Empowering Nonprofit Excellence Through Training
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.
2025 LEARN United Training Opportunities
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.
CEOs, CFOs, Operations, Board Members and Finance Team Members are encouraged to attend this session.
Examples of topics covered:
- Basics of finance and accounting
- Budgeting strategies for nonprofits
- Advanced accounting techniques
2025 Training Schedule
Finance 101: April 25th
from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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.
CFOs, Executive Directors, Board Members, Relationship Managers and Resource Development Staff are encouraged to attend this session.
Examples of topics covered:
- Crafting and managing endowments
- Planning successful capital campaigns
- Building and retaining a loyal donor base
2025 Training Schedule
Fundraising and Endowment Strategies: July 8th
Capital Campaigns: August 28th
Building Your Donor Base: October 22nd
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.
Executive Directors, Program Directors, Relationship Managers and Volunteer Coordinators are encouraged to attend this session.
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.
CEOs, CFOs, Executive Directors, Board Members and Program Directors are encouraged to attend this session.
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 28th
Improving Retention and Engagement: November 20th
Cultivating an Exceptional Workplace Culture: December 11th
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 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
Registration Information
United Way partner agencies receive priority registration for LEARN United.
For questions, more information or to join the UWCA partner agency email list, please contact UWCA Vice President of Agency Relations Shakeitha Tatum at [email protected].
Workshops and Seminars
Board & Executive Director Leadership Retreat
February 25th
Agency Marketing Training
March 7th
Health & Wellness Expo
August 27th
Emerging Leaders Social
April 29th
Public Speaking Training
June 27th
Poverty Simulation Workshop
December 15th
Media Training
July 14th
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
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Helping Nonprofits Sharpen Fiscal Efficiency and Transparency
United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) recently launched the first session of a three-part financial management training series under its LEARN United program. This is a popular initiative designed to
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Helping Nonprofit Leaders Harness the Knowledge and Experience of Their Board Members
Leading a nonprofit is highly rewarding but also quite challenging, said Jequette Edmonson Noland, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society of Birmingham. Since her job requires her to be
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Leadership Training Designed to Cross the Boundary from Good to Great
United Way of Central Alabama is investing in the next generation of nonprofit leaders with a transformative training program focused on personal growth, strategic thinking, and real-world impact. See how participants are moving from good to great—one breakthrough at a time.