United We Improve Lives
What is the impact of my donation?
Giving to the United Way Community Fund is the most powerful way to give. Your gift is combined with others to:
- Support local nonprofit programs
- Provide direct assistance to people through our 211 call center and county service centers
- Connect volunteers to causes that strengthen our communities
In 2020, your contributions to the Community Fund, improved the lives of 207,948 people throughout Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties.
This year, the Herschel V. Jenkins Trust and other income cover 100% of the organization’s operating expenses, allowing donor dollars to go where they’re most needed in service to the community.
How we serve our community
*2020-2021*
Nonprofit Programs
United Way of the Coastal Empire is supporting 89 programs across 54 local agencies throughout our four-county region doing everything from making sure seniors have hot meals to providing transformative after-school and summer programs for children.
211 Call Center
211 is a free, confidential service provided by United Way of the Coastal Empire to ensure every person in the community has access to the best resources available. The Community Fund allows United Way to provide direct assistance to people through our 211 call center and county service centers in Bryan, Effingham, and Liberty counties.
County Service Centers
United Way operates county service centers in Bryan, Effingham, and Liberty counties, providing direct social services. Beyond basic emergency relief services, they also provide backpacks for weekend food distribution to children in need, mobile food pantries, and volunteer opportunities for agencies supported by United Way.
United Way Volunteers
United Way Volunteers connects volunteers to causes that strengthen our community. In 2020, 2,205 individual volunteers donated their time and expertise to projects supported by United Way of the Coastal Empire.
In 2020, programs and services funded by United Way improved the lives of:
207,948
people
191,759
with Community Fund Grants
16,189
with Community Fund Direct Services
46%
of people in our region received support through the United Way Community Fund.
An Investment that Matters
Right now, United Way of the Coastal Empire supports 89 programs across 54 local agencies throughout our four-county region doing everything from making sure seniors have hot meals to providing transformative after-school and summer programs for children.
In 2020, the programs United Way funded improved the lives of people in our region in many powerful ways including but not limited to those listed below. This is how YOUR MONEY HELPS!
Safety Net
1,968
people received 4,650 free or discounted prescription medications, saving $7,801,145
28,880
medical and dental care visits were provided to low-income, under/uninsured people
1,219
mental health counseling sessions or psychiatric care visits were provided to homeless, low-income, or under/uninsured people
4,663
low-income children and youth received homework support and 457,243 nutritious meals at afterschool programs
27,554
food-insecure people received emergency or supplemental food at a pantry, mobile food drop, or other food distribution service
210,544
meals served to people seeking help at soup kitchens or residing in emergency shelters
71,812
nights of safe shelter to 2,576 children, youth, and adults experiencing homelessness, abuse, or neglect
7,803
seniors were served 144,554 meals at a day program or delivered to their home
2,080
low-or no-cost home modifications, safety repairs, and adaptive or assistive equipment helped seniors and people with disabilities to live more independently
640
children in foster care or experiencing family separation were assisted by a court-appointed special advocate or guardian ad-litem
1,181
instances of support for child victims, survivors of domestic violence, or sexual assault
12,000,000+
pounds of free or reduced-cost food was distributed to partner agencies and local feeding programs
Upward Mobility
1,138
children and youth demonstrated improvement in academic performance during the school year
$1,449,839
of debt was repaid by consumers who attended financial counseling sessions
1,132
people were able to attend a job training program
318
youth in career exploration or enrichment programs demonstrated increased job-related or soft skills to prepare them for successful employment
4,752
moderate-income people and seniors received free tax return preparation services or filed taxes using free software, securing $11,549,401 in tax credits and tax refunds
702
children (ages 0-5) demonstrated measurable improvement in social, emotional, language, and other essential skills to prepare them to enter school ready to learn
112
parents or caregivers of children age 0-5 demonstrated gained parenting skills and knowledge about age-appropriate childhood development
2,478
children and youth improved social-emotional and resistance skills
1,024
people increased their financial knowledge after attending financial literacy classes
525
people adhered to a monthly budget or payment plan, 436 people increased their savings, and 63 households avoided foreclosure after attending financial counseling or mediation sessions
231
adults achieved their education goals, 66 people demonstrated progress in GED subject areas, and 17 people attained their GED
1,400
disaster victims or people experiencing homelessness moved from emergency shelter to transitional or permanent housing
Crisis Response
We were built for this.
Founded in 1938 after the Great Depression, United Way was created to respond to crises. When the pandemic began, United Way mobilized the community to help those most severely impacted before federal relief funds were eventually made available. Whether it’s an economic collapse, a hurricane, a fire, or COVID-19, United Way is here, and we can’t do it without you.
211
211 is a free, confidential service provided by United Way of the Coastal Empire to ensure every person in the community has access to the best resources available.
Greatest Needs
United Way Volunteers
United Way Volunteers harnesses the time and talents of others to create positive change in our community.
hours
volunteers
projects
value
Based on Independentsector.org, the 2019 Georgia State value of a volunteer is $25.86/hour (2020 data not yet available)
Leadership
United Way is powered by volunteers. Thank you to our board and community partners.
In early 2020, people were losing their jobs by the thousands as the spread of COVID-19 interfered with the financial successes of businesses everywhere. Nevertheless, when United Way launched its annual workplace campaign company donors gave as much as they could to uplift the people of our four-county region. Creative measures, such as the Always United Challenge, were implemented to encourage both companies and consumers to donate back to others in need.
The saying, “With hardship, there is hope”, became our new headline of optimism. Led by Campaign Chair Chief Terry Enoch, Campus Chief of Police of the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System—United Way of the Coastal Empire kicked-off its annual fundraising campaign before a live audience through our media supporters: WJCL-TV, WSAV-TV, and WTOC-TV. We are grateful for all of our donors who contributed through the Community Fund. A special thank you to our Alexis de Tocqueville and Beacon members who helped lead the way in 2020.
Tocqueville Society
Our Alexis de Tocqueville Society leaders set both an example and standard in giving, helping to improve lives throughout our four-country region.
Beacon Society
Beacon Society members demonstrate their deep commitment to making our community a better place by giving at this leadership level.
Other Giving Societies
Thank You to our Media Partners
Something about the extra support they provided through the pandemic and every year.
Carriage Trade PR
Savannah Business Journal
The Savannah Herald