LEARN United

Empowering Nonprofit Excellence Through Training

Leadership, Education And Readiness for Nonprofits

The LEARN United Program of United Way of Central Alabama equips nonprofit professionals with the tools and knowledge to maximize their impact.

Standing for Leadership, Education and Readiness for Nonprofits, LEARN United supports agencies through flexible training tracks, in-depth cohort programs and year-round partner events. Whether strengthening financial management, improving fundraising or building team capacity, LEARN United offers the guidance and resources nonprofits need to thrive.

LEARN United Program Tracks

LEARN United program tracks allow participants to choose individual sessions based on their specific interests and availability. These flexible, standalone trainings focus on key areas such as financial management, fundraising, volunteer management, grant writing and communication, enabling organizations to target the skills they need most.

Financial Management

Partnering with Regions Bank through UWCA’s Financial Stability Services, these trainings focus on core financial skills tailored to nonprofits.

Examples of topics covered:

  • Basics of finance and accounting
  • Budgeting strategies for nonprofits
  • Advanced accounting techniques
2025 Training Schedule

Finance 101: April 22nd
Budgets for Nonprofits: May 16th
Nonprofit Accounting: August 14th

Fundraising Excellence

Dive deep into fundraising strategies to help your organization build sustainability and grow donor engagement.

Examples of topics covered:

  • Crafting and managing endowments
  • Planning successful capital campaigns
  • Building and retaining a loyal donor base
2025 Training Schedule

Fundraising: May 23rd
Endowment Strategies: June 3rd
Capital Campaigns: July 8th
Building Your Donor Base: August 28th

Volunteer Management

In partnership with UWCA Resource Development and United Way Hands On, these sessions are designed for nonprofit staff and program leaders responsible for managing volunteers. The training equips agencies with strategies to build and sustain strong volunteer programs.

Examples of topics covered:

  • Effective recruitment and onboarding
  • Volunteer retention and appreciation strategies
  • Managing volunteers in challenging environments
2025 Training Schedule

Recruitment and Onboarding: September 18th
Volunteer Management in a Challenging Environment: October 2nd
Retention and Appreciation: November 13th

Grant Writing

Delivered by Purpose Possible, this track guides nonprofits in crafting compelling grant proposals and managing funding relationships.

Examples of topics covered:

  • Prospecting for grants and understanding funders
  • Writing polished, effective proposals
  • Turning data into impactful reporting
2025 Training Schedule

Essentials of Grant Management/Turning Data into Reporting: March 19th
Connecting the Dots/Stewarding Funder Relationships: April 2nd

Communication

Led by People Optimum Consulting, this track helps nonprofits refine their messaging and improve workplace culture.

Examples of topics covered:

  • Engaging with cultural influencers
  • Retention through effective communication
  • Building a workplace culture of excellence
2025 Training Schedule

Culture Influencers: September 9th
Effective Communication: October 25th
Improving Retention and Engagement: October 28th
Cultivating an Exceptional Workplace Culture: November 20th

Specialized Cohorts

Designed for those seeking comprehensive skills-building, these programs consist of a series of interconnected sessions that build upon one another. Cohorts require a longer-term commitment and foster collaboration among participants.

Intentionally Centered ℠ Management Cohort

This in-depth series, led by Kathy Boswell, CEO of B-Intentional, includes weekly or bi-weekly sessions for HR professionals committed to advancing their skills.

Examples of topics covered:

  • Mastering relationship skills
  • Coaching and developing staff
  • Strengthscope leadership model
2025 Training Schedule

Cohort Kickoff: March 6th
Session 2: March 20th
Session 3: April 1st
Session 4: April 16th
Session 5: April 30th
Session 6: May 14th
Graduation: June 11th

Social Impact CoLab Cohort

This accelerator experience tailored to nonprofit organizations can facilitate access to new sources of funding and promote innovation by helping organizations identify and implement earned-revenue strategies.

Examples of topics covered:

  • Coaching and Benchmarking
  • Design Thinking Workshop
  • MVP Operating Model
2025 Training Schedule:

Cohort Kickoff: April 9th
Session 2: May 7th
Session 3: June 11th
Session 4: July 16th
Session 5: August 20th
Final Showcase: September 24th

Workshops and Seminars

Board & Executive Director Leadership Retreat

February 25th

Agency Marketing Training

March 7th

Health & Wellness Summit

Date TBA

Emerging Leaders Social

April 29th

Public Speaking Training

May 13th

Poverty Simulation Workshop

December 15th


Testimonials

Photo of Sophia Leverson smiling and wearing glasses and a bright pink jacket

“When you stop learning, you stop growing, and I think it’s important for us not to get stagnant. The world is constantly changing, and whether you’ve been doing this for two months or 20 years, there’s always something you can learn.”

Sophia Leverson
Executive Director, Central Alabama Chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association
Photo of Lauren Schwartz. She is smiling and wearing a blue ribbon pinned to her blouse.

“United Way’s workshops offer education, inspiration, and community building among partner agencies. It is a benefit beyond dollars that supports excellence and professional growth for staff, board members, and me.”

Lauren Schwartz
Executive Director, Collat Jewish Family Services

LEARN United News