Trident United Way, founded in 1944, serves the Charleston Tri-County through a 211 helpline and ALICE-focused programs that pair families with navigators. Here is what it does, how to get help, and how to give.
The affiliate works to uplift families out of poverty across the Charleston Tri-County, raising money and directing it to programs and partners. It runs a 211 helpline, leads the area's ALICE research, and pairs families with navigators who connect them to support.
Its service area covers Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. David "DJ" Hampton II became president and CEO in 2023.
The fastest way to reach help is 211, which provides information about and referral to health and human service resources across the Tri-County. Trident United Way also connects families to support through its Family Navigators.
| Program | What it does |
|---|---|
| 211 Helpline | Information and referral to health and human service resources across the Tri-County. |
| ALICE family support | Connecting ALICE families to immediate assistance and longer-term opportunity. |
| Family Navigators | AmeriCorps members who help families across the financial-stability spectrum. |
| Free tax help | Volunteer tax assistance that helps working families claim credits at no cost. |
ALICE represents Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed families who earn more than the federal poverty level but fall below the cost of basic needs.
Trident United Way builds much of its work around ALICE: families who work yet cannot afford housing, transportation, food, and child care. Its Family Navigators, including AmeriCorps members, meet families where they are and connect them to immediate help and a path toward stability.
The ALICE Threshold, the income needed to afford basic essentials, anchors how the affiliate measures need and targets its programs across the Tri-County.
You can donate directly, give through a workplace campaign, or designate a gift to a specific cause. Donations support the affiliate's grants and family-navigation work.
Volunteers help in many ways, including free tax preparation. Trident United Way holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, and its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 57-0314378.
Information and referral across the Tri-County.
Connecting ALICE families to assistance and opportunity.
AmeriCorps members guiding families to stability.
Volunteer tax assistance for working families.
Programs supporting students and early learning.
Payroll campaigns that fund the affiliate's work.
Sources: Trident United Way (tuw.org) ALICE, history, and who-we-are pages; Charity Navigator and ProPublica (EIN 57-0314378). Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Trident United Way and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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