Greater Good Greenville: Katy Smith
Greater Good Greenville focuses on uniting nonprofit organizations to support collective action by providing resources and connections. Created by merging The Nonprofit Alliance and Greenville Partnership for Philanthropy, Greater Good now envisions our county being one “grounded in equity and opportunity, where all people can thrive.”
Specifically, Greater Good Greenville provides resources that help residents learn about, connect with, and donate to local nonprofits, such as Project Host. The organization hosts and promotes upcoming events and trainings, conducts grant research, and connects nonprofits with local funders. Through its “Simple Civics” podcast, Greater Good Greenville also works to inform the public on local government elections and civic issues.
How were you introduced to the nonprofit sector?
I always enjoyed volunteering to serve older adults when I was a teenager and college student, from visiting residents in skilled nursing facilities in my home town and in college to helping at my community hospital. I hadn’t considered nonprofit work until I was in college at Wake Forest and a mentor suggested I pursue a Masters in Social Work. It was a life-changing recommendation, because I’ve put my degree to use in every role since!
When did you know that you were passionate about nonprofit work?
I believe that nonprofits are how neighbors come together to solve problems. I loved my MSW program, and I was lucky to get right to work after graduation in my first job at the United Way of Greenville County as a community planning associate. Early on in that role, I helped start what is now the Center for Community Services. We had local business leaders and city council members in the Golden Strip raise money to renovate the old Bryson Elementary, we had church members working side by side with men from Perry Correctional Facility to strip conduit and paint the walls, and we had nonprofits and government agencies co-locate to provide services there. That’s when my real passion for the power of nonprofits was ignited and it’s remained over my 30+ year career!
Out of all the resources that Greater Good provides, which do you think is most beneficial to nonprofits in the area? What about residents?
I think what’s consistent among our offerings - from our trainings to collaborative projects to social events - is community. We bring nonprofit leaders together, and those connections between them is where the magic happens. For residents, I’m proud of our Simple Civics: Greenville County podcast that makes government accessible (and we had Tobin Simpson on for an episode on “Serving Up Hope”!)
How have you seen firsthand how nonprofits working together strengthen outcomes?
Witnessing collaboration between nonprofits (and philanthropic funders) is one of the best parts of my job. Project Host’s Holiday Market to which they invited eight nonprofit partners and friends to sell unique holiday gifts to fuel their missions is a perfect example!
What stood out to you about Project Host’s mission?
It’s a brilliant circle - using food as a tool to nourish the hungry and train the unemployed! The notion of a “soup kitchen” makes us think of meeting the most fundamental of human needs but also dealing with poverty at one of the farthest points downstream. But at Project Host, it’s a welcome to connections to other service providers and to career opportunities for a different future.
What is one piece of advice you would give to developing nonprofits?
In all honesty, it’s easy to start a nonprofit; it’s some fairly simple paperwork with the SC Secretary of State and the IRS. But sustaining and growing a nonprofit is truly hard work, and many don’t succeed at it. For someone with a mission idea, my advice would be to first see how you can support and partner those nonprofits already doing something similar to what you’re interested in.
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