United Way of the Midlands (SC)

What United Way of the Midlands (SC) does

United Way of the Midlands is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit (Tax ID 57-0314396) founded in 1925 in Columbia, South Carolina, originally as the Community Chest and now in its centennial year. The organization serves six central South Carolina counties (Calhoun, Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Richland) and acts as a regional grantmaker, direct service operator, and convener of community resources organized around four pillars: Financial Security, Community Resiliency, Youth Opportunity, and Healthy Community. Direct service programs include WellPartners (free dental and eye clinics for uninsured individuals), the Midlands Reading Consortium (K-2 literacy tutoring across 17 elementary schools and 8 districts), Resilient Richland (Adverse Childhood Experiences intervention with school-based Resiliency Teams), Young Men United (college/career pathway initiative), and the Inclement Weather Center. It also serves as the lead agency for the federally funded Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless, a Continuum of Care covering 13 counties.

The organization distributes impact through a network of approximately 65-70 Community Impact Partners (including Harvest Hope Food Bank, The Cooperative Ministry, MIRCI, Homeless No More, Richland Library, Transitions, Salvation Army of the Midlands, Healthy Learners, City Year Columbia, and others) and operates tiered donor programs including the Tocqueville Society ($10,000+/year), Palmetto Society ($1,000+/year, 1,500+ members), Silver and Gold Palmetto tiers, Women in Philanthropy, Young Leaders Society (~500 members, ages 21-40), Always United, Small Business Alliance, and a Legacy Society for planned giving. Fundraising occurs through individual donations, workplace giving campaigns, corporate sponsorships, and foundation/government grants, with the 2024 Campaign for Good targeting $20 million.

The technology stack is composed entirely of third-party SaaS tools rather than proprietary platforms: Harness Giving powers the donation portal, PayPal processes alternative donation payments, Cognito Forms handles intake forms, Galaxy Digital runs the Volunteer Center platform (volunteer.uway.org), and Google Analytics tracks site traffic. There is no documented public API or SDK, no proprietary AI/ML capabilities, and no patents or trademarks. Program efficiency metrics are strong at 77.6% program expense ratio and 6.4% administrative costs, with a Charity Navigator four-star rating maintained continuously since 2016.

Name

United Way of the Midlands (SC)

Legal name

United Way of the Midlands

Website

https://uway.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United Way of the Midlands is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1925 serving six central South Carolina counties through grantmaking, direct services (literacy, dental/vision care, trauma intervention), and a network of ~70 partner nonprofits addressing financial stability, housing, education, and healthcare access.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Impact Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Community Housing Services (62422), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• Community impact programs
• Nonprofit fundraising services
• Donor engagement programs
• Workplace giving campaigns
• Social services coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Recurring and one-time donations from individual donors at various giving levels, including monthly giving programs and annual contributions through giving societies (Palmetto Society, Tocqueville Society, Women in Philanthropy, Young Leaders Society, Legacy Society).
2. Workplace Giving Campaigns: Corporate workplace giving programs where employees pledge donations through payroll deduction, representing a significant portion of annual fundraising.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from corporate partners for specific initiatives, events, and programs. Includes both financial contributions and in-kind support.
4. Grant Funding: Government and foundation grants supporting specific programs including housing initiatives, childhood trauma prevention, literacy programs, and healthcare access.
5. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: Charitable bequests, retirement plan beneficiary designations, and other planned giving instruments that provide long-term funding support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

United Way of the Midlands is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes individual donations, workplace giving campaigns, corporate sponsorships, grants, and planned giving to fund a portfolio of community impact programs across six central South Carolina counties. The organization directly operates health, education, and childhood trauma programs and channels a substantial share of contributed funds through approximately 65-70 Community Impact Partner organizations addressing financial security, housing stability, healthcare access, youth opportunity, and community resiliency.

Product overview

United Way of the Midlands is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) established in 1925 that serves six central South Carolina counties (Calhoun, Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Richland). Rather than a single product, the organization operates a portfolio of community impact programs organized around four strategic focus areas: Financial Security, Community Resiliency, Youth Opportunity, and Healthy Community. Key service offerings include the WellPartners Eye & Dental Clinic (free healthcare for uninsured individuals), Midlands Reading Consortium (K-2 literacy tutoring), Young Men United (college pathway support for young men of color), and Resilient Richland (childhood trauma intervention with school-based Resiliency Teams). The organization also operates affinity groups (Women in Philanthropy, Young Leaders Society), professional development programs (Blueprint for Leadership), and coordinates the Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless (MACH). Fundraising occurs through workplace campaigns, grants, and individual donations, with giving societies recognizing major donors at various levels. The organization reaches over 40,000 people annually through direct services and partnerships with approximately 65-70 Community Impact Partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tocqueville Society: Giving society for donors contributing over $10,000 per year, founded by United Way of America in 1972.
• Palmetto Society
• Legacy Society
• Young Leaders Society
• Women in Philanthropy (WIP)
• Always United
• Small Business Alliance
• Blueprint for Leadership
• Midlands Reading Consortium (MRC)
• WellPartners
• Resilient Richland
• Young Men United (YMU)

Products and services

• WellPartners Eye & Dental Clinic Free dental and eye clinics serving uninsured and underinsured individuals in the Midlands region, providing vision screenings, eyeglasses, dental cleanings, and other oral health services.
• Midlands Reading Consortium (MRC) K-2 reading and STEM tutoring program operating in 17 elementary schools across 8 school districts, providing volunteer tutors for one-on-one student support and building early learning skills.
• Young Men United (YMU) Evidence-informed initiative providing wrap-around support and barrier-free pathways for college-capable male high school students of color to reach their academic and career goals.
• Resilient Richland Childhood trauma initiative helping adults identify symptoms of trauma so children can be individually helped, including Resiliency Teams placed in schools with behavior interventionists and social workers.
• Women in Philanthropy (WIP) Affinity group for women leaders focused on leadership development, education, advocacy, and networking, overseeing an annual $50,000 investment into programs supporting women and children. Membership at $500 annually.
• Young Leaders Society (YLS) Affinity group for young professionals ages 21-40 providing networking, volunteer opportunities, professional development, and signature events. Membership: $250/year (ages 21-29) or $500/year (ages 30-40). Nearly 500 members.
• Giving Societies (Tocqueville, Palmetto, Legacy) Recognition levels for major donors: Tocqueville Society ($10,000+/year, founded 1972), Palmetto Society ($1,000+/year, founded 1984, with 1,500+ members, including Silver $2,500 and Gold $5,000 tiers), and Legacy Society for planned giving through bequests and retirement accounts.
• Blueprint for Leadership Professional development course preparing individuals for volunteer leadership service in the nonprofit sector. Eight-week program covering nonprofit law, board responsibilities, strategic leadership, and governance. Cost: $900 corporate participant, $450 nonprofit/government participant.
• Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless (MACH) Federally funded Continuum of Care serving 13 counties, coordinating housing resources, Point-in-Time Counts, and homeless services including the Inclement Weather Center. MACH was awarded over $4.1 million in HUD CoC grants.
• Inclement Weather Center Emergency shelter operated in partnership with the City of Columbia, Transitions, and the Salvation Army, opening when temperatures drop to 40 degrees or below to provide safe overnight shelter for adults experiencing homelessness.
• Community Impact Partners Program Network of approximately 65-70 health and human service agencies that meet organizational standards and address human needs in the community; partners receive grant funding and collaborate on community impact initiatives.
• 211 Hotline and Get Help Service 24/7 211 hotline for non-emergency human service referrals plus the Get Help web page directing community members to food, shelter, healthcare, and other basic needs resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• 56,096 lives changed in 2025 through grantmaking and direct services
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina (BCBS SC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor corporate sponsor and community partner supporting United Way's healthcare access initiatives. BCBS SC employees participate in United Way programs, and the organization supports WellPartners dental clinic operations.
• Dominion Energy South CarolinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner that presented $12,500 donation through HomeServe Cares Foundation partnership to benefit Senior Resources, Inc. Supports senior services and community programs.
• Lexington Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor healthcare system partner supporting United Way initiatives. Thomas Tafel of Lexington Medical Center named 2024 Judith M. Davis Volunteer of the Year.
• Mungo HomescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to build Michael's House, a first-of-its-kind market-rate home to benefit United Way and Homeless No More's housing stability work. Net proceeds fund Village at St. Andrews transitional housing.
• Midlands Housing Trust FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership announced November 2024 for Addison Pointe groundbreaking - a $19.4 million multi-unit housing complex for families with incomes 20%-70% of area median income in Richland County.
• Homeless No MorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term housing stability partner. Received $50,000 grant from Women in Philanthropy in 2018. Joint partnership with Mungo Homes for Michael's House project.
• Connelly BuilderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for Addison Pointe affordable housing project, working with United Way and Midlands Housing Trust Fund on the $19.4 million project.
• MIRCI (Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health services partner. Groundbreaking September 2024 on Millwood Place safe haven for unhoused young women. Receives support through Bank of America and Truist funding for housing and behavioral healthcare programs serving 450+ adults.
• Richland LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of Breaking Barriers Employment Resource Fair. New Hope Project provides case management, career coaching, and job placement for 50+ adults experiencing homelessness annually. Partnership on inclement weather shelter transportation.
• Colonial LifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner sponsoring United Way initiatives and workplace giving campaigns.
• Nelson MullinsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting United Way initiatives.
• Burr FormanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting United Way initiatives.
• Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless (MACH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way serves as lead agency for MACH, a federally funded Continuum of Care helping individuals obtain stable housing and employment. MACH covers 13 counties and was awarded over $4.1 million in HUD CoC grants.
• Communities In Schools of the MidlandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Resiliency Team pilot programs at Jackson Creek and Watkins-Nance elementary schools. Assists in hiring team members and provides dropout prevention services.
• Senior Resources, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceives funding through Dominion Energy and HomeServe Cares Foundation donation. Provides Meals on Wheels, home care, wellness centers, transportation for seniors in Richland County.
• Harvest Hope Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Impact Partner addressing food insecurity across 18 South Carolina counties, serving 370+ nonprofit agencies.
• The Cooperative MinistrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Impact Partner offering direct financial assistance, counseling, referrals, and long-term programs addressing root causes of poverty.
• TransitionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Inclement Weather Center operation providing shelter for adults experiencing homelessness when temperatures drop below 40 degrees. Moves people from homelessness to permanent housing.
• Salvation Army of the MidlandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Inclement Weather Center, providing hot dinner and breakfast to shelter guests. Provides crisis assistance, Christmas distribution, and youth programs.
• Healthy LearnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based nonprofit connecting children to care so poor health is not an obstacle to doing well in school. Addresses health as root cause of poverty.
• The Free Medical Clinic, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Impact Partner providing quality healthcare and medications at no cost to vulnerable community members.
• Boys and Girls Clubs of the MidlandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Impact Partner providing safe environment for children with programming in education, character development, health, and fitness.
• City Year ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnites diverse young people ages 17-24 for year of full-time community service, leadership development, and civic engagement.
• SC Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Millwood Place groundbreaking for safe haven for unhoused young women in Columbia.
• SC Department of Mental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Millwood Place project for unhoused young women mental health support services.
• Children's Trust of South CarolinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner on ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) data. Supporter of Resilient Richland initiative addressing childhood trauma.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Community Foundation of the Midlands: Columbia, SC-based community foundation managing charitable assets and making grants across the same six-county Midlands service area. Directly competes for donor dollars and corporate partnerships within the same geographic footprint while running a similar community-impact thesis.
• Central Carolina Community Foundation: Columbia, SC-based community foundation serving the Midlands region through grantmaking, donor-advised funds, and civic leadership initiatives. Already a financial partner to United Way on Millwood Place and a direct peer competing for community-level philanthropy in the same geography.
• United Way of Greater Atlanta: Larger regional United Way affiliate running a structurally similar model—workplace giving, grantmaking, direct service programs like 211, and lead-agency roles on regional homelessness initiatives. Useful benchmark for the upper bound of United Way of the Midlands' potential scale.
• United Way of Central Carolinas: Regional United Way affiliate serving the Charlotte, NC metropolitan area with a comparable community impact model focused on education, housing, and economic mobility. Operates the same workplace giving, grantmaking, and direct service playbook as United Way of the Midlands, making it the closest direct comparable.
• Harvest Hope Food Bank: A Community Impact Partner of United Way that addresses food insecurity across 18 South Carolina counties, serving 370+ nonprofit agencies. Operates as both a grantee and a comparable regional nonprofit with similar funding sources and corporate partnership structures.
• Salvation Army of the Midlands: Operates the Inclement Weather Center jointly with United Way and provides crisis assistance, shelter, and youth programs in the same service area. Direct co-delivery partner and competitor for donor dollars targeting homelessness and basic needs.
• Habitat for Humanity of the Midlands: Columbia-based Habitat affiliate building affordable housing in the same six-county region and competing for the same corporate sponsors and volunteer pools. Directly comparable on the housing development side of United Way's mission and a natural peer for capital project benchmarking.

Broad incumbents

• American Red Cross: National humanitarian nonprofit running workplace giving campaigns, disaster relief, and emergency services with a comparable multi-state donor base. Overlaps with United Way's emergency shelter and basic needs work but operates at national scale and is a corporate giving competitor.
• United Way Worldwide: The national federation supporting all local United Way affiliates, including setting brand standards, operating the 211 hotline, and coordinating national corporate partnerships. Not a direct competitor but the governing umbrella whose strategy shapes United Way of the Midlands' operating environment.

Regional players

• Together SC: Statewide association of South Carolina nonprofits providing capacity-building, advocacy, and research for the sector. Indirect peer shaping the regulatory and funding environment in which United Way operates, and a potential collaborator on advocacy issues affecting the Midlands nonprofit ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uwmidlands
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/UnitedWayMidlands
• Facebookfacebook.com/UWMidlands
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-way-of-the-midlands_2
• Instagraminstagram.com/uwmidlands

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Way of the Midlands (SC)