers can connect, exchange advice, and find emotional support. These resources help ease the complexities of kinship care and empower families to provide stable, nurturing environments for the children in their care.
Thanks to the Changemaker Grants, HALOS has broadened its reach and effectiveness, making a profound difference in the lives of more kinship families across the Tri-County.
211 RESOURCE LINE
JULY 2023 - JUNE 2024 STATISTICS
The 211 guides are caring navigators who connect callers to resources for food, healthcare services, mental health and other resources available in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, and across South Carolina.
AMERICORPS SOUTH CAROLINA
Trident United Way’s AmeriCorps program assists in meeting basic needs and increasing financial literacy throughout the Tri-County region. AmeriCorps members build capacity for the organizations they work with to provide financial stability services directly to clients.
Household Members Served by County:
Berkeley 1,877 | Charleston: 243 | Dorchester: 465
1,240
Total households served
495
New Households served
2,160
Individuals served
2,642
Total services provided
1,876
Basic needs services provided
....
SC THRIVE
Trident United Way partner, SC Thrive, utilizes Thrive Hub, a web-based system that allows counselors to help clients apply for multiple resources during a single interview.
1,077
Individuals Completed Free Tax Returns
$294,021
Dollars Saved in Tax Preparation Fees
$1,918,137
Estimated Value of Returns Completed
CHARITY TRACKER
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CharityTracker™ is a web application provided by Trident United Way free of charge to nonprofits in the Tri-County region.
It supports shared case management and helps gather and report statistical data for resource development, strategic planning and measuring outcomes.
404 Organizations Using CharityTracker
892 Agents Using CharityTracker
36,295 Total Individuals Served
13,461
Total Households Served
99,341
Basic Needs Services Provided
$1,526,894
Total Value of Assistance
EDUCATION INITIATIVES
Education programs reached over 1,000 students, with significant community engagement through partnerships with local schools. Initiatives like the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, Early Literacy Kits and the African American Leadership Council (AALC) Book Drive provided essential resources to promote early childhood literacy. Additionally, the Representation Matters Foundation’s Community Book Club, the Young Leaders United (YLU) Back to School Drive and collaborative efforts with the Redirect Collective and the Early Learning Action Team reflect a commitment to improving educational outcomes, particularly in underserved communities.
1,000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN - 150 Served
Highlights include sign-up sheets, tracking logs and milestone rewards for 100, 500 and 1,000 books read.
YLU BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE - 600+ Students in 8+ Schools & Community Based Events
Highlights include providing backpacks and supplies for the 2024-2025 school year.
EARLY LEARNING SUMMIT - 75 Served
Highlights include a presentation on ALICE® data regarding cost of childcare in Tri-County households and collaboration among businesses, the education community and parents.
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HEALTH INITIATIVES
Through partnerships with Roper St. Francis Hospital and the Duke Endowment, Trident United Way supports 7 programs that seek to improve nutrition and overall wellbeing in the Tri-County.
These programs together help to achieve goals to improve the overall health and wellbeing of our Tri-County area as set through the Healthy Tri-County Community Health Improvement Plan.
IMPACT SPOTLIGHT
CHANGEMAKER GRANTS: CHARLESTON PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES
“The Changemaker Grant has allowed us to provide security deposits for numerous individuals and families, helping them secure housing quickly and avoid homelessness,” explains Staff Attorney at Charleston Pro Bono Mary Templeton. “Instead of struggling to pay for temporary accommodations or relying on family, our clients only need to cover the first month’s rent, which makes a crucial difference in their journey to stability.”
Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services serves the vital legal needs of the Charleston’s ALICE® population by providing aid, representation and an array of legal services that enable access to the protection and benefits of our legal system.
One of the ways Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services is committed to transforming lives in Charleston is offering essential legal assistance to individuals and families facing eviction. In South Carolina, where an eviction can leave a lasting mark on one’s record, their work is crucial in preventing homelessness and fostering stability within the community.
This year, Charleston Pro Bono received two separate Trident United Way Changemaker Grants. The first grant specifically targets services for the ALICE® population, enhancing their capacity to assist those facing housing challenges. With TUW’s support, Charleston Pro Bono has expanded their outreach, enabling them to help even more individuals and families in need.
In the often overwhelming landscape of housing insecurity, one story stands out to Housing Court Coordinator Natalie Sorrem—a powerful testament to the importance of support in overcoming adversity. She reflects on the journey of a single mother with five children who faced the looming threat of eviction.
“This client came to us with a government voucher that helps cover a portion of her rent,” Natalie recounts. “But if the eviction went through, that voucher would be terminated. Losing it would mean not just losing her home, but also a crucial lifeline for her family.”
Government vouchers play a significant role in ensuring affordable housing for low-income families. They adjust based on income, allowing individuals to secure housing that aligns with their financial situation. For this mother, the potential loss of her voucher meant an uncertain future for her and her children.
“The importance of that voucher cannot be overstated,” Natalie explains. “It’s critical for managing her rent and sustaining her housing. Facing eviction meant that everything she had worked for could be taken away in an instant.”
Fortunately, Charleston Pro Bono stepped in to provide the necessary assistance. Their Housing Team represented her in Housing Court and negotiated a settlement that would keep an eviction off of her record and keep her voucher intact. They were then able to use the Changemaker Grant funds for her security deposit, ensuring a smooth transition into safe, affordable housing. “Knowing that her children would have a safe place to stay was incredibly rewarding for all of us.”
VOLUNTEER UNITED
An unstoppable force for good in the Tri-County.
Trident United Way promotes a culture of volunteerism by engaging its corporate partners and individual volunteers through valuable service opportunities. Volunteering is a great way to give back and create team unity and leadership opportunities for individuals, teams or corporate groups. Our signature volunteer events include Days of Caring, Day of Action and Read Across America Day. We also support year-round opportunities for groups or individual volunteers.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Throughout the 2022–2023 fiscal year, Trident United Way utilized more than $6.4 million of your investments to directly impact our community through a combination of grants, initiatives and capacity-building tools available to the entire community. Community grants 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.
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IMPACT SPOTLIGHT
CHANGEMAKER GRANTS: AMOR HEALING KITCHEN
“I saw how much it supported her when I brought food. She taught me a love of cooking and a love of being in the kitchen, and I felt that it was a little bit of comfort and strength that I could offer her during that time,” reflects Maria Kelly, Founder of AMOR Healing Kitchen."
AMOR Healing Kitchen provides nourishing meals to people in our community who are facing health challenges. Maria Kelly, a former high school teacher in Charleston County founded Amor Healing Kitchen after supporting her mother through a cancer diagnosis.
Like Maria’s mother, roughly 60% of their clients are facing a cancer diagnosis, but they serve those facing several conditions, including diabetes, heart complications and postnatal recovery. Each week, clients receive four healthy meals, a nutritious snack, a healthy desert and a fresh bouquet of flowers. All meals are prepared by Amor’s adult kitchen mentors and a team of teenage chef volunteers. Every Friday, AMOR’s volunteer “Delivery Angels”, take packages of plant-based meals to a client or clients they have been matched with for the duration of their deliveries.
“I love working with teens,” Maria said. “As a teacher, I saw that if we provide them a nurturing space where they can develop their own skills, talents and a sense of community through service, they flourish.”
Maria has seen rapid growth since founding AMOR Healing Kitchen, tripling the number of community members they serve in a very short amount of time.
“Trident United Way’s Changemaker Grant allowed us to purchase necessary equipment to be able to meet the higher demand and expand our capacity in the kitchen so that we don’t have to put anyone on a waiting list. If they apply, we can serve them.”
LEADERSHIP GIVING SOCIETIES
Trident United Way’s giving societies are made up of community and business leaders like YOU who are passionate about changing lives and pulling together the expertise and resources that get meaningful results.
TRIDENT UNITED WAY TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY
The Trident United Way Tocqueville Society is a worldwide network of extraordinary community leaders and philanthropists who invest $10,000 or more annually through their local United Ways. At Trident United Way, our members demonstrate a deep commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of children, young people and families in the Tri-County area.
TRIDENT UNITED WAY PALMETTO SOCIETY
The Trident United Way Palmetto Society recognizes donors who give $1,000-$9,999 annually to Trident United Way. Palmetto Society members set a standard of charitable giving in our community and motivate others to contribute at a leadership level to Trident United Way and the Tri-County community.
THE BENEFITS OF JOINING A LEADERSHIP GIVING SOCIETY:
• Premiere networking and social events with other members
• Prominent recognition in Trident United Way’s annual leadership listings
• Opportunities to engage with other highly influential philanthropists in our community
• Special communications about Trident United Way’s work and the impact of your contribution
• Qualification for membership in all applicable donor networks
To learn more, visit TUW.org/Leadership-Giving or click here.
DONOR NETWORKS
To learn more about Donor Networks, visit tuw.org/Donor-Networks or click here.
Members who commit to giving at the Palmetto Society leadership level ($1,000 +) annually are critical to the success of Trident United Way’s work.
Elect to become a member of multiple Donor Network groups that are of interest and apply to you.
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AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Trident United Way’s African American Leadership Council is a network of Black and minority leaders in the community working to create bold community change.
WOMEN UNITED
Trident United Way’s Women United is an engaged network of philanthropic leaders committed to improving education, financial stability and health in our region.
YOUNG LEADERS UNITED
Trident United Way’s Young Leaders United is a network of leaders ages 40 and under who are committed to supporting our community through giving, volunteerism and advocacy.
BENEFITS OF JOINING A DONOR NETWORK:
• Premiere networking and social events with passionate community leaders and philanthropists.
• Unique volunteer and community outreach events.
• Opportunities to join Trident United Way committees, initiatives and programs.
• Community-focused educational and professional development opportunities.
• Receive special communications about key events, new data and community impact news for the Tri-County.
• Recognition in Trident United Way’s annual leadership listings.
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
We invite you to join us in building a more resilient Tri-County, where every individual and family has access to the resources needed to thrive.
For nearly 80 years, Trident United Way has been a catalyst for measurable community transformation in education, financial stability and health in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties. We have a proud history of developing community-wide initiatives, including partnering with dozens of local nonprofit organizations, leading to the creation of our community’s 211 Resource Line and establishing the Berkeley and Dorchester County Resource Connection Centers.
Being a Trident United Way corporate partner means you align your company with social responsibility and community-centered values while gaining exposure and engagement opportunities.
Changemaker Partner - $25,000 or more annually
Empowerment Partner - $15,000 annually
Impact Partner - $10,000 annually
Reliance Partner - $5,000 annually
Unity Partner - $2,500 annually
CLICK HERE OR VISIT tuw.org/Corporate-Partners TO LEARN MORE
THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 - 2024 ALLIANCE SPONSORS
Adams Outdoor Advertising
Anita Zucker and The InterTech Group, Inc.
Chernoff Newman
FORVIS
Humana Healthy Horizons in South Carolina
Johnson & Johnson Insurance, Inc.
Life Cycle Engineering, Inc.
MUSC Health
Nucor
Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Santee Cooper
Roper St. Francis Healthcare
The Post and Courier
