BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation Promotes Innovation in Health Through Catalyst Grants
February 19, 2020
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Each year, the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation works with organizations to promote and support healthier South Carolinians, particularly the economically vulnerable. In 2019, the Foundation awarded 13 Catalyst Grants to organizations for projects that foster innovation to improve the health and well-being of those throughout the state.
Catalyst Grants awarded to statewide initiatives include:
Children’s Trust of South Carolina — Through its Race Equity and Inclusion Partnership project, the Children’s Trust of South Carolina will develop and promote a list of informed policies and practices to advance race equity and inclusion. Race equity and inclusion is a growing area of interest in public health, with the idea that breaking down barriers from institutional racism will allow individuals opportunities to reach their full potential.
Fact Forward — Will aim to bridge the gap between pediatrics and reproductive health by assembling an expert panel and then convert learning to a work plan to produce professional development opportunities for pediatric providers on adolescent reproductive health, preventing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
SC Alliance of YMCAs — The purpose of this project is to identify the YMCA as an extension of health care services by building partnerships with medical providers as YMCAs expand their delivery system of evidence-based practices for individuals with chronic health conditions.
SC Thrive — The Veteran Coalition Development Grant will develop an action plan to focus and coordinate efforts among veteran-serving organizations (VSOs) across South Carolina through convening VSOs and gathering data to create an action plan for coordinated veteran resources.
United Way Association of South Carolina Inc. — This grant supports the SC Counts Collaborative, a collective effort to increase the number of South Carolina’s “Hard-to-Count” individuals participating in the 2020 Census.
Upstate projects include:
United Way of the Piedmont — The Thriving Families Project will equip six local nonprofit organizations with tools and techniques to introduce, implement and evaluate a new approach of working with clients using behavioral change techniques. This will enable case managers to shift their approach to support clients to reach health and financial goals by recognizing what individual, community and environmental factors influence client behavior, with the aim to shift from rewarding “crisis” behavior to rewarding choices that can help clients progress to better stability for their families.
United Way of Greenwood and Abbeville Counties — Will create a web-based platform that provides easy-to-understand health and quality-of-life indicators for Greenwood County. This system will equip local leaders, including government and hospital officials, to create a coordinated, prevention-based community plan to improve health outcomes while addressing social determinants of health.
South Carolina Office of Rural Health — Through this project, SCORH will engage rural libraries to serve as pilot sites for integration of social work services leading to improved health outcomes for individuals served. This project implements recommendations from the SC Rural Health Action Plan that rural libraries can serve as an access point for health and services.
Faces and Voices of Recovery Greenville — FAVOR Greenville will expand its Emergency Department Overdose Program to include inpatient cases caused by substance use. This program connects economically vulnerable patients to peer recovery coaching during hospitalization rather than as a referral after discharge.
Pee Dee region award recipient:
Healthy Learners — Healthy Learners will conduct one of the first mass health screenings of children in a school district (K-12) in Dillon County. Four types of screenings will be provided at the beginning of the school year: vision, dental, asthma and hearing. Data from this pilot will be used to determine how many children have unmet health care needs that would not be identified without this screening approach, and the replicability of districtwide health screenings in other school districts.
Midlands area award recipients:
American Heart Association Mid-Atlantic Region — Feed SC-Foodscape Exploration in Aiken and Lexington counties will interview food stamp recipients in rural communities to understand their food shopping behaviors and their use of “dollar stores” and other non-traditional food outlets.
Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc. (MIRCI) — MIRCI will conduct a pilot project with Richland Northeast High School to evaluate the impact of sending clinicians to a high school campus — which is not geographically close to the downtown Youth Drop-In Center or other homeless shelter services — and the impact of this approach in reducing the number of high school dropouts and cases of homelessness. Activities will include providing outreach, behavioral health screenings and connection to treatment for youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Midlands Housing Alliance — This pilot project will allow Transitions to begin housing medically fragile residents immediately while arranging for them to receive short-term help with their activities of daily living until they are enrolled in Medicaid/Medicare and permanently housed.
“Assisting organizations in developing innovative ideas to improve the health and well-being of the people of South Carolina is important to the Foundation and our core values,” said Erika Kirby, executive director of the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation. “Implementing these pioneering projects in our communities is critical to combating the health issues and disparities that affect our state.”
To learn more about the Foundation and other grant opportunities and initiatives, visit the website.
The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Union Uplifted, a cradle-to-career initiative with United Way of the Piedmont serving as the lead partner organization, has named its first Executive Director. Joey Haney, retired Union County Schools Superintendent, will step into the role beginning July 13. Union Uplifted grew from more than two years of deep listening across Union County: 26 community conversations, more than 850 residents who shared their hopes and concerns, and 39 community champions who stepped forward to help shape the work. It is a partnership anchored by Union County School District, United Way of the Piedmont, and Spartanburg Academic Movement, with partners from healthcare, business, higher education, government, faith communities, and the nonprofit sector. Guided by the StriveTogether framework, Union Uplifted is designed to ensure that every child in Union County has the support they need from prenatal through career.
When United Way of the Piedmont established the Spartanburg Youth Philanthropy Board in 2014, the idea was straightforward: give high school students a seat at the table, let them learn how community investment works, and trust them to lead. More than a decade later, the 2025-2026 Board showed what that idea looks like in action. This year's Board brought together 26 members from seven high schools across six school districts, logging more than 215 hours of service across our community through the Fall Food Drive, MLK Day of Service, the OneSpartanburg Internship Fair, and the Spring Breakout, held in partnership with the City of Spartanburg and Spartanburg Academic Movement. Along the way, they invested $5,000 into six local youth-serving programs through a grant process they helped run, including conducting the interviews themselves. Fifteen seniors graduate this year, most of whom gave two years to this work. Their commitment reflects something broader about what YPB has always been built on: that young people need roles and space to lead in our community.
On May 19, we honored the volunteers who make our work possible during our annual Volunteer Celebration. Presented by the Timken Company, the event recognized individuals and teams whose service continues a 90‑year legacy of impact across the region. “At United Way of the Piedmont, our vision is a community where everyone thrives. For 90 years, that vision has held because people chose to show up for one another.” shared Angela Halstead, Board of Directors Chair-Elect. “That commitment shows up in bold ways and quiet ones: through volunteers who lead with heart, partners who collaborate for greater impact, and investments that help families build financial security.” United Way extends our deepest gratitude to the incredible people who have united in service with us, and we congratulate each of this year’s outstanding award recipients. 2026 Volunteer Celebration Award Winners Women United Award: Lucy Woodhouse Tomeka Pierce African American Leadership Society Award: Pierre Brewton Walter S. Montgomery Young Leader Award: Amanda Champion Advocate of the Year: Joey Haney Tom Barnet Award for Volunteer Service: Carey Rothschild Community Partner Award: A Place to Call Home & The Faith Initiative to End Child Poverty We also recognized the following groups that gave their time to our programs and investments this past year: Board of Directors AmeriCorps Members Community Investment Process Volunteers Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Volunteers Together, these volunteers, donors, and partners made a true difference for our community. Explore volunteer opportunities →
Shay Smith, Community Resource Coordinator Supervisor and Lead Coordinator for United Way of the Piedmont’s work in Cherokee County, is passionate about building relationships that help families move forward. Through her role, she works closely with local partners, organizations, and residents to strengthen community connections and expand access to critical resources. Her work reflects our commitment to collaboration, ensuring that families across Cherokee County have the support they need to thrive. As a Lead Coordinator in Cherokee County, Shay helps bring community partners together to address local needs and move collaborative solutions forward. From supporting families with budgeting guidance and connecting them to resources, to training and leading a team of Community Resource Coordinators, her work helps advance our focus on Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, Health, and Community Resiliency. Living and working in Cherokee County has made the impact even more meaningful for her. She gets to see firsthand partners providing food, parenting resources, shelter, and financial support . “When we can help families connect to resources or stabilize an urgent need, it gives them the opportunity to take a breath and begin planning for their future. Sometimes just one connection can make a family’s journey a little easier.”
Five new members are joining United Way of the Piedmont’s Board of Directors. Representing our region across multiple sectors, counties, and backgrounds, each Board Member uniquely strengthens the United Way reach and mission. Welcome to the new members of the Board: Dr. Lacresha Byrd, Union County Schools Chunsta Miller, Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina Al Swanson, AFL Cal Wicker, Pinnacle Financial Partners Francisca Yanez, Contec, Inc. United Way also thanks all departing Board Members for their years of dedicated service: Donda Bishop, AFL Jennifer Cash, Synovus Bank Shaunté Evans, Spartanburg Housing Mitch Kennedy, City of Spartanburg Beth Lancaster, Spartanburg District 7 Angela Halstead of Coldwell Banker Caine has served on the Board for 4 years and will serve as the new Board Chair. She shares, "As a Board Member, I have loved seeing the impact United Way makes across all ages and every walk of life, whether it's providing critical assistance to those who need it or offering donors and volunteers a chance to be part of something truly collaborative. Very few organizations are able to touch so many lives, and I’m honored to serve as Board Chair and continue my part in this mission.” View United Way’s full Board of Directors →
Written by Anna Grace Kellam, United Way of the Piedmont intern and student at Oakbrook Preparatory School in Spartanburg If you had asked me before I started volunteering what it really meant, I probably would’ve said something simple—helping others or giving back. But through my experiences, especially interning with the United Way of the Piedmont, I’ve come to realize it’s much more personal than that. Volunteerism isn’t just about completing service hours or checking a box. For me, it’s been about finding where I fit in my community and realizing that even small actions can make a real difference. It’s easy to think that one person can’t do much, but volunteering showed me that change actually starts with individuals who are willing to show up. One of the biggest things I’ve taken away is how much you grow through serving others. Yes, you’re helping your community; but, you’re also building confidence, learning how to communicate, and developing leadership skills without even realizing it at first.
On March 26, 78 women from across our region gathered at Dillard's Spartanburg for a night of fashionable fun and lasting change. Women United's Power of the Purse event had it all: elegance, purpose, and many moments of connection. Over $6,000 was raised in a single evening to support local women facing housing insecurity right here in our tri-county footprint. Every purse bid, raffle ticket, and ticket purchased added up to resources, stability, and hope for neighbors who need it most. "Evenings like this remind us why we do this work," said Taylor Miller, United Way of the Piedmont. "When I looked around that space and saw those incredible women raising money, laughing, and giving — all for a neighbor they may never meet — that's the power of this community." Power of the Purse is one night, but the work of Women United goes on. Women United is a strong local community of women who use their strength to lift others up through year-round philanthropy and engagement . In addition to their hard work, this event was a success because of our amazing sponsors, purse donors, and every single woman who bought a ticket, brought a friend, and showed up ready to give. This year’s Power of the Purse was just the beginning, and we’re excited to see what we do together next. Special thanks to our 2026 Power of the Purse sponsors: Prada: Dillard’s Spartanburg Kate Spade: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Coco Chanel: Jeter Hrubula Wealth Strategies
The Foundation On November 15, 1936, a group of community members and local agencies gathered in Spartanburg with a shared question: What if we started working together to meet local needs? Out of that gathering, the United Campaign in Spartanburg was born, which was a collective effort to fill gaps in services and raise funds for the good of all.
Tax season can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. If you or someone you serve needs help filing taxes this year, there are trusted, free resources available for people right here in our community. In-Person Tax Help Through VITA Our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) clinics are open through mid-April and ready to help. Through the IRS-supported VITA program, households earning $67,000 or less per year can receive free, in-person tax preparation assistance from IRS-certified staff and volunteers. This service helps ensure returns are filed accurately and that families receive the credits and refunds they’re eligible for. Appointments are available for eligible individuals and families living in Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties. To schedule an appointment, call 2-1-1 or 1-866-892-9211. Prefer to File From Home? For households earning under $89,000 annually, free online filing is available through MyFreeTaxes.com. This secure, easy-to-use platform allows individuals and families to file both federal and state taxes at no cost from the comfort of home. Last-Minute Tax Clinic: Walk-Ins Welcome Need help close to the deadline? Our team and volunteers will provide a Last-Minute Tax Clinic in April for anyone who needs support before Tax Day. No appointment necessary—just come by during clinic hours for assistance. Find the details below: CC Woodson April 14 from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Walk-ins accepted all day Learn More & Share Accurate tax filing can mean larger refunds, access to valuable tax credits, and greater financial security for local families. Please share this information widely with clients, neighbors, and community members who may benefit. Additional information can be found here →
On January 19, over 400 volunteers across Spartanburg County came together for United Way of the Piedmont’s annual MLK Day of Service, collectively contributing 933 hours of service. Hosting this event for over a decade, United Way of the Piedmont has been able to provide support to over 16 non-profit and community partners. Hands-on projects ranging from trail cleanups to period kit packing provided volunteers with the opportunity to come together and support the organizations strengthening our community. Amanda Richardson, Vice President of Brand Experience at United Way of the Piedmont, volunteered alongside her children to create artwork for women and children preparing to move into Bridgeway Village. Reflecting on the importance of serving on MLK Day, Richardson shared, “Giving back—especially on MLK Day—matters deeply to me. It’s a powerful opportunity to show my children that showing up for our neighbors can take many different forms.” United Way of the Piedmont extends a heartfelt thank you to the incredible volunteers who showed up, served, and made an impact this MLK Day. Your dedication and compassion showed our community that United Is the Way. We can’t wait to come together again for next year’s Day of Service on Monday, January 18, 2027.
