AgFirst’s contributions make a difference across communities in 2024

This year, AgFirst supported a variety of causes, donating more than $700,000 and hundreds of volunteer hours to programs directly impacting lives in the Midlands of South Carolina and beyond. Our commitment to investing in our communities reflects our dedication to being a good corporate citizen and uplifting the region we are proud to call home. Among our 2024 efforts: 

Supporting Community Needs 

AgFirst partnered with local organizations to improve the quality of life in the Midlands – tackling issues from homelessness to hunger. The bank contributed to Transitions Homeless Center to support unhoused individuals, conducted a sock drive to provide a critical item to the center’s clients and organized volunteer groups to regularly serve lunch at the center. The bank also supported efforts to ensure more people have access to healthy, nutritious foods through donations and volunteer opportunities at Harvest Hope Food Bank and FoodShare South Carolina – including 5,000 pounds of food contributed through our food drive. 

Championing Diversity and Education 

AgFirst works to create diverse opportunities and make meaningful investments in education, empowering more individuals and communities to thrive. Donations toward scholarships, laptops and career development opportunities were provided to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including Benedict College, Claflin University, North Carolina A&T, and South Carolina State University. The bank also contributed to scholarship and travel opportunities for students at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture, the nation’s only public residential high school focused on agricultural education, forestry and natural resources. 

Two new partnerships this year were with Able SC and Piedmont Technical College. AgFirst donated to Able SC’s Grow the Future Program, which will educate disabled youth about careers in agriculture starting next year. Additionally, the bank supported Piedmont Technical College’s Diversified Ag and Horticulture Tech Program, funding student travel scholarships for agriculture industry events. 

Hurricane Relief Efforts 

When Hurricane Helene uprooted lives in the Southeast, AgFirst partnered with CoBank, Farmer Mac and the Texas Farm Credit District to provide disaster relief to the American Red Cross. This contribution supported the organization’s relief efforts providing food, shelter, medical and other supplies to hurricane victims. 

Employee-Driven Giving 

AgFirst is proud to support organizations that our employees are invested in and passionate about. Through employee requests, the bank nearly doubled its contributions to nonprofits this year, including Community Options, Serve and Connect, Pathways to Healing, YMCA of Columbia and the American Heart Association. In addition, through a program that encourages employee donations in exchange for wearing jeans to work once a week, employees donated more than $12,000 to organizations such as the March of Dimes, Salvation Army, Senior Resources and the Boys & Girls Club. 

Collaborative Campaigns 

Our annual United Way workplace campaign highlighted the power of a shared purpose, with employees raising $90,000, further strengthened by a $50,000 donation from AgFirst. These funds support the important role United Way of the Midlands plays in our community, delivering vital services and strengthening programs that create generational change. 

At AgFirst, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life in the communities we serve, year-round. Learn more about our community impact and partnerships at agfirst.com/community.