Upstate Warrior Catalytic Fund

Upstate Warrior Solution is a community-based nonprofit organization serving warriors and their families in the Upstate of South Carolina. The organization’s mission is to CONNECT warriors and their family members to resources and opportunities, LEAD them through the process of self-empowerment, and INSPIRE the community to embrace local warriors and their family members as valued neighbors and friends. Supportive services are offered for Reservists, National Guard, and active duty, regardless of military branch, nature of discharge, or current life situation.

As part of its suite of services, Upstate Warrior Solution (UWS) provides employment assistance which increasingly includes support for veterans looking to start and grow their own companies.  Understanding how to finance their businesses and gain access to capital is often a challenge for these entrepreneurs. Traditional angel investments, bank loans and private equity are often not the right fit.

Responding to this need, an Upstate Warrior Catalytic Fund (UWCF) has been created for making flexible loans and grants to veteran-led businesses, as well as providing connections and mentoring throughout the process.  Funded by charitable donors, the UWCF will be advised by UWS and an appointed screening committee of community leaders. 

How it Works

  1. Open a donor-advised fund at Abundance (if new to us!) called an Angel Fund.

  2. Donate to your Angel Fund to cover your desired investment amount and ongoing admin fees as applicable (see Terms & Conditions). Donations may be in the form of new, tax-deductible charitable gifts or grants from other donor-advised funds or foundations.

  3. Recommend that your Angel Fund be used to invest in the pooled UWCF for investing in all qualifying companies. Note, your Angel Fund will not incur fees after transfer is made to the pooled UWCF.

  4. As the UWCF advisor, Upstate Warrior Solution (with guidance from its appointed screening committee) will direct loans, investments, and grants that meet Abundance impact-focused compliance. 

  5. Abundance executes and monitors placement, aggregates and distributes the funds, carries UWCF investments on its books, and manages all compliance in partnership with Upstate Warrior Solution.

  6. Any returns to the pooled UWCF are shared out proportionately with individual Angel Funds, available for further venture philanthropy or grantmaking. Angels also have the option of keeping their “share” in the UWCF.

Questions? Contact Margaret Gifford at margaret@abundancecap.org