Clemson University’s annual United Way workplace campaign returns October 19 through November 7, bringing faculty and staff together to support neighbors in the Upstate and throughout South Carolina.
Clemson’s workplace campaign raised $72,718 last year support work in education, financial security, community resilience and more.
“We’re so thankful for Clemson’s faculty and staff and the support you gave through last year’s United Way campaign,” said Jeremy Price, senior vice president of growth and partnerships for the United Way of Pickens County. “Your giving helped children build their reading skills and improve test scores; families get their taxes done for free, and neighbors recover after a disaster. Thank you for caring about the people in our community and helping us be there for them together.”
You can donate to United Way via cash, check, credit card, or (most recommended) payroll deduction by visiting the United Way of Pickens County website. If you have donated via payroll deduction previously, your donation will roll over this year and no action is necessary. If you wish to increase your donation amount, you can do so through the link.
When employees donate, their gifts stay in the community in which they live — helpful to know for individuals who work and live in a place other than the city of Clemson. For those who work and live near main campus, which is the lion’s share of Clemson’s contributors, their gifts go to Pickens County and support the following programs:
Education
- Camp iRock is the Pickens UW summer reading program that helps children improve their reading abilities in an enriching summer camp environment.
- Born Learning, Lantern, and Preschool Pages are also education-related initiatives.
Financial Stability
- Free File is a free tax preparation service prepared by trained and IRS-certified volunteers. More than 200 tax returns at Clemson University were prepared with Free File assistance in 2026. A new partnership between Clemson University Graduate Student Government and the United Way expanded the reach of the Free File program to Clemson’s graduate students, who often face a unique set of financial challenges and may be filing for the first time.
- Pathways at Work is an intensive, one-on-one financial coaching program. Participants typically spend six to 18 months in the program covering topics like debt, credit and budgeting. Pathways aims to give participants the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to achieve freedom over their finances.
Additionally, Clemson University has supported the United Way through impactful, hands-on service. Call Me MiSTER students volunteer at Camp iRock, and Clemson Athletics partners with the United Way’s Champions for Literacy program, where Clemson student-athletes connect with young readers through volunteer opportunities that encourage reading and academic success. In the spring, the Clemson Chair Academy joined United Way of Pickens County to assemble more than 150 hygiene kits for residents across Pickens, Oconee and Anderson counties.
More information about Clemson’s United Way workplace campaign will be shared throughout October and November.
