Trident United Way Announces Fourth Round of Community Changemaker Grants

Charleston Area Urban League and Origin SC were funded $50,000 Each
to Provide Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention in 29405 and 29406 Zip Codes

North Charleston, SC – Trident United Way, a leading local nonprofit organization committed to fostering positive change and development within the Tri-County, is pleased to announce the fourth round of funding in their Changemaker Grants program.

The Changemaker Grants program offers investments toward a nonprofit agency's effectiveness, efficiency and future sustainability by providing resources to improve or expand the organization’s mission. Trident United Way awarded Changemaker Grants in four cycles within their most recent fiscal year (ending June 30, 2024), with a minimum pool of $100,000 per cycle. Each grant cycle has had a specific area of focus.

The fourth round of Changemaker Grants used Data for Impact to focus on Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention in 29405 and 29406 zip codes. Current data shows these zip codes in North Charleston are the areas with the greatest need in the Tri-County and have some of the highest eviction rates in the United States.

The goal of the Eviction & Foreclosure Prevention Grant is to keep individuals and families stably housed by:

Targeting households facing imminent eviction or foreclosure due to circumstantial hardships
Intervening before the household loses their home
Ensuring that the household can maintain the home once this assistance is provided

These funds will be used to financially assist households experiencing circumstantial hardships that are making it temporarily difficult to pay their bills, but who are able to become financially stable with this support. Financial support may include:

Back rent or mortgage payments
Utility payments
Shut-off fees
Late fees
Court fees

Agencies receiving grant funding are required to provide case management and follow-up to assist households in maintaining a stable home, as well as provide referrals for additional resources as necessary.

“Supporting our Tri-County neighbors on their path to financial stability is at the heart of Trident United Way’s mission,” said President & CEO DJ Hampton. “Knowing that these North Charleston zip codes- where our own offices are also located- are experiencing some of the highest eviction rates in the country is a crisis we must face head-on. Charleston Area Urban League and Origin, SC are making a tremendous impact in our region and Trident United Way is very proud to partner with and support them in this work.”

Charleston Area Urban League: $50,000
The Charleston Area Urban League promotes diversity and inclusion and provides multifaceted programs that assist African Americans and other underserved groups to achieve economic and social parity and equal treatment under the law. For over 32 years the agency has been providing an array of programs and services to residents in the Tri-County region that include Fair Housing, Housing Counseling, First Time Homebuyer Education, Financial Literacy, Asset Building, Family Stability and Employment.

Origin SC: $50,000
Origin SC empowers individuals to achieve financial, housing and mental health stability through advocacy, counseling and education. For over 135 years, Origin (formerly Family Services, Inc.) has provided services to help individuals and families gain and sustain financial and housing stability.

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About Trident United Way- 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.

Trident United Way has a proud history of developing community-wide initiatives, including partnering with dozens of local nonprofit organizations, leading the creation of our community’s 211 Information and Referral Helpline and establishing the Berkeley and Dorchester County Resource Connection Centers.