A Plan Built with the Community
United Way of the Coastal Empire is deeply committed to helping local families achieve greater stability, access opportunity, and build a better future. Through the creation of a long-term “Investable Plan,” UWCE is working with families, employers, faith groups, schools, government and local organizations across the Greater Savannah Region (Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty and Long counties) to identify the strategies, resources, and partnerships needed to make that vision a reality.
This isn’t a plan United Way is writing on its own: it’s driven by data and meant to reflect the priorities and expertise of the whole community, especially the families living this experience firsthand. Our goal is to develop an aligned, community-wide plan that builds on the strategies and efforts already underway across the region, so more families are working and able to thrive, not just get by.
Why This Work Matters
Our focus is on supporting ALICE families, which are households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed.
ALICE families are working and earning income but often do not earn enough to consistently afford the basics or build financial security. They earn too much to qualify for many assistance programs, but not enough to keep up with the cost of living. Across UWCE’s five-county region of Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, and Long counties, between 30% and 52% of households are living below the ALICE threshold, depending on the county, highlighting a significant opportunity to strengthen economic mobility for families across our region.
By focusing on the conditions and opportunities that help ALICE families get ahead, we can work toward a community where more families can move from financial instability to stability, security, and opportunity.
What We’re Exploring
In initial conversations with families, employers, schools, government, faith groups, nonprofits, and community leaders across the region, and building on decades of work and relationships in the community, several connected areas are beginning to emerge as areas of focus:
- Child care that allows parents to work and earn income while kids arrive at school ready to learn
- Children reading on grade level by third grade
- Students understanding their options early, whether that’s enrollment in higher education, enlistment in the military, or employment to achieve their goals
- Adults understanding their career options and connecting to training and support that helps them transition from jobs to careers
- Temporary support that helps families bridge the gap until they can access higher earning potential and greater economic stability.
We Want to Hear from You
The focus areas above were developed from real conversations already underway, but no plan like this is complete without hearing from as many people in this community as possible. If you live or work in the greater Savannah region, we want your input! Click below to fill out a 15-question survey. This input will then be combined with robust community data to drive strategies.
Please share your ideas. There are no wrong answers – we’re listening.
About This Investment
This work is being made possible in part through an investment from Blue Meridian Partners, a national philanthropic organization that brings philanthropists together to find, fund, and scale solutions that propel economic and social mobility for America’s young people and families. The investment supports this planning process but does not guarantee future funding or investment from Blue Meridian.
Investable Plan Development Process
Here is where we stand in our planning process, and what’s ahead.
Phase 1
Engagement
& Planning
Jul-Aug
Phase 2
Stakeholder Engagement
& Community Needs
Assessment
Aug-Nov
WE ARE HERE
Phase 3
Strategy
Design
Nov-Jan
Phase 4
Implementation
Planning
Jan-Mar
Phase 5
Finalizing the
Investable Plan
Mar-Apr
Faq
Place-based means bringing local leaders and organizations together to develop solutions tailored to the unique needs, assets, and opportunities of a specific community. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, a place-based partnership brings leaders across sectors together to identify shared goals, align resources, and work collectively toward measurable outcomes.
Blue Meridian Partners brings philanthropists together to find, fund, and scale solutions that propel economic and social mobility for America’s young people and families, ultimately transforming life trajectories. Through its Place Matters portfolio, Blue Meridian aims to improve economic and social mobility in communities across the US through investments in place-based partnerships and the catalytic supports that sustain them. United Way of the Coastal Empire has received a planning investment from Blue Meridian to work with our community to develop a long-term plan for advancing economic and social mobility across the region. The process will also help identify ways public and private funding could be aligned around the community’s priorities in the future. Any future investment from Blue Meridian Partners would be determined through a separate process and is not guaranteed by this initial investment.
This current investment supports the planning process, including listening to the community, gathering data, and developing a long-term plan. It does not fund new programs or services, and it does not guarantee future funding. Any future investments would be considered separately and informed by what we learn through the planning process.
No. This work is intended to build on what is already working in our community, not replace it. United Way, local agencies, and other partners will continue their existing work. The goal is to identify where we can strengthen, connect, and build on those efforts to create greater impact together.
The information we collect through surveys, conversations, and community sessions will help shape the priorities and direction of the plan. Input will remain confidential and will only be shared in aggregate form; input will not be attributed to individual participants. The final plan will reflect the collective input and perspectives gathered throughout the process.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. It describes working households that earn above the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford the basic costs of living. ALICE helps us better understand families who are working and contributing to our community, yet still facing significant financial barriers. Focusing on ALICE helps ensure the plan prioritizes families facing the greatest financial barriers while also addressing the conditions that can help them build greater stability and economic mobility.
We’re currently in the listening and information-gathering phase of the process. The plan will begin taking shape in early 2027, with a final plan expected by spring 2027. From there, it can serve as a 10-year roadmap to help guide investment, coordination, and collective action across the region.