Cary, NC -- United Way of North Carolina (UWNC) hosted its highly anticipated Annual Conference at The Inn at Elon from February 25-27, 2025. This premier event brought together 80 attendees representing 22 local United Ways, 3 United Way State Associations (NC, KY, and VA), and United Way Worldwide. Over the course of three days, participants engaged in meaningful discussions, shared best practices, and explored new ways to drive community impact.
The conference served as a hub for collaboration, offering numerous opportunities for networking and professional growth. Attendees connected with fellow United Way leaders, UWNC Board Members, and peers. These interactions facilitated meaningful conversations that sparked innovative ideas and strengthened partnerships among organizations.
Participants gained valuable insights through a variety of learning sessions focused on key topics such as:
- Resource Diversification: Strategies to secure and sustain diverse funding sources.
- Legal Compliance: Ensuring organizations adhere to essential nonprofit regulations.
- Fundraising and Campaign Revitalization: Innovative approaches to reinvigorate fundraising efforts and donor engagement.
- Nonprofit Revenue Diversification: Exploring new funding streams to enhance financial sustainability.
- Defining Impact: Measuring and communicating the effectiveness of United Way initiatives.
- Thriving United Way Framework: Leveraging planning tools to create a strategic plan.
These sessions equipped attendees with tools and resources to enhance their organizations' community impact and fundraising efforts. Participants left the event inspired and ready to implement new strategies to drive success in their local United Ways.
The conference also featured an insightful panel discussion about NC 211 utilization in North Carolina with a mix of local United Way leaders and NC 211 staff. This discussion highlighted the program’s transformative impact in addressing community needs and providing essential services to North Carolinians.
During dinner, new CEOs and Executive Directors were welcomed with a North Carolina themed gift and one retiring CEO was honored for their 20+ years of service in their United Way role. The crowd then took turns recounting the extraordinary contributions to Hurricane Helene Relief efforts United Ways have worked round the clock on since the Hurricane hit in Fall of last year. Their dedication exemplifies the core values of United Way and the power of collective action in times of crisis.
A highlight of the event was the Best Practice Showcase, where Best Practices award winners shared their successful fundraising strategies and groundbreaking community partnerships with their communities' local United Ways. These presentations provided attendees with actionable ideas and inspiration to implement in their own organizations. The winners were Burke County Schools, Computerway Food Systems, the City of High Point, and Triumph Group.
Following the Best Practice Showcase and awards, the Anita Barker Make It Matter Award was announced. The well-deserving winner was Celesa T. Willett, Executive Director of United Way of Haywood County. The award was introduced in 2023 in honor of Anita Barker, who retired from her position as Director of Education and Engagement after 14 years of service with the United Way of North Carolina. This award was created to honor Anita’s legacy of service to the United Way network, as she went above and beyond on a daily basis to “matter” to every individual she connected with in her work and her commitment to helping every community in North Carolina thrive and grow. Named after a meaningful quote by June Carter Cash—“I’m just trying to matter”—this award recognizes individuals who embody this same spirit of selfless service.
From left to right: Anita Barker, Celesa T. Willett, Chad McMahon, and Brittany Pruitt Fletcher
Willett’s exceptional leadership at United Way of Haywood County has profoundly impacted her community. She has consistently demonstrated an unwavering dedication to service, a willingness to help without being asked or expecting anything in return, and a commitment to leading with integrity, a sense of humor, and a spirit of kindness and caring. Her tireless work has not only elevated those around her but has also created lasting change within the community.
To conclude the event, UWNC made their public launch of ALICE®, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — a large population of hardworking residents who work at low-paying jobs, have little or no savings and are one emergency away from falling into poverty. A brand new ALICE report was formulated and is now available here. Lauren Whaley, CUDE President of Carolinas Credit Union Foundation (a funder of the NC ALICE Report), came to speak on the launch, as well as Burke County United Way's Executive Director, Maureen "Mo" Schwind, about serving ALICE families through BCUW's helpful and impactful programs.
From left to right: Lauren Whaley and Maureen "Mo" Schwind
The 2025 United Way of North Carolina Annual Conference was a resounding success - fostering collaboration, learning, and innovation. As attendees return to their communities, the connections made and knowledge gained will continue to strengthen the United Way network and amplify its mission of improving lives across North Carolina.
To view pictures of the conference, visit United Way of North Carolina's Facebook page.
About United Way of North Carolina
United Way mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. For almost 50 years, United Way of North Carolina (UWNC) has been a statewide organization, partnering with 47 local United Ways to co-create solutions to people’s most pressing challenges. We take a comprehensive approach, listening and responding to statewide needs, including but not limited to, strengthening local resilience and advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security in our state. UWNC bridges and mobilizes people, local United Ways, and resources so individuals, families, and communities thrive in North Carolina. We are committed to four core areas of work: Member Services, NC 211, Disaster Response, and Advocacy.