Corporate and Community Leadership Awards presented by United Way of the Piedmont
June 12, 2023
On Wednesday, May 24, United Way of the Piedmont hosted its annual Corporate & Community Leaders Breakfast to celebrate corporate philanthropy and to honor those who go above and beyond to raise funds for the work of United Way.
The event is attended by local corporate and community leaders, including elected officials, C-Suite executives, United Way volunteers, and key stakeholders in the United Way annual fundraising campaign. Paige Stephenson, President and CEO of United Way remarks that, “United Way is often called ‘the convener’ because we bring people together. We do this because we know that’s the only way to make a real difference. United Way is more than just a charitable organization; we are a platform for collaboration, innovation, and collective action.”
As part of the event, the annual Corporate & Community Leadership Awards are presented. Below are the categories, finalists, and winners of this year’s awards:
Small Business Partner of the Year: (for companies with 100 employees or less)
WINNER: Broad River Electric Co-Op, who provides a dollar-for-dollar match to their employees’ giving, and who had an unprecedented 110% increase in their overall campaign. Employees of Broad River Electric Co-Op also show their commitment to philanthropy by participating in United Way Signature volunteer projects.
Finalists: Brown Packing, Lockhart Power, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, Morrisette Packaging, United Community Bank, and William Barnet and Son.
Large Business Partner of the Year: (for companies with 100 employees or more)
WINNER: American Credit Acceptance (ACA). ACA continues to increase their fundraising campaign year after year. They also make the campaign fun for their associates through themes like “Race to Giving” in which leadership donors won entries to win a Daytona 500 vacation package. ACA employees also actively engage in volunteerism year-round.
Finalists: AFL, Auriga Polymers, Denny’s, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Spartanburg Water, Tietex, and Timken Duncan.
Public Service Partners: (for those entities that may not fit into the traditional corporate category)
WINNER: The City of Spartanburg, who saw an increase in their average gift, per capita gift, participation rate, and their overall giving. They support events through sponsorship, and their employees participate in our Signature projects and committees and task forces.
Finalists: One Spartanburg, Spartanburg School District 1, Spartanburg School District 5, and Wofford College.
Employee Campaign Coordinator: (for the employees within a company who plan, organize, and facilitate United Way workplace campaigns)
WINNER: Elizabeth Fletcher and the 2022 Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Campaign Committee. This committee is spearheaded by a new chair every year, every year they try new and innovative ideas to increase participation at the hospital system.
Finalists: Ingrid Crawford at The City of Spartanburg, Elizabeth Fletcher of the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Campaign Committee, Ashley Ford at First Citizens Bank, Debbie Green at McMillan Pazdan Smith, and Laurel Hurt and Crystal Jackson at Spartanburg School District 5.
Circle of Excellence: (Campaigns with at least a 70% participation rate, at least 70% undesignated gifts, and a per capita gift of at least $100)
This year’s Circle of Excellence members: Brown Packing, Cate & Brough, Johnson Development Associates, Lockhart Power, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, and William Barnet & Son.
Chairman’s Award: This award goes to the Corporate or Community Leader who has gone above and beyond in their support for United Way and our mission.
WINNER: Bryan Stone. As the President of Lockhart Power, he has implemented campaign best practices, including a matching corporate gift to United Way, and as a result, their campaign has seen growth year after year.
Amanda Richardson, Vice President for Resource Development at United Way of the Piedmont, concluded the event saying, “We all have tremendous power to make an impact, not just within our networks, but also within our broader community. Supporting United Way is an opportunity to unleash the full potential of our community, empowering each individual to become a catalyst for positive change.”
If interested in corporate sponsorship or starting an employee giving program at your workplace, contact Alex Moore at: [email protected] for more information.
About United Way of the Piedmont
United Way of the Piedmont is a local nonprofit that fights for the education, financial stability, and health of every member of our community. Our mission is to connect, engage, and inspire people to transform our community. We are more than fundraisers. We forge unique partnerships, find new solutions to old problems, and mobilize the best resources by inspiring others to join the fight. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to not just survive, but to thrive. Learn more at www.uwpiedmont.org.
