On January 19, over 400 volunteers across Spartanburg County came together for United Way of the Piedmont’s annual MLK Day of Service, collectively contributing 933 hours of service. Hosting this event for over a decade, United Way of the Piedmont has been able to provide support to over 16 non-profit and community partners. Hands-on projects ranging from trail cleanups to period kit packing provided volunteers with the opportunity to come together and support the organizations strengthening our community. Amanda Richardson, Vice President of Brand Experience at United Way of the Piedmont, volunteered alongside her children to create artwork for women and children preparing to move into Bridgeway Village. Reflecting on the importance of serving on MLK Day, Richardson shared, “Giving back—especially on MLK Day—matters deeply to me. It’s a powerful opportunity to show my children that showing up for our neighbors can take many different forms.” United Way of the Piedmont extends a heartfelt thank you to the incredible volunteers who showed up, served, and made an impact this MLK Day. Your dedication and compassion showed our community that United Is the Way. We can’t wait to come together again for next year’s Day of Service on Monday, January 18, 2027.

Spartanburg, S.C. (January 13, 2026) –United Way of the Piedmont (UWP) is proud to announce an annual investment of $1,140,000 in 47 nonprofit organizations across Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union Counties for the 2026–2028 funding cycle. These investments mark another step forward in advancing UWP’s long-term Community Impact Agenda and commitment to addressing the root causes of local challenges through strategic, results-driven funding. For the upcoming cycle, UWP will make the following annual investments in the region: $111,842 in 16 programs in Cherokee County $922,070 in 37 programs in Spartanburg County $106,088 in 16 programs in Union County This investment follows a highly competitive community review process. 85 agencies submitted 138 Letters of Intent, requesting nearly $4.85 million in annual funding. To guide investment decisions, UWP convened one Community Investment Review Committee, representing the entire tri-county area. This group applied a structured assessment process to evaluate program effectiveness, fiscal soundness, and alignment with UWP’s strategic framework. “Our investment process is an intentional, data-driven effort that takes about a year to complete,” said Sarah Daniel, Senior Director of Partnerships & Investments. “We don’t just fund programs—we invest in impact. Every dollar is directed where it can create the most measurable change for our community.” The review process began in early 2025 with information sessions and letters of intent, followed by full applications, site visits, and extensive Q&A sessions before final funding decisions in December. New funding will begin in January 2026. As outlined in its Community Impact Agenda, UWP focuses on investing deep rather than wide—prioritizing proven programs with clear outcomes over spreading limited resources thinly across numerous initiatives. This approach ensures that each investment drives transformative change for the region’s most pressing needs. UWP upholds a commitment to county-level equity, measurable outcomes, fiscal stewardship, and sustainability. In addition to the core investment cycle, UWP continues to lead and support collaborative initiatives aligned with its impact goals, including: A Place to Call Home (Spartanburg County) Spartanburg Long Term Recovery Group Movement 2030 Union Uplifted Collective Community-Wide Mental & Behavioral Health Plan for Spartanburg County Live Healthy Spartanburg Strategic Spartanburg, Inc. Spartanburg Shared Futures Collaborative United for ALICE Through these strategic investments and partnerships, United Way of the Piedmont continues to strengthen the community and drive sustainable impact across the region. View a full list of 2026-2028 Community Investment funded programs here.