United Way of the Piedmont launches United for All Fund as part of COVID-19 response

March 26, 2020

United Way of the Piedmont (UWP) is proud to launch its first ever United for All Fund for emergency and disaster relief. The United for All Fund will be a new, separate fund designed to be activated in times of crisis, starting first and foremost with the local COVID-19 response. The fund will be used to help individuals and families in Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties directly through UWP’s Community Resource Coordinator program, as well as to support other local organizations’ response efforts.

During times of disaster or crisis, nonprofit services become even more critical to helping individuals get back on their feet. The United for All Fund will be a permanent pool of funding, managed by United Way of the Piedmont to directly assist local community members. Funds will support United Way’s Community Resource Coordinators who work one-on-one with families struggling to make ends meet after an emergency. Funds can also be used to support other community partners who are significantly involved in recovery efforts.

President & CEO of United Way of the Piedmont, Paige Stephenson says, “After the tornado relief efforts in February and now the response to COVID-19, we felt we had to create a long-lasting resource for emergency relief. Obviously, we hope this fund will not have to be activated often, but we want the community to know that when things like this happen, United Way of the Piedmont is there.”

Currently, United Way is convening partners in Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties, via community calls, to address local needs and identify resources. As these needs continue to grow as more and more families are affected by COVID-19, United Way of the Piedmont will continue to bring together community partners and ensure a coordinated response. Already, United Way is working with partners to support homeless individuals affected by the virus, provide resources for behavioral health to those in isolation, and coordinate volunteer opportunities for those who wish to help.

How to Donate to the United for All Fund

Those wishing to contribute to the United for All Fund can do so in the following ways:

  • Online: Visit uwpiedmont.org/UnitedforAll to make a donation with your credit card
  • Mail: Send a check made payable to United Way of the Piedmont to: United Way of the Piedmont, PO Box 5624, Spartanburg, SC 29304.

In addition to this local fund, United Ways across the state and in partnership with the SC Grantmakers Network and Together SC, have joined together to support the state-wide One SC Fund. The One SC Fund was established in 2015 as a statewide disaster relief fund and has directed donations to relief efforts for the Thousand Year Fund, Hurricane Matthew, and Hurricane Florence. The One SC Fund, housed at Central Carolina Community Foundation, has been activated with support from Governor Henry McMaster, and will serve as a collaborative statewide response to food, shelter, health, and nonprofit sustainability needs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals wishing to support efforts state-wide can find more information and donate to the One SC Fund at www.OneSCFund.org.

 

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.