2008 Community Investments

Local volunteers on Community Councils use their knowledge and experience to target funds where the needs are greatest. To make the best use of contributor dollars, United Way holds agencies accountable for their programs, Grants are typically awarded for a period of three years, with continued funding dependent on satisfactory outcome reports. For more information on the tables, please scroll to the bottom of the page.

Eviction/Foreclosure Intervention/Prevention - Community Mediation Center

Council 
Year 
Amount 
Report 1 
Report 2 
Report 3 
Report 4 
FSST
2008
$34,030
-
-
-
- 
The Community Mediation Center will address the problem of rapidly increasing eviction and foreclosure rates in the Columbia, SC area by expanding services and conducting an advertising campaign to increase awareness of these services.  The Center will mediate and conciliate in cases of impending eviction and foreclosure. The goal is to keep 75% of 100 projected clients (75 families) in stable housing for at least six months post-mediation. The Center expects to increase the number of people served during the next year due to the advertising campaign.

Individual Development Accounts - The Cooperative Ministry

Council 
Year 
Amount 
Report 1 
Report 2 
Report 3 
Report 4 
FSST
2008
$150,000
-
-
-
- 
The Cooperative Ministry's Individual Development Account (IDA) program will assist 28 low to moderate-income families in purchasing assets such as a home, business, or education by matching their savings 1:2.  Participants must complete financial education and asset-specific training to be eligible for the program.  The outcome of financial stability through asset and wealth development will be indicated by number of clients enrolled in program, number of participants that complete financial education, number of participants that reach savings goal and matching funds, and number of participants that read IDA goal.  The IDA program is integrated and closely related with the Financial Education and EITC programs.

Financial Education - The Cooperative Ministry

Council 
Year 
Amount 
Report 1 
Report 2 
Report 3 
Report 4 
FSST
2008
$65,000
-
-
-
- 
The Financial Education and Counseling Program is designed to assist individual in improving their financial skills and knowledge through free individual counseling and four-week class sessions.  The program will provide 1,100 hours of education and counseling to 360 people, resulting in increased financial stability of individuals and families, indicated by the number of participants that remain financially stable and do not request emergency assistance for at least six months, and the number of participants who reach their individual financial goal.

Tax Preparation & EITC Outreach - The Cooperative Ministry

Council 
Year 
Amount 
Report 1 
Report 2 
Report 3 
Report 4 
FSST
2008
$75,000
-
-
-
- 
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal income tax credit available to working individuals and families. It is the nation's largest and most effective federal aid program to raise individuals and families to or above the poverty line. However, it is estimated that up to 15-20% of eligible EITC refunds go unclaimed each year. For the six counties of the Midlands this is estimated to be more than $20 million annually lost to the community.  The Cooperative Ministry Tax Preparation and EITC Outreach program will establish tax preparation sites in the Midlands and aid low-income families. TCM hopes to train 80 volunteers to prepare a total of 1,500 tax returns at 8 sites in the Midlands. TCM will also use grant money to establish additional sites in Fairfield and Newberry counties, and to increase outreach and public awareness of the EITC program. The desired outcome of the program is to increase financial stability of individuals and families through increased income and wealth development, indicated by the number of people receiving EITC refunds, using the free tax prep sites, and participating in financial education programs.

Community Councils: The Community Council responsible for issuing a request for proposals (RFP)
EJLS - Education, Job & Life Skills Council
SB6 - Success By 6 (Formerly the Families, Individuals & Children Council)
H&R - Health & Recovery Council
FSST - Food, Shelter, Safety & Transportation Council

Year: The year refers to the first year in which the agency receives funding for that particular program. Grants are typically awarded for a three-year period. Very successful programs may be extended beyond three years and programs that do not meet expectations can be ended before the three year grant cycle is complete.

Amount: The amount refers to the funding the agency receives per fiscal year for the term of the grant.

Reports: Reports refer to the outcome reports agencies file with United Way.  Trained volunteers review the reports for progress. Continued funding for programs depends on satisfactory outcome reports. EE - Exceeds Expectations, ME - Meets Expectations, NI - Needs Improvement, DN - Does Not Meet Expectations