TalentRiseSC Receives $888,500 Investment to Expand Career and Education Navigation Across the Upstate
Greenville, S.C.– August 24, 2026 – TalentRiseSC, a Greenville Chamber Foundation initiative focused on increasing access to career and education planning for adult learners, is expanding its work in the Upstate with a $888,500 two-year investment from the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation (SCSLC).
The funding, distributed by SCSLC’s philanthropy arm, Power:Ed, supports TalentRiseSC in its efforts to ensure that 60% of Greenville County adults aged 25-64 have high-quality, post-secondary certificate, credential, or degree tied to meaningful employment and economic mobility. This foundational funding helps expand TalentRiseSC’s resources in South Carolina’s Upstate.
Launched by The Greenville Chamber Foundation in 2023, TalentRiseSC serves adults in navigating barriers to education and career transitions by helping them understand their post-secondary options and develop a plan to obtain a certification, credential, or degree.
The organization provides neutral navigation to educational opportunities, offers free, personalized career and education pathway plans, provides hands-on assistance with school enrollment and the financial aid process, and helps individuals identify clear pathways to increase their salary potential and achieve their career goals.
“TalentRiseSC is about making sure more people across the Upstate have access to the support they need to take the next step in their career,” said Dr. Cheryl Garrison, Executive Director of the Greenville Chamber Foundation. “We thank the teams at SC Student Loan Corporation and Power:Ed for supporting this work. Their generous investment will provide more individuals the opportunity to build a stronger future for themselves, their families and our region.”
The $888,500 investment will help TalentRiseSC expand its reach throughout the Upstate and ensure more individuals, employers and community organizations understand the resources available to them. The investment will also support improvements to the systems and infrastructure that enable TalentRiseSC to provide personalized support at scale, as well as additional talent to help individuals navigate education, training, enrollment, and financial aid.
“SC Student Loan is proud to support TalentRiseSC. Boosting educational attainment for workers is critical to boosting their economic mobility and expanding their career opportunities,” said SCSLC President and CEO Trey Simon. “The quality, personalized coaching TalentRiseSC offers is essential to help more adults achieve the skills and education necessary to thrive personally and professionally, and our hope is the program will expand to serve communities across our state."
SCSLC’s donation was recognized during Greenville Chamber Night at the Greenville Drive on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The evening included a ceremonial big check presentation commemorating the two-year investment.
TalentRiseSC is currently available at no cost to eligible participants. Individuals can learn more or schedule a consultation by visiting www.TalentRiseSC.org or calling 864-239-3704.
ABOUT TALENTRISESC
The vision of TalentRiseSC is that every adult has the support and skills needed to succeed in education, advance in their career, and achieve economic prosperity. TalentRiseSC delivers individualized career guidance, connecting adults to the right degree, training, and certification programs.
ABOUT THE GREENVILLE CHAMBER
The Greenville Chamber is a 137-year-old, 1,400-member business and economic development organization that connects people, advocates for businesses, and accelerates business and regional economic growth. The Chamber’s vision is a globally competitive Upstate economy where businesses succeed and people prosper.
ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA STUDENT LOAN CORPORATION
Since 1973, South Carolina Student Loan® has helped make education more accessible to South Carolina residents and students attending schools in the state by offering financial support to help cover the cost of tuition, books, housing, meals, and other educational expenses. As a nonprofit, South Carolina Student Loan® is invested in the outcomes of its borrowers and the workforce in South Carolina, which is evident in innovative programs like BOLD™ Career Pathways that connect students with statewide employers who help cover education costs and provide those students with jobs. Learn more at scstudentloan.org.
ABOUT POWER:ED
Founded in 2019, Power:Ed, the philanthropy of SC Student Loan is dedicated to creating opportunities for South Carolina’s youth and adults by supporting low-income, underserved, and first-generation students; improving access to college and degree completion; and creating pathways to quality workforce opportunities. Nonprofit organizations serving middle school through post-college talent interested in applying for a grant or partnering with Power:Ed, should visit power-ed.org.