United Way of the Coastal Empire also serves as administrator for community initiatives that support the community impact agenda, including:

• Federal Emergency Management Assistance (FEMA), United Way of the Coastal Empire serves as administrator for FEMA, and the fiscal agent for some of its outlying service areas.  FEMA provides funding for utilities, mass meal, group homes, as well as emergency food and shelter to those in need.
• Economic Independence, United Way is working to reduce poverty and increase self-sufficiency through collaborative projects:  United Way of the Coastal Empire is an Annie E. Casey Foundation recipient for the Centers for Working Families, a strategic approach to assisting individuals in workforce development, training, employment and financial asset building.  EarnBenefits, a program of Seedco facilitated by United Way of the Coastal Empire, is dedicated to assisting low-wage workers and their families to access and secure public benefits.
• Volunteers In Tax Assistance (VITA), The Chatham-Savannah Asset Development Coalition, of which United Way of the Coastal Empire is a member, offers free tax preparation each tax season to low and moderate income taxpayers with family income less than $50,000. The tax preparation services were offered at 13 sites in three counties in 2010, including United Way’s Effingham Service Center.
• Community Indicators Project, is a partnership between United Way of the Coastal Empire, the City of Savannah, Chatham County and Armstrong Atlantic State University to develop and track Community Indicators – specific measurements used to assess the well-being of the community and to provide a blueprint for successful community impact.

For more information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at 912.651.7722.