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United Way of Coastal Empire raised $9 million for region during 2025 campaign
The United Way of the Coastal Empire (UWCE) announced at a celebration on Tuesday evening that it had raised $9 million through its 2024-25 campaign.
Nearly $5 million of that amount will be directed to the United Way's Community Fund, which, in part, channels resources back into the five-county service region by supporting nonprofits that provide services, such as affordable childcare, stable housing and financial empowerment for families. Another nearly $3 million will go towards grants, disaster relief funds and more.
'United Way's mission, as many of us know, is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community,' said UWCE CEO Kimberly Waller during the ceremony held at the Peregrin rooftop bar at the Perry Lane Hotel. 'And we do that by providing a strong safety net for the most vulnerable and creating pathways for upward mobility.'
Three Savannah-based corporate donors―Gulfstream Aerospace, Colonial Group and Georgia Ports Authority― contributed more than half a million dollars each to the campaign. Gulfstream alone raised $1 million.
'After storms hit our area this past year, Gulfstream stepped up in a big way when we needed them most,' Waller said.
Following the three storms last fall, UWCE activated its Rapid Response Disaster Fund, which, with $1 million in donations, helped provide hot meals to 3,700 people in need.
'This has been an incredible experience, and I'm deeply grateful for everyone who contributed to the success of this year's campaign,' said Yancey Ford, the 2025 campaign chair and Effingham County Schools Superintendent.
UWCE kicked off its campaign in September 2024 with several performances from regional high school bands. The annual Turkey Trot, held on the morning of Thanksgiving, broke the event's record by raising more than $50,000 for the community fund. In March, the annual Women Who Rule campaign netted more than $105,000 for the Women United Transportation Fund, more than 25% of that sum was raised during a luncheon—a record-breaking amount that was collected through donations from people in the room.
Ansley Franco is a general assignment reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach her at AFranco@
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: United Way of the Coastal Empire raises millions in fundraising campaign
