United Way NEXT 2027 Event Speaker RFP Now Open: Share Your Expertise With the Network
When the United Way Retirees Association first launched in 1990, its mission was simple: to enrich the lives of retired United Way professionals by helping them stay connected while contributing their skills to strengthen the network.
More than 35 years later, that spirit of connection continues through United Way NEXT webinars, workshops, panels, roundtables, and conversations led by members who generously share their time and expertise.
Together, our speakers have helped thousands of nonprofit leaders discover new ideas, strengthen their organizations, and build meaningful connections.
As we begin planning another exciting year of programming, we're thrilled to announce that the 2027 Guest Speaker Application is officially open!
Building on a Strong Foundation
Thanks to the thoughtful feedback and support of our members, presenters, and volunteers, our Request for Proposals (RFP) has become an integral part of our event planning process.
This year, we reviewed past event surveys, gathered feedback from our Engage & Exchange Work Group, and evaluated our internal workflow to ensure we're thoughtfully building a calendar that reflects the interests, challenges, and opportunities within our community.
Fortunately, we have an incredible subgroup of volunteers eagerly waiting to review applications. United Way staff, retirees, consultants, and alumni will bring their unique perspectives to the process as we work together to shape an entire year of diverse programming.
"When I first started, I recruited speakers one conversation at a time," said Carole Peters, President & CEO of UW NEXT. "Every adjustment we've made since then has come directly from listening to our members. I'm really proud that we've created a process that's organized, transparent, and turns great ideas into meaningful events!"
Screen recording of 2027 Guest Speaker Application page.
What Makes a Great Proposal?
Some of our most well-attended and memorable sessions have come from United Way professionals and alumni who simply wanted to share something that made a difference for them.
This could look like a lesson learned through their United Way, a strategy they developed, an experience that shaped their career, or something that transformed their professional or personal life. These sessions give our community an opportunity to learn from one another.
The strongest proposals typically:
Speak directly to United Way staff, alumni, retirees, or nonprofit leaders.
Focus on topics presenters are knowledgeable and passionate about.
Include practical ideas attendees can implement immediately.
Highlight experiences from within the United Way network.
Encourage discussion, learning, and connection.
Whether your expertise is in leadership, fundraising, AI, marketing, planned giving, board development, DEIAB, consulting, entrepreneurship, or something else, we’d love to hear from you!
United Way NEXT Lifetime YouTube Stats (August 2026)
Why Should You Apply?
Presenting with UW NEXT is about more than leading a webinar. It's an opportunity to give back to the network, position yourself as an expert, expand your professional relationships, and help strengthen communities for years to come.
Not only will you have the chance to engage with our members live, but each session is recorded and uploaded to our YouTube channel and listed in our Past Events Library. In 2025, our events gained over 3,150 views and to date we have over 648 watch hours.
Whether you're a first-time presenter or a seasoned professional, we encourage you to apply. Your session could inspire another leader, spark a new initiative, or be the answer someone has been looking for!
Help Shape the Year Ahead
United Way NEXT recognizes that the strongest programming reflects the diversity of experiences across our network. Together, we look forward to building a year's worth of engaging, inspiring, and educational content for our community!
To learn more about what we're looking for and how to submit your proposal, please visit our 2027 Guest Speaker page 💙
And don't forget to submit your proposal(s) by August 31st!