World Finance, a Greenville-based financial services company, is demonstrating that corporate success and community impact can go hand-in-hand.
Founded in 1962 and made a publicly-traded company in 1991, World Finance has grown to more than 1,000 branches across 16 states while maintaining a strong local presence, including roughly 250 employees in the Greenville area.
Along the way, it has built a culture that prioritizes service, not just to customers but to the larger community.
It’s a commitment reflected in the company’s many workplace honors, including six consecutive years as a USA Today Top Workplace (2021–26), as well as recent distinctions from Time and Newsweek.
But that’s only part of the story. The company’s true impact is measured in how it invests time, money and people into meaningful community partnerships.
At the core of World Finance’s others-oriented philosophy is a savvy, multi-layered giving strategy. The company provides direct corporate donations while also empowering its leadership team to give personally.
Each officer receives annual funds to donate to a nonprofit of their choice, extending the company’s reach into a wide network of 501(c)(3) organizations. It’s how they ensure giving is both strategic and personal and aligns corporate resources with causes leaders genuinely care about.
Of particular interest is the company’s long-time partnership with Communities in Schools of South Carolina and Alexander Elementary in Greenville, South Carolina.
Through it, almost 20 World Finance employees volunteer more than 500 hours of their time each school year as lunch buddies to students, while also providing holiday fundraisers for car seats, blankets and monetary assistance. The company also provides volunteer support for the school’s field day and family night, along with sponsoring and chaperoning a trip to Children’s Museum of the Upstate in 2025.
“At World Finance, our mission is to strengthen the communities we serve by helping customers meet their financial needs—especially when others have said no,” says Lindsay Caulder, senior vice president of human resources. “While we can’t always say yes, we believe our friends and neighbors deserve dignity and a relationship, not just a transaction.”
Equally important is hands-on involvement. Employees are encouraged to go beyond writing checks by actively volunteering their time and skills. Every team member receives eight hours of paid volunteer time annually, reinforcing a culture where service is expected, supported and celebrated.
World Finance has also partnered with Rebuild Upstate, a nonprofit focused on repairing homes for low-income families. In 2025, employees contributed more than 200 volunteer hours through sponsored build days involving multiple departments and interns. These efforts directly improve living conditions for vulnerable residents while giving employees a tangible way to serve.
Beyond these flagship initiatives, the company supports a range of local organizations, including Fostering Great Ideas, Meals on Wheels Greenville, Junior Achievement, Girl Up Greenville and the Meyer Center. Employees also participate in fundraising events and volunteer activities, further strengthening ties across the community.
Company leaders emphasize that these efforts are not separate from the company’s mission – they are an extension of it.
“At the end of the day, we’re proud to serve our communities by showing up, building relationships, and making a meaningful difference,” Caulder says.
