United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) recently held the first session of its Fundraising Excellence track, part of the LEARN United program. The session brought together experienced fundraisers for a practical discussion on two key topics: building endowments and securing long-term donor support.
Panelists included John Stone from Children’s Aid Society of Alabama and Meg Ford and Liz Edwards from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. Together, they debunked the myth that endowments are only for large institutions. Instead, they emphasized how even a smaller nonprofit can begin laying the groundwork for an endowment that supports its mission for years to come.
The key takeaway? Start where you are. Panelists encouraged organizations to explore starting a modest endowment fund, even if initial contributions are small. By educating donors about legacy giving options, nonprofits can offer donors meaningful ways to invest in the future of a cause they care about. Endowments, they explained, are about planting seeds. With ongoing stewardship and clear communication, those seeds can grow into a dependable, long-term funding source.
One attendee Senta Goldman, Grants Manager at Vineyard Family Services of Central Alabama, left the session with practical advice.
“This first session was intuitive and solidified some things for me,” she said. “A ‘no’ means not right now. Invite the funder for coffee to inquire what you can do to improve; then begin to build a relationship.”
Strengthening Skills through LEARN United
LEARN United training focuses on several subjects, including the Fundraising Excellence track. These sessions offer practical, actionable and immediately useful strategies. Whether an organization is working on endowment planning, donor engagement, grant writing or volunteer management, LEARN United provides the tools to succeed.
The 2025 training schedule includes additional fundraising sessions devoted to Capital Campaigns on August 28th and Building Your Donor Base on October 22nd. These sessions, along with other topic-specific trainings, give nonprofit staff the tools to grow their funding, deepen donor relationships and build financial resilience.