The 'You Advance America Fund' is meant to demonstrate our commitment to our customers and the millions of other hard-working people whose overlooked efforts help make our cities and towns run.
Ken Compton, CEO Advance America

Advance America Cash Advance Centers, the nation's largest provider of payday loans, awarded a $50,000 Literacy Grant to United Way of Piedmont, South Carolina to support financial literacy efforts in Spartanburg and Union counties.

The Advance America Financial Literacy Grant marks the first donation from the "You Advance America Fund." The fund and the United Way donation were announced at a kickoff event for several hundred Advance America employees Friday morning at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium.

"The 'You Advance America Fund' is meant to demonstrate our commitment to our customers and the millions of other hard-working people whose overlooked efforts help make our cities and towns run," said Advance America CEO Ken Compton. "While our products are designed to help middle-income workers overcome short-term financial challenges, we're equally dedicated to educating people about protecting their long-term financial well-being. That's why we're very excited about this initial grant, which will allow the United Way of the Piedmont to work toward improving financial literacy in Spartanburg and Union counties."

"United Way of the Piedmont is delighted to accept this grant from Advance America," said the organization's president and CEO, Kathy Dunleavy. "We will direct these funds to programs in our community that are focused on financial literacy. One area of our United Way's Community Impact Agenda is 'Strengthening Adults and Families,' and providing access to the support necessary to build stable lives. Our hope is that our citizens will be armed with a sound knowledge of personal financial management."

Advance America operates 2,700 locations in 36 states.