In 2021, United Way of the Coastal Empire launched an ambitious 2021–2028 Strategic Plan shaped by input from more than 400 community stakeholders and grounded in a commitment to stronger partnerships, equity, and measurable impact. In 2026, we introduced a Strategic Plan Addendum for 2026–2028 to strengthen and refine that work. The addendum incorporates new insights from ALICE data, which was not yet available when the original plan was developed. Released statewide in Georgia in 2024 through United Ways of Georgia, this data provides a clearer picture of the financial challenges facing hardworking households across our region and helps ensure our strategies remain responsive, data-informed, and focused on advancing Safety Net and Upward Mobility outcomes.
Mission
United Way of the Coastal Empire improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community.
Vision
We are united by a vision of the community in which all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential and families thrive.
About Us
Founded in 1938 as the Community Chest and renamed United Way in 1975, United Way of the Coastal Empire has grown to serve five counties: Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, and Long. We raise funds, provide grants, help nonprofits strengthen their work, offer direct services where there are gaps, organize and support volunteer efforts, bring community partners together, and advocate to improve the lives of all people throughout our region.
What We Do
All thirty United Way organizations across Georgia aligned to invest in a powerful data tool called ALICE. ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and represents the growing number of families who are unable to afford the basics of housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, and technology. ALICE measurements provide a comprehensive, unbiased picture of financial hardship.
Our first report was delivered in 2023, helping us better understand the realities facing working individuals and families in our area who earn above the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford basic necessities.
According to the latest ALICE Report from 2024, on average, 43% of households in our region are living at or below the ALICE threshold and are unable to afford essentials despite being employed.
Our Focus
United Way of the Coastal Empire takes a twofold approach to address the needs of those living at and below the ALICE threshold by providing Safety Net resources and services while also promoting long-term stability through Upward Mobility opportunities.
How We Measure Our Work:
Our team tracks over 300 metrics and has identified seven key roll-up measures that serve as impact goals for our grants and direct service programs.
All Impact Areas
1. Number of clients served (duplicated)
2. Number of unique clients served (unduplicated)
Safety Net Specific
3. Number of unique clients served (unduplicated) who received basic needs support but were also referred to resources for upward mobility
Upward Mobility Specific
4. Number of individuals who enter, re-enter, and/or advance in the workforce
5. Number of individuals who increase income through higher earnings, better benefits, and/or reduced expenses
6. Number of individuals demonstrating academic or skill improvement through industry-recognized assessments or credentialling
7. Number of individuals/ households acquiring and/or preserving assets
*Strategic 7 implemented starting FY26-27