GWG Co-Chairs' Update - August 2026

Funding Brighter Futures … 

Conestee Foundation was awarded a 2025 GWG grant of $100,000 to replace Woodie Walk, a key connector of the Green Loop trail in Conestee Nature Park that was destroyed during Hurricane Helene. Our grant helped build a resilient, stormproof, better than ever solution to ensure that Conestee's 200,000 annual visitors, many of them children, could continue to experience nature close to home. GWG members were on hand for the ribbon cutting in April to applaud CEO Erin Knight and her staff and to enjoy the finished product from a great vantage point. If you haven't been to Conestee for a while, go! It's a great chance to see firsthand what our gifts can do for literally hundreds of thousands of people!

Safe Harbor was awarded a $100,000 grant in 2023 toward the construction of a new shelter with co-located services. This new campus will almost double the number of individuals and families that they can house and markedly improves the services and facilities for domestic violence victims. It is still partly under construction, but the shelter will open completely later this fall.  On July 17 several GWG members were able to attend a preview of this amazing campus and toured all four of the 2 bedroom/one bathroom units that GWG members made possible. We remarked that we wish we could see the faces of those in the current facility when they see their new shelter for the first time. We suspect that they will smile, breathe a sigh of relief, and feel as we did: this place is beautiful, thoughtful, caring, hopeful, light-filled and reflects the dignity and respect they deserve. They may still need many additional items from furniture to toys to artwork, all of which can be dropped off at the Safe Harbor Resale Store on Wade Hampton. We will keep you posted!

What's Next

Each One Bring One

Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 5:30-7:30PM at The Cliffs Valley Clubhouse, 250 Knightsridge Rd, Travelers Rest, SC 29690. Learn how Feed & Seed Co. (one of our 2026 GWG grant recipients) is working to create a strong sustainable food system in Greenville County. Join us for wine & light bites. While bringing a guest is not required, this is a wonderful opportunity to welcome others who may be interested in learning more about GWG. Gated community, please RSVP by July 31st to gain access. (Carpooling opportunities available)

21st Annual Kickoff

Tuesday,September 22, 2026, 5:30 - 7:30PM at the Woodside Conference Center at Greenville Convention Center, 2 Eisenhower Drive, Greenville, SC 29607. Come and bring your friends to learn about how your generous donations have impacted our community through presentations from some of our former grant recipients. Watch your email for your invitation and directions. 

Strictly Social – Members Only Event

Backstage Pass; Mockingbird & Coach Factory Tour, Monday. October 5, 2026

3:30-5:30PM, located on the Peace Center Campus, 300 South Main Street Greenville South Carolina 29601. Please look for your personal invitation to join us for a unique opportunity to tour the 2 newest venues at the Peace Center … the Mockingbird, a sophisticated listening space for music with a warm, inviting atmosphere and the Coach Music Factory, Greenville’s historic downtown carriage factory that has evolved into a standing-room-only performance and event space. Stay tuned for more details.

Education Session

Spotlight on Environment: The Rise, Fall, and Recovery of Conestee Nature Preserve, Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 8:30-10:00AM at the Poinsett Club, 807 East Washington St, Greenville 29601. Conestee Nature Preserve is one of the Upstate’s most remarkable environmental success stories. You and your guests will learn from a panel of experts about the origins of Lake Conestee, the ecological challenges that shaped the land, the impact of Hurricane Helene, the ongoing restoration efforts, and what it takes to rebuild and protect this vital ecosystem for future generations. An invitation for this event is coming soon.

Annual Mailings

GWG’s Annual Report and Program Calendar will be mailed soon … be on the lookout for these items in your mailbox!

Committee Volunteers

Now is the perfect time to consider how you can further support our philanthropic efforts by joining a GWG Committee. Committee descriptions can be found here. Joining one or more of our committees is great way to learn more about GWG and meet new friends! Contact Melanie to volunteer.

Sponsorships

GWG members are reaching out to community leaders to secure 2026–2027 sponsorships. These requests are most effective when made through a personal connection. If you know a company or someone with business ties who may be interested in supporting GWG, please contact Melanie.

In Case You Missed It

20th Annual Meeting

On May 19, 2026, GWG members, guests and grantees met at Judson Mill to celebrate the conclusion of our 20th Anniversary. The highlight of this magical evening was the presentation of $525,799 in grants to seven grant award winners: Recraft Creative Reuse Center, Augustine Literacy Center of the Upstate, Blue Ridge Council, Scouting America, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired of South Carolina (ABVI), Feed & Seed Co., Julie Valentine Center, and United Way: Greenville Together.

Our updated grant awards video can be viewed including United Way: Greenville Together.

Let's Connect — On Every Platform!

GWG is growing our social media presence, and we want to grow it with you! Whether you're active on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram — personally or through your business — we'd love to connect. Here's how:  Email us your name, business name (if applicable), and your handle(s), and we'll start following and sharing your posts. The more we amplify each other, the more people GWG's impact reaches.


And of course — don't forget to follow GWG too! Together, we can turn 500 members into a social media powerhouse for good!