Trident United Way mobilizes your investments to make authentic impact in our community through a combination of initiatives, capacity-building tools and grants available to the entire community. Additionally, these investments support community engagement through volunteer and advocacy opportunities.
Our investors and partners represent a movement of people and organizations working together to create bold change. Trident United Way works in a collaborative, cross-sector way to solve complex, community-level issues. A key to meaningful collaboration is pursuing value-based partnerships where two or more organizations share in a mutually beneficial endeavor. The overall goal is to deliver the highest value to the community by focusing on improving family and individual outcomes while creating pathways to access resources.
The information shared below describes programs and initiatives impacting the community through the work of Trident United Way direct community investment dollars and leveraged investment dollars for the overall community benefit.
Community Impact Investments
Trident United Way invests in programming led by local nonprofits through an open and competitive grant application process. Grants are awarded through a standardized volunteer led decision-making process to ensure that donor dollars are invested effectively and with results.
Changemaker Grants
Trident United Way Changemaker Grants mobilize resources and empower nonprofits dedicated to making a positive impact in the Tri-County community. Grants focus on investing in the areas of greatest impact for TUW and its partners while aligning with TUW priorities.
Trident United Way and SC Thrive have worked effectively together for more than a decade to provide free tax filing assistance. Self-service filing is available through Thrive Hub, and additional assistance in filing taxes is available through the Trident United Way Resource Connection Centers tax counselors.
2023-2024 Facts & Figures
- 1,077 free state and federal tax returns filed in the Tri-County
- $1,918,137 estimated in refunds through filings at TUW-affiliated tax sites and $294,021 saved in filing fees
As of 2025, TUW has become a designated Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sponsor bringing a vital service to our community. VITA provides free tax preparation services to individuals and families with low to moderate income, offering them the support needed to maximize their refunds and achieve greater financial stability. This initiative directly aligns with our efforts to strengthen economic opportunity and promote financial resilience across our region.
Trident United Way has a long standing history of rallying the community in times of natural disaster or other major impacts. During these difficult times, Trident United Way commits to fundraising efforts to support agencies and organizations who are helping those in need.
Through the Duke Endowment Trident United Way and Healthy Tri-County have become a partner in Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas (HPHC). HPHC is an initiative designed to help community in North Carolina and South Carolina address chronic health issues such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Trident United Way is engaging leaders in health care, public health, social services, government, education, business and faith community to combine efforts and work to collaboratively addres the health challenges we face as a community, rather than going at it alone.
Healthy Tri-County (HTC), powered by Trident United Way, in partnership with core partners, MUSC Health, Roper St. Francis Healthcare and Trident Health is a multi-sector regional initiative to improve health outcomes in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties in South Carolina. The long-term aspirational goal of HTC is to improve the health and well-being of every person and community within the Tri-County region.
Below are a sample of network activities.
Tri-County Health Symposium
The Tri-County Healthy Symposium brings industry and community outreach professionals together to discuss how to better healthcare outcomes in the Tri-County area. The event features keynote speaker presentations from local, state and national experts, breakout sessions, networking opportunities and the option to earn continuing education credits.
Community Conversations on Health
Three times a year Healthy Tri-County hosts community conversations on health, focused on a relevant and timely topic. Conversations are lead by local community experts in these topics, and an open dialogue is encouraged.
Community Health Needs Assessment
The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) report provides an overview of the Tri-County health needs as identified by community respondents and key stakeholders. Data for the CHNA is collected from local individuals through online and paper surveys, focus groups and interviews.
Community Tools and Resources Investments
SC 211 serves as a safety net for all individuals needing help finding assistance, by improving the effectiveness and coordination of health and human services across the state. The 211 program provides information about and referrals to health and human service resources available in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties. 211 is FREE to the community and for agencies to add their information.
AmeriCorps members serve at local sites where they work with families across the financial stability spectrum of need. By acting as Family Navigators, they seek to address the current economic hardships and provide financial education by leveraging the unique strengths of the Trident United Way system and its community partners to make a difference in the lives of people.
AmeriCorps members build capacity for the host site organization to be able to provide financial stability services to its clients through collaboration, leveraging of resources and getting measurable results.
CharityTrackerTM is a web application that Trident United Way provides free of charge to the Tri-County region for confidential shared case management. This tool provides statistical data reporting to inform resource deployment, strategic planning and measurable outcomes. Trident United Way partners, community agencies and faith-based organizations track and share confidential client service information, in addition to a bulletin feature which allows partners to post services, such as classes and events, and alerts allow partners to post urgent needs. Trident United Way has been providing this tool to the community since 2009. Currently over 400 organizations in the Tri-County area are connected to CharityTrackerTM.
Trident United Way serves as the leader for the local Emergency Food and Shelter Program board in the Tri-County Region and is responsible for awarding the grant funds to local social service organizations, both nonprofit and governmental, that can best address the identified needs of the community. Emergency Food and Shelter Programs assist nonprofits that are helping residents who are experiencing hunger and homelessness.
Resource Connection Centers are service hubs where low to moderate income individuals and families have access to programs and resources such as educational resources, basic needs and resources to become self-sufficient. The Resource Connection Centers take an integrated approach to service delivery, which includes bundling and sequencing of services, leading to long lasting financial change for clients and their families. The Centers operate using a continuum framework that begins with addressing basic needs and moves individuals along a continuum to achieve the goal of gaining and sustaining assets.
The power of partnership is vital for clients in critical need to mitigate crisis and get on the path to financial stability. More than a dozen nonprofit agencies are located within the Resource Connection Centers working alongside Trident United Way staff members.
The SafetyNet Assistance Network (SNAN) is a growing network made up of all community sectors (Nonprofit, Education, Faith-Based, Government, Healthcare, Media and Business) collaborating in response to basic needs and financial stability services in our community with a vision of creating a fundamental, lasting change in the clients we serve in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties. SNAN is hosted by Trident United Way and is comprised of more than 240 organizations.
Trident United Way partners with SC Thrive in the Resource Connection Centers by using Thrive Hub. All Resource Connection Centers staff and all AmeriCorps members are trained in the Thrive Hub system to provide benefits screenings, complete SNAP Applications, Medicaid applications, TANF applications, Free Tax Assistance, and free medication assistance. SC Thrive also provides Mental Health First Aid Training which we host at the Trident United Way office. Trident United Way also hosts Thrive Hub training. SC Thrive staff for Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester County are located in the Trident United Way main office.
Volunteer Engagement Investments
Day of Action is a global day of service where United Ways from all across the globe partake in community service projects on or around June 21st - the longest day of the year. Trident United Way coordinates service opportunities to benefit and support older adults (65+) in our Tri-County community, such as tending to neglected yards, meal delivery services and visting local living centers.
Trident United Way Days of Caring is the largest single day of community service in the area. Trident United Way matches nonprofit agencies and schools with volunteer teams that advance agency and school missions and build capacity — all while fostering community engagement. Additionally, this day serves as a catalyst for year-round volunteer engagement as teams see the impact they can make in one day when they build partnerships within the community.
Trident United Way promotes a culture of volunteerism by engaging its corporate partners and individual volunteers through valuable Trident United Way service opportunities, developing customized volunteer engagement activities. Volunteering is a great way to give back and create team unity and leadership opportunities.
Lead United is a comprehensive community leadership and nonprofit board development program of Trident United Way. The purpose of Lead United is to equip participants with the necessary skills to serve on a nonprofit board of directors. This six week program focuses on educating professionals and skill-building for board-level service opportunities. Additionally, participants will increase their understanding of community challenges for deeper engagement.
Trident United Way joins in the annual celebration of reading by matching volunteers as in classroom leaders with participating classrooms throughout the Tri-County area. Reading aloud to students can help them develop their literacy skills. With 52% of third graders in Tri-County region reading at grade level, there is a lot of opportunity to support Trident United Way’s work in education.
Volunteer Engagement
Random Acts of Kindness Week
During the month of February, Trident United Way supports our annual Random Acts of Kindness week. Volunteer teams collect household items to benefit low income families and individuals, which are then delivered to partner agencies for distribution.
Birthday in a Box
A fun and creative project assembling ready-made birthday celebrations for families in need.
Seasonal Kit Assembly
Trident United Way organizes opportunities for teams and individuals to sort, prepare and assemble kits to be distributed to nonprofit agencies and/or schools in need. Trident United Way handles the logistics and leads the activity.
Donor Networks
Lifting Up Learning: The PULSE & YLU Community School Support Drive
Pulse and YLU are teaming up to host a community-wide effort to ensure classrooms are stocked, teachers are supported and students are equipped for a successful school year
Volunteers for Trident United Way are thought leaders on the board of directors or serve on committees and councils as decision-makers about community investments and strategies.
Boards and Committees
- Board of Directors
- Advancement Advisory Committee
- Audit Committee
- Campaign Cabinet
- Community Impact Committee
- Finance Committee
- Investment Committee
- Marketing Advisory Council
Investment Review Councils
- Changemaker Grant Review Council
If you are interested in serving on a committee please email volunteer@tuw.org.
Public Policy and Research Investments
Whether you are advocating to improve education, financial stability and health, or wearing your LIVE UNITED shirt to show support, you can help inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. Trident United Way gives voice to community solutions at the state, local and national levels.
Trident United Way has considerable experience using data to drive our impact work in education, income and health. To effectively develop strategies and focus actions, Trident United Way utilizes in-house research and evaluation expertise.
Other Investments
The purpose of Trident United Way’s annual fundraising campaigns are to develop and enhance the resources available for Trident United Way’s Community Impact work. Community volunteers strategically invest those resources in the Tri-County community in order to create lasting, measurable change on the most pressing issues facing families and individuals.
Donors may elect all or a portion of their pledge/contribution as designated to 501(c)(3) organizations, other than Trident United Way.