The True Impact of Your United Way NEXT Membership Renewal
Written by Carole Peters, United Way NEXT President & CEO
As 2025 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the incredible year we have shared as a community. With every connection, referral, mentoring match, coaching session, event, and interaction, we are so happy to be in service to you.
These last few weeks, our UW NEXT team and Relationship Managers have been wrapping up the outreach efforts for membership renewals so we can end the year strong. We recognize that none of what we do can be done alone and we are counting on the members who volunteer, give their time, and invest financially through their annual membership payments and additional contributions.
Whether you support at the $35 level or the $3,000 level, your investment impacts so many individuals and local United Ways! And your membership ensures that we can continue offering the programs and support that so many current UW professionals, alumni, and retirees rely on.
The Value of Every Membership
To our members who have already made their membership renewal payments and those who supported us at the Leadership Giving Level ($100+), thank you. Our membership is more than a transaction, it’s an investment in our community.
This year alone, members like you helped us:
Place mentors for our members and local United Way staff
Provide planned giving or Interim Executive Leadership support
Host professional development sessions with 4+ star member ratings
Connect one on one with members who may need a listening ear
Thanks to you, these efforts have touched thousands of lives across the network. And we couldn’t do it without you. Your support fuels everything we do and we are grateful for every generous contribution.
“Based on my experience with United Way NEXT, I actually increased my membership level of giving this year because I see the value it provides.”
The Cost of Lapsed Memberships
To our members who have set up a recurring membership subscription to ease renewing your contribution each year, thank you. Your timely renewals allow us to dedicate more hours to serving our members, offering high quality programs, and maintaining meaningful connections across the network.
As a small nonprofit, we pride ourselves on being thoughtful stewards of every dollar you entrust to us. That’s why it’s imperative to know that for each lapsed membership, there is a very real and direct impact on our small but mighty team. Not only does each require an average of 8 personal outreach attempts from our Membership and Engagement Coordinator, Kerstin Rust, or myself, but with 109 outstanding membership renewals, we’ll have a $9,000 gap in next year’s budget.
And as former UW professionals, we understand there’s a natural ebb and flow when it comes to annual contributions. But with the simple act of putting a reminder on your calendar or setting up automatic payments, you can have a lasting impact on our community!
For Those Ready to Take Action
To our members who are ready to make your renewal payment, thank you. Your support ensures that UW NEXT continues to be a place where colleagues uplift one another, share their expertise, and stay connected to the mission that shaped so much of our lives. You can complete your Individual or Local United Way membership renewal with a one-time payment or an annual subscription.
To our members who aren’t sure if you have already made your renewal payment and would like to, thank you. If you reach out to Kerstin at kerstin.rust@uww.unitedway.org, she’d be happy to check for you!
To our members who want to increase their gift or make an additional contribution to UW NEXT, thank you. Whether you make a general donation or a 35th Anniversary tribute, we’ll be sure to feature you on the appropriate member recognition page(s).
As many of you know, I am proud to be a UW NEXT member, a Leadership Giving Circle member, and your CEO. I support because I believe deeply in this community and the legacy we’re building together.
“We have found United Way NEXT to be a huge value for the investment. Our team gets so much out of the mentorship opportunities and learning events. It’s such a gift to have a supportive team of people that truly understand the challenges local United Ways are facing. Not only do they offer helpful information, advice, and strategies, they’re also constantly cheering us on. When times get heavy, that feels pretty darn good! ”
For Those Unsure About Renewing
To our members who are uncertain about continuing their support of UW NEXT, we want you to stay involved. Whether you’re navigating a life transition, you’re experiencing financial hardship, or you’re feeling a bit disconnected from the network, we want to hear from you.
UW NEXT is a community dedicated to belonging and we want you to feel welcomed here. From retirees to alumni and current staff, each of you is a valuable part of our community.
If you have an experience you would like to share with us, we would love to hear from you. We value positive and constructive feedback so we can continue bringing what our members want and need in this part of your UW journey. You can email me directly at carole.peters@uww.unitedway.org.
To Every member of Our Community
On behalf of our United Way NEXT community, the very dedicated board of directors, highly invested staff, and treasured members, thank you for your continued support.
We look forward to serving you in 2026 💙
With Appreciation!
Carole Peters, UW NEXT CEO