How United Way NEXT Is Turning 35 Years of Connection Into Community Impact
As a community of United Way professionals, fall brings more than changing leaves and cooler temps. It reminds us of early morning campaign rallies at construction sites, volunteers dropping off campaign packets at all hours, last-minute trips to the printer for pledge cards, tabling agency fairs, and coordinating nonprofit tours. All in an effort to meet our campaign goals before the end of the year.
And although our United Way NEXT team has since given up workplace campaigns and check presentations, we’re still committed to reaching a campaign goal of our own. With two new staff members on board, we’ve set a meaningful goal to raise $35,000 in honor of our 35th Anniversary.
So as fall creeps in and you’re reminded of the United Way spirit that connects us all, we hope you’ll consider supporting our 35th Anniversary Campaign this Giving Tuesday. A day dedicated to radical generosity, something that United Way professionals, alumni, and retirees know all too well.
The Heart Behind Our Campaign
Radical Generosity has many definitions, but there’s one from Giving Tuesday that stood out to us: “The concept that the suffering of others should be as intolerable to us as our own suffering.”
And for many of our UW NEXT members, that belief extends beyond giving. It’s about creating spaces of belonging and connection. Because for every individual that didn’t feel welcomed or included in their local United Way, they found that here. And they’ve worked to create that same experience for others, knowing firsthand what it feels like to step into a global network of mission-driven professionals and not yet feel at home.
That’s why this year we’re honoring 35 years of connecting, engaging, and inspiring United Way professionals through our 35th Anniversary Tribute Campaign. A campaign built on belonging, generosity, and gratitude.
UW NEXT 35th Anniversary Tribute Gifts (October 2025).
The Impact of Your Support
With an annual budget of $275,000, it truly is the generosity of our community that we’re able to continue supporting United Way professionals at every stage of their journey.
This year alone, your support has helped us:
Strengthen our programs and member experience with 2 new team members.
Match 43 mentors with UW NEXT members through our Mentorship Program.
Host 33 events with more than 1700 total registrants.
Launch the Consultant Collaborative with 38 founding members.
Raise $17,500 for our 35th Anniversary!
And the year’s not over yet! We still have more than five exciting events ahead and plenty of momentum to carry us into 2026, but we need your help to get there.
35th Anniversary fundraising thermometer as of 10/21/25.
How to Participate This Giving Tuesday
Similar to each dollar in your local United Way’s campaign, every single dollar makes a difference at United Way NEXT.
To put it into perspective, we have five months left of our campaign, but we could easily reach our $35,000 goal by the end of the year if:
Each of our members gave an additional $35 this season.
50 members made a $350 tribute gift like Barbara Edmond & these incredible UW leaders.
175 members sponsored a membership at the Leadership Giving Level ($100+) like Paul DeBassio.
“Giving Tuesday is more than a single day of generosity. It’s a reflection of who we are as a community,” said Carole Peters, President & CEO of United Way NEXT. “This year, as we celebrate 35 years of connection, we’re reminded that when each of us gives a little, we can achieve something truly remarkable together.”
Continuing the Legacy
As we close out this milestone year, we want to thank our members, Board of Directors, and donors for your continued generosity and belief in our mission. It’s thanks to the support of members like you that we can keep this community thriving and drive what’s next for United Way NEXT!
Together, we can make this Giving Tuesday one to remember by:
Making a $35 gift to celebrate our 35th Anniversary.
Honoring someone special through a tribute gift.
Sponsoring a membership for a colleague or future leader.
Joining the 35th Anniversary Social Media Challenge and encouraging others to participate.
Challenging 35 peers to join UW NEXT or renew their membership.
Offering a matching gift to double the impact.
Whatever you choose, we hope you know how much it means to us! Whether you make a personal gift, honor someone who’s inspired you, or help others find their place in this community, every act of generosity helps move us closer to our goal and strengthens what makes United Way NEXT so special!
For more information on our 35th Anniversary, please visit the official page on our website.