LEARN United
The LEARN United Program of United Way of Central Alabama provides practical, affordable training for nonprofit professionals, board members and community leaders to equip nonprofit professionals with the tools and knowledge to maximize their impact.
Building Stronger Nonprofits. Creating Stronger Communities.
Empowering Nonprofit Excellence Through Training
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.
2026 LEARN United Training Opportunities
Registration Information
United Way partner agencies receive priority registration for LEARN United.
To register for training or to join the UWCA partner agency email list,
please contact Waneka Johnson, Director, Agency Relations at [email protected].
Program Tracks & Specialized Cohorts
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 subject areas, enabling organizations to target the skills they need most.
Grant Writing
Delivered by Purpose Possible, this track guides nonprofits
in crafting compelling grant proposals and managing funding relationships.
Session 1: Proposal Development
March 12, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Session 2: Funder Research
April 9, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Session 3: Organizational Health
July 30, 2026, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Financial Management
Partnering with Regions Bank through UWCA’s Financial Stability Services,
these trainings focus on core financial skills tailored to nonprofits.
Session 1: Understanding Nonprofit Financial Statements
April 7, 2026, 10 a.m. to noon
Session 2: Risk Management
May 26, 2026, 10 a.m. to noon
Session 3: Budget Development
June 23, 2026, 10 a.m. to noon
Connected for Impact
Featuring a variety of guest speakers, this track is designed
to equip agencies with insights and strategies to build trust,
respond to change and maximize mission-driven partnerships.
Session 1: Power of Partnerships
August 18, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Session 2: Responding to Change
TBD
Session 3: How to Build Trust
TBD
Communication
Led by People Optimum Consulting, this track
helps nonprofits refine their messaging and improve workplace culture.
Session 1: Engaging with Cultural Influencers
July 16, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Session 2: Retention
Aug. 11, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Session 3: Building a Workplace Culture of Excellence
Sept 17, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Session 4: TBD
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. Participation is limited to pre-registered individuals.
Intentionally Centered ℠ Management Cohort
This in-depth series, led by Kathy Boswell, CEO of B-Intentional, includes weekly or bi-weekly sessions for professionals committed to advancing their skills.
Examples of topics covered:
- Mastering relationship skills
- Coaching and developing staff
- Strengthscope leadership model
2026 Training Schedule
Cohort Kickoff Meet & Greet: March 19, 2026, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Session 1: April 2, 2026, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Session 2: April 23, 2026, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Session 3: May 7, 2026, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Session 4: May 28, 2026, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Session 5: June 25, 2026, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Session 6: July 23, 2026, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Session 7: August 6th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Graduation: August 25, 2026, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Accidental Fundraiser: Online Fundraising Cohort
Successful fund development (fundraising) is deeply connected to every aspect of your organization’s health. This cohort takes a relationship-centered, data-driven approach to fundraising that leverages the full strength of your organization.
2026 Training Schedule:
Cohort Kickoff Meet & Greet: September 2, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Session 1: September 9, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Session 2: September 16, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Session 3: September 23, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Session 4: September 30, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Graduation: October 27th, 2026, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Program Evaluation Cohort
This series, led by Claire Cole includes weekly sessions with topics to include:
- Support development of KPIs/metrics for a single program, as a template that participants can apply to other programs.
- Providing training on introductory program evaluation tools, such as survey writing, data analysis and reporting.
- Provide exposure to funders, as well as other strong examples of data-driven programming through showcase.
2026 Training Schedule
Cohort Kickoff Meet & Greet: September 1, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Session 1: September 8th, 2026, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Session 2: September 16th, 2026, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Session 3: September 23rd, 2026, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Session 4: September 30th, 2026, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Final Session & Graduation: October 7th, 2026, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (required)
Upcoming 2026 LEARN United Workshops and Seminars
Media Training
August 20, 2026
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Health and Wellness Summit
TBD
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
HR Management
Date TBD
Advocacy Training Seminar
October 6, 2026
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Parliamentary Procedure Training
November 5, 2026
TBD
Crisis Communication Seminar
Date TBD
Previous 2026 LEARN United Workshops and Seminars
Poverty Simulation with Alabama Possible
February 27, 2026
1 to 4 p.m.
at the Levite Jewish Community Center
3960 Montclair Rd, Birmingham, AL 35213
Executive Director and Board Training
March 6, 2026
Marketing Training
April 24, 2026
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Speaker Training
May 12, 2026
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Succession Planning
June 4, 2026
Questions?
For questions or more information about LEARN United,
please contact:
Testimonials
“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
“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
Learn United Celebrates Continued Collaboration with Partner Agencies
Partner agencies not only rely on UWCA for funding, but also for unique training opportunities.
LEARN United Gets to the Heart of Fundraising
As part of United Way of Central Alabama’s (UWCA) ongoing LEARN United series, local nonprofit leaders recently gathered for a
Blount County Joins with United Way to Kick Off Campaign and Recognize Community Project Grantees
United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) and its Blount County community partners recently rallied to kick off the 2025 United