Promise and Potential: How Small Town EDOs Can Drive Workforce Growth and Quality of Life Through Innovative Programs Like the Greenwood Promise

Imagine a small community where every high school graduate is guaranteed the opportunity to attend college or technical school tuition-free. Now, think about how that promise can create new student opportunities while enhancing the entire local economy. This scenario isn't a hypothetical. It's happening right now in Greenwood County, South Carolina.

The Greenwood Promise is a bold, place-based last dollar scholarship program changing the trajectory of an entire community. And it's a powerful example of how small-town economic development organizations (EDOs) can help reshape that future. The program directly influences workforce development, population stability, and overall quality of life by guaranteeing post-secondary tuition support for local graduates.

This initiative demonstrates what's possible when EDOs champion strategic investments in people, not just infrastructure. At Convergent Nonprofit Solutions, we believe the Promise model represents a blueprint for comprehensive community success. We've helped communities nationwide bring ambitious ideas like this to life through targeted fundraising strategies that align donor investment with measurable impact.

Small Towns, Big Opportunities

Too often, rural and small-town EDOs are encouraged to compete with urban centers by offering aggressive incentives and tax breaks while focusing solely on developing shovel-ready sites. But in today's competitive landscape, employers are looking for a steady supply of workers. Businesses need a stable, skilled workforce in a location with a high quality of life that will keep employees rooted long-term.

Programs like the Greenwood Promise deliver precisely that. By investing in education access, communities like Greenwood are:

• Developing talent pipelines that match the needs of local industries
• Retaining local graduates who might otherwise leave for other opportunities
• Attracting new families seeking affordable, opportunity-rich places to live
• Improving quality of life metrics that businesses consider when relocating or expanding

In fact, just three years after launching, Greenwood saw a 10% jump in post-secondary enrollment, bucking the state's declining trend. This improvement is a positive signal to employers that Greenwood is serious about its future workforce.

A Community-Wide Investment

The Greenwood Promise is a public-private collaboration backed by 205 donors and growing, ranging from corporations to individuals. This kind of collective investment is only possible with a clear vision and a compelling case for support, which is precisely the kind of work Convergent is built to deliver, having managed two campaigns for the Greenwood Promise raising over $9M combined.

Our team specializes in helping economic development and other community leaders fund initiatives that matter. We help you secure investment from stakeholders who believe in your community's future and want to make a meaningful impact.

Convergent's Role in Building What's Next

Innovative programs like the Greenwood Promise aren't reserved for just one county. They can and should be replicated across the country in communities that are ready to take bold action.

At Convergent, we've worked with EDOs of all sizes to secure the funding they need to implement game-changing projects like the Greenwood Promise. Our process goes beyond traditional fundraising. We focus on return on investment, ensuring your initiative speaks the language of business, impact, and long-term value.

Whether you're exploring a place-based scholarship program, a new workforce initiative, or another forward-looking solution, Convergent helps you:

• Craft a compelling value proposition
• Engage a broad base of supporters
• Build a scalable fundraising strategy
• Achieve measurable community outcomes

A Proven Path to Success and Engagement

The Greenwood Promise proves what's possible when a community aligns its economic and educational goals. It shows how small towns can lead in workforce innovation, attract top-tier employers, and offer families a reason to stay and thrive.

Small-town EDOs don't need to mimic big cities to be competitive. They must leverage their unique strengths and invest in programs that deliver lasting returns. The next Greenwood Promise could happen in your town with the right partner and approach.

Ready to fund your community's future? Let's start the conversation. Convergent is here to help you turn vision into reality.