Call For Speakers: United Way NEXT 2026 Event RFP Now Open
When the United Way Retirees Association first launched, they committed to “enriching the lives of retired United Way professionals by helping them stay connected and using their skills and talents to help UWs serve their communities.” Now 35 years later, United Way NEXT continues this mission by leveraging the skills and expertise of our volunteers. With an expanded membership base, UW professionals, alumni, and retirees diligently serve as board members, work group chairs, faculty members, mentors, guest speakers, and more!
As UW NEXT Board Chair Paul DeBassio once said, this is “the year of experience and the year of reconnection.” And for the past nine months, our team has worked to incorporate that spirit into every part of UW NEXT, making sure every event, initiative, and interaction leaves our members feeling inspired, engaged, and connected.
Most recently, Ivy Cirillo, our Marketing, Communications, & Events Manager, partnered with a special Request for Proposals (RFP) Subgroup to reimagine the 2026 Event Speaker RFP process. Collaborating to build on the incredible foundation the Engage & Exchange Work Group created last year, the process evolved to make it easier, more inclusive, and more impactful for everyone!
Celebrating Last Year’s Success
Thanks to the leadership of Engage & Exchange Work Group Co-Chair Terry Tolan, our very first RFP set the stage for an exceptional event calendar! The process generated more than 25 proposals, introducing new speakers and event series. In fact, over half of the submissions were selected to become part of this year’s programming, helping us deliver content that resonated with members across the greater United Way network.
This year, we’ve hosted over 25 events with nearly 1500 registrations, over 600 attendees, and more than 300 United Way representatives. Members have also engaged with our recordings, accumulating over 2,800 views on YouTube, a 333% increase over last year, and 195 watch hours, up 134%. Some of the top sessions include:
Highest Registrations: Learning About Basic Planned Giving Vehicles & Gift Acceptance Policies
Highest Attendance: Conflict on Purpose: In Support of Innovation
Most Replays: United Way’s Advocacy Forum & Capital Hill Day 2025
Most Popular RFP Series: Personal Discovery Sessions
With 12 events remaining this year, including three sessions from last year’s RFP, there are still plenty of opportunities to join the conversation! You can easily register for upcoming events or check out our Past Events Library on our website.
Screenshot of UW NEXT’s 2026 Guest Speaker Application page.
building on a Strong Foundation
With the support of UW NEXT’s Board of Directors and the investment in two new team members, we had the chance to take a fresh look at the entire events process! Together we identified opportunities to transfer the ownership of tasks, create templates, and review the RFP process. All with the purpose of creating a smoother, more streamlined experience for applicants and volunteers, while making sure our team has the time and space to plan, schedule, and promote each session thoughtfully.
The RFP application and webpage have since been refreshed prioritizing accessibility and ease. In just four minutes, applicants can understand what we’re looking for, how the process works, and what happens after submission. The page now features a short video, transcript, and an FAQ section that answers last year’s questions, helping presenters feel confident while allowing our team to plan and promote sessions efficiently!
The staff has also taken the initiative to make scheduling more intentional than ever. Events will now be carefully arranged between board meetings, work group meetings, conferences, holidays, and staff availability to ensure every event has the best possible chance for attendance and engagement.
We truly support the efforts of the applicants, volunteers, and the staff involved in this process!
Welcoming New Voices
We’re excited to bring fresh perspectives and new energy to our 2026 events! Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or presenting for the first time, we encourage you to submit a session that shares your expertise and provides real value to our members.
We’re looking for engaging topics that inspire, educate, and spark meaningful conversations. Your session could cover nonprofit leadership, professional growth, personal development, wellness, creativity, storytelling, equity and inclusion, or any other area that enriches the lives of our community. And you’re more than welcome to submit more than one!
At UW NEXT, we believe every person brings unique perspective and experiences. That’s why we strongly encourage diversity in both session topics and speakers. Through our community commitment, we hope to cultivate a sense of value and belonging across all of our programmatic efforts.
By submitting a session, you’re not only sharing your knowledge but also helping strengthen our vibrant, inclusive community. Every proposal has the potential to make an impact, offering insights, practical skills, or a fresh perspective to help members navigate challenges and explore opportunities. We can’t wait to see yours!
Shaping the Year Ahead
This is your opportunity to help create memorable experiences for United Way NEXT members. Submit your proposal for the 2026 Event Speaker RFP or share this opportunity with someone you know would be a great fit!
Together, we can continue building a calendar of events that inspires, engages, and connects members across the United Way network 💙