UNITED WAY COMMUNITY FUND

Community Investment Volunteers

Grant Cycle 2026-2028

What is a Community Investment Volunteer?

Community Investment (CI) Volunteers play a vital role in investing United Way Community Fund dollars back into the community. Trained by United Way staff, they review funding requests, visit local agencies, analyze program outcomes, and make funding recommendations. Their work helps direct resources to the agencies creating the greatest impact in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, and Long counties.

What is the Community Fund?Volunteer Commitment Investment Process

Hear From Our Volunteers

Read about the meaningful connections our volunteers have made, the inspiring organizations they’ve encountered, and how this experience has deepened their understanding of and commitment to our community.

Read Their Stories

What is the Community Fund?

Each year, United Way of the Coastal Empire raises money for the Community Fund. These contributions go directly back into the community to create real, lasting change for individuals and families in our five-county region.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. United Way is the village that supports our community, and the Community Fund is how it happens—directing resources where they are needed most to reach more people across the region.

The Community Fund makes it possible to:

Connect people to important resources like food, housing, and family support
Provide grants to trusted nonprofits to fund impactful local programs
Connect volunteers to causes that strengthen our community
Provide tailored services and assistance to those in each of our five-county region (Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty and Long counties).
And more!

When you support the Community Fund, you’re investing in the collective strength of our community and the belief that everyone deserves a chance to thrive.

See Impact Give to the Community Fund

What is the Commitment?

Volunteers will be assigned to an impact area based on their schedule availability. Impact areas include Safety Net services and Upward Mobility priorities such as Quality, Affordable Childcare; Ready & Resilient Workforce; Financially Empowered Families; and Safe & Stable Housing programs.

Each panel will meet weekly for up to 4 hours during the assigned time blocks for 10 weeks. No meetings will be held during SCCPSS Spring Break or the St. Patrick’s Day holiday week.

Meetings will be hosted in person at the United Way office, with a virtual participation option available to all volunteers; however, in-person attendance is strongly encouraged.

February – April 2026

10 Weeks Total
4 Hours Per week
Application Review Meetings

No meetings during spring break or St. Patrick’s week.

We’re looking for someone who:

Is committed to United Way’s mission to improve lives
Is interested in the Community Investments process and how our funds are distributed
Would like to be an integral part of helping United Way make informed decisions to direct Community Fund dollars to local nonprofits
Can make the necessary time and travel commitments, which typically involve 4 hours per week of volunteer time for a 10-week period

How does the Process Work?

Raise Funds

United Way fundraises for the Community Fund throughout the year from donors across the community to help support nonprofit programs.

Volunteer Orientation and Training

Individuals are trained and given everything they need to understand agency funding requests and community needs.

Application Reviews

Volunteers review funding requests from applicant agencies and note any questions or concerns in advance of the application review meetings.

Application Review Meetings

Volunteer panels meet weekly during their designated time blocks. This is an opportunity for volunteers to hear from applicants and ask questions.

Application Evaluations

Volunteers first complete evaluations individually using a standardized rubric, then convene as a panel to finalize rankings. Panel co-chairs will determine final award recommendations based on program rankings and a funding formula, which are then presented to United Way’s Board of Directors for approval.

Year-Round Investment Support

United Way reviews agency progress reports and provides ongoing training and technical assistance to help agencies build program capacity to deliver the best results for the community.

Interested in getting involved?

Ready to make a difference? Your community needs you—and we make it easy to help.

Sign Me Up

Hear from our volunteers

Luella M. Sanders

AVP, Regional Community Engagement, VyStar Credit Union

“Serving as a community investment volunteer with United Way has been a truly rewarding experience. It provided me with the opportunity to learn firsthand about the many nonprofit organizations in our community and the vital services they offer. From addressing basic needs to supporting education, health, and financial stability, I gained a deeper understanding of how these organizations make a meaningful difference in people’s lives every day. This experience not only broadened my perspective on community needs but also strengthened my appreciation for the collaborative efforts required to create lasting impact.”

Laura Lane McKinnon

Executive Director, Housing Savannah

“I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Community Investments committee for the past seven years, and it has been powerful to watch the progress of the funded agencies, year after year. The process is rigorous, thoughtful, and ensures that resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact. What stands out most to me is that it doesn’t just distribute funding: it also supports non-profits through training and capacity-building that helps them grow stronger over time. Being part of this work has given me a front-row seat to the way United Way strengthens our community in lasting and measurable ways. I’m proud to be a small part of the effort.”

Doris L. Williams

Executive Director, Mary’s Place: Sexual Assault Center of the Coastal Empire, Inc.

“Serving as a Community Investment volunteer has been meaningful and vital. This role involves community voices directly in United Way’s grant review and approval process, ensuring fair, transparent, and accountable decisions. It preserves the integrity of funding and makes the United Way seal truly signify trust in our community. I strongly encourage others to serve. Your perspective matters: your time directly shapes which nonprofits can continue or launch impactful work.”

Irina Sadovova-Brown

Employment Specialist, Kudzu Staffing

“Serving on the Community Investments Committee with United Way of the Coastal Empire was an incredible experience. I felt welcomed and included by the other volunteers, and I gained a deeper understanding of the local nonprofits and programs United Way supports. Visiting organizations firsthand and hearing how grant funding would impact our community made the work meaningful, and I’d encourage others to get involved and volunteer their time.”