CommunityWorks announced it received a $300,000 grant from Truist Financial Corporation to support small businesses facing the effects of COVID-19 throughout South Carolina. This generous grant will be instrumental in advancing CommunityWorks’ efforts to help small businesses throughout South Carolina. As part of its partnership with OneSpartanburg Inc.’s Bringing Back the Burg Fund, CommunityWorks pledges to use $50,000 of the grant specifically for COVID-19 recovery efforts for Spartanburg businesses.

Tammie Hoy Hawkins, CEO of CommunityWorks, said, “This incredibly generous gift from Truist will be instrumental in the work we are doing to help businesses survive COVID-19. We are thankful for the support of Truist to strengthen communities in this trying time.”

OneSpartanburg Inc. and CommunityWorks established the Bringing Back the Burg campaign as an ongoing effort to financially assist qualifying small businesses impacted by COVID-19 through low interest and forgivable loans. The grant from Truist, which is part of the financial services company’s Truist Cares* initiative, will be instrumental in the Bringing Back the Burg campaign and for businesses and partnerships throughout South Carolina.

CommunityWorks helped nearly 200 small businesses apply for and receive over $2.6 million in funding through the Paycheck Protection Program. The organization continues to seek relief sources for businesses impacted by COVID-19, including several in-house financial relief products. The Truist Cares grant will support the programs of CommunityWorks and allow the organization to serve more individuals through small business technical assistance, coaching and low interest recovery loans.

Mike Brenan, South Carolina regional president at Truist, said, “We’re proud to partner with CommunityWorks to support small businesses across our state during this challenging time. Small businesses are vital to our economy, and helping them thrive throughout the pandemic and beyond is one way we’re fulfilling the Truist purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities.”