Step Up received a $140,000 grant in 2007,  and $115,000 in 2008 from the Ford Foundation to work with local employers to increase the number of low-wage employees who enroll in publicly funded work supports in order to boost spending power.  The grant, awarded by Families and Work Institute, is part of a national Supporting Work Project awarded to 10 cities nationally, which is administered by The Families and Work Institute.  

Savannah’s program leverages business relationships in healthcare, hospitality, warehousing, and city and county governments to deliver work supports such as food stamps, PeachCare Children’s Health Insurance, and Earned Income Tax Credits at employer sites.  The work also addresses low wage employees’ needs around transportation incentives, dependent care, financial products and education, and energy and food assistance.   The project will be completed in by early fall 2009.