Spartanburg, S.C. (May 5, 2025) – Local leaders from across Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties gathered with United of the Piedmont on April 30, 2025 for an inspiring morning honoring the incredible companies and organizations that have gone above and beyond to make a difference in the community. This exclusive event featured powerful stories of impact, an awards ceremony to celebrate outstanding partners, and a room full of passionate changemakers. Speakers from both local community and partner organizations included: Chris Santoro, Board Chair of United Way’s Board of Directors and Vice President of Investments at MTM Management; Bryan Stone, President of Lockhart Power; Reverend Eliza Smith DeBevoise of Converse University; and Parkes Coggins, Vice President Heart/Vascular and Oncology Services at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and United Way’s Resource Development Chair. During the ceremony, United Way announced the 2025 Corporate & Community Leaders award winners: New Partner of the Year: Cherokee County School District Small Business Partner of the Year: William Barnet & Son, LLC Large Business Partner of the Year: BMW Manufacturing Public Service Partner of the Year: Spartanburg School District 5 Employee Campaign Coordinator of the Year: Angie Myers, AFL Chairman’s Award: Chuck Hall, William & Barnet, LLC  Additionally, United Way recognized partners that achieved Circle of Excellence status, an honor reserved for partners who model best practices in their United Way workplace campaigns: Cate & Brough, P.A. Morrisette Packaging Lockhart Power Johnson Development Associates McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture William Barnet & Son, LLC The collective impact of gifts and support from United Way corporate and community partners ensures more local families have the opportunity to thrive. United Way additionally thanks the top 5 companies in giving totals for the 2024-2025 fiscal year: AFL: Employee Giving of $554,787 + Corporate Giving of $180,491 = $735,278 Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System: Employee Giving = $321,995 BMW: Employee Giving of $186,928 + Corporate Giving of $93,248 = $280,176 Denny's and Keke's Breakfast Cafe: Employee Giving = $244,075 Milliken & Company: Employee Giving of $107,473 + Corporate Giving of $100,000 = $207,473 This year, United Way is reviewing 138 program requests representing nearly $5 million in need across our community. Funding decisions will shape the region’s opportunities through 2028. Amanda Richardson, United Way Vice President of Brand Experience & Resource Development, shared during the event: “Right now, local programs need support. These are the programs that create the community resiliency, financial security, healthy community, and youth opportunity that we all want here.” She continued, “Whether it is launching or strengthening a campaign, finding volunteer opportunities for yourself or your employees, or building an annual strategy that reflects and executes your commitment to community, we are poised to partner with you.” For more information about partnering with United Way of the Piedmont, email giving@uwpiedmont.org.

Spartanburg, S.C. (April 30, 2025) – AmeriCorps announced late on April 25, 2025 that our United Way of the Piedmont AmeriCorps grants have been terminated. The termination of United Way’s local grants is part of widespread cuts to more than $400 million in grant funding to AmeriCorps services across the United States. Tens of thousands of service members nationwide have suddenly lost their living allowances, benefits, and workforce development opportunities. Locally, AmeriCorps cuts impact 25 service members, 14 organizations, and four public schools across Spartanburg and Cherokee counties. AmeriCorps State & National Members and Volunteers In Service to America (VISTA) Members play a critical role in advancing education, housing stability, financial security, and health access in our region. United Way’s AmeriCorps programs also rely on the leadership of community partners who host and mentor AmeriCorps Members throughout their service year. The loss of these service members is deeply felt across our community. Impact on Local Community 25 total members terminated , including 18 full-time VISTAs and 7 part-time direct service members 14 organizations impacted , including: A Place to Call Home Benjamin E. Mays Family Center Converse University Greer Relief KNOW(2)Cherokee PAL ReGenesis Health Care Spartanburg Academic Movement St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic Strategic Spartanburg The Bridge at Green Street The Bethlehem Center USC Upstate United Way of the Piedmont 4 public schools affected by direct service loss, including: Cleveland Academy of Leadership Jesse S. Bobo Elementary Lone Oak Elementary Mary H. Wright Elementary Disaster relief teams demobilized : Two AmeriCorps NCCC teams, which provided over 1,100 hours of disaster relief and prepared nearly 400 tax returns for local families, were also terminated early. In 2024 alone, our AmeriCorps VISTA program generated over $2 million in economic impact locally. Since 2008, the program has contributed more than $26 million to our region’s economy. In the first semester of our AmeriCorps Teacher Support Specialist direct service program, we saw an average of 55% of students with improved academic performance in classrooms where members served. The loss of these resources will significantly reduce our community’s capacity to address pressing issues. “We’re disheartened by the sudden loss of critical services that AmeriCorps Members have brought to local organization partners and the greater community,” says Paige Stephenson, United Way of the Piedmont President & CEO. “Many of these members were dedicating their years of service in full-time capacities, carrying out the AmeriCorps mission to bring out the best in our community and America. We are working to support our members as they navigate an early exit to service and find the best path forward to address the gap left by the termination of our AmeriCorps grants.” You can take action to protect AmeriCorps by contacting your Congress members in the following ways: Email your Members of Congress in less than two minutes using an easy Contact Congress email tool . Call your lawmakers using a simple call script and instructions . This is an important way to share more about your personal experience with AmeriCorps as an alumni, supporter, or program partner. For any media inquiries, please reach out to Paige Stephenson at pstephenson@uwpiedmont.org .