Dollar General Awards $20,000 in Adult Literacy Grants in Greenville County, $100,000 Over Past Decade

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GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Literacy Association (GLA) and United Ministries (UM) were awarded 2023 Adult Literacy Grants from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, a $20,000 investment in the Greenville County community building upon nearly $100,000 contributed in the past decade. GLA and UM are not-for-profit, charitable organizations that have been serving the community for over 50 years and have longstanding partnerships with the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.

“We are grateful to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for their investment in the work we do every day,” said Victoria Novak, Executive Director, Greenville Literacy Association. “This funding will support more than 500 adults with level-appropriate instruction in basic literacy and numeracy, GED preparation, learning English as a second language, digital literacy, and workplace and career-ready skills.”

In the Greenville region, 40,000 adults lack a high school diploma and 20,000 lack fluency in English.

GLA provides educational opportunities and support services on an individual basis, including participants with disabilities including learning, physical, emotional, and mental. Through local partnerships, the association also works to provide wrap-around services that encourage stabilization, including referrals to partner agencies, based on individuals’ needs and goals.

UM provides career and employment counseling, financial coaching, college admission, non-academic support services and GED tutoring services.

“United Ministries is pleased to continue a meaningful partnership with the Dollar General Literacy Foundation,” said Lizzie Bebber, Executive Director of United Ministries. “Their generosity makes it possible for us to provide high quality, personable and dignifying support to students pursuing a GED. Getting a GED is often the first step towards long term economic mobility, and we are grateful for partners like Dollar General who prioritize investment in our students.”

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation was established 30 years ago by Dollar General’s founding family and provides grant funding to support literacy and education initiatives serving individuals of all ages. The Adult Literacy Grant program creates access and opportunities for adults to learn by investing in organizations providing direct services to adults in need of adult basic education, GED or high school equivalency preparation, or learning English.

“For three decades, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has been privileged to help Americans of all ages achieve their dreams through education,” said Denine Torr, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy at Dollar General and Executive Director, Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “We are honored to partner with the Greenville Literacy Association and United Ministries to create brighter futures for Greenville County and open doors to personal, professional, and economic growth.”

The Foundation funds nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries within a 15-mile radius of Dollar General stores in the states in which they operate, and since 1993 has helped millions of students learn to read, prepare for the high school equivalency test, and learn English.