United Way NEXT Launches the Consultant Collaborative: A New Era of Connection and Collaboration
After 18 months and counting, United Way NEXT successfully launched the Consultant Collaborative on September 30, 2025!
With over 70 registered attendees and 48 joining live, it was clear this was a resource our community had been waiting for. In fact, 14 individuals joined the Collaborative during the call, 5 more joined within the first 24 hours, and 10 more in the first week. Nearly one month later, we’re proud to celebrate that we’ve welcomed 38 Founding Members so far.
A Launch to Remember
The Consultant Collaborative began as a response to growing requests from local United Way leaders seeking expert guidance and an increase in UW NEXT members identifying as consultants (over 25%).
Since 2023, UW NEXT President & CEO Carole Peters has responded to 31 inquiries from LUWs. Each began with a discovery call to better understand their needs, followed by personal introductions and consultant recommendations. Those conversations have led to 12 successful placements while validating the need for both consultant expertise and a reliable source to connect the right professionals with the right opportunities.
Luckily, the UW NEXT team found a way to empower both the consultants doing the work and the organizations that rely on them through the launch of their Consultant Collaborative! Attendees were welcomed by Terry Tolan, followed by Patrick Jinks, who shared the purpose, goals, and benefits of the Collaborative. Available Leadership Team Members introduced themselves and participants received a virtual walkthrough of the Consultant Collaborative hub.
“This launch represents what United Way NEXT does best,” said Carole Peters. “We listen to our members, we collaborate, and we create solutions that strengthen the entire network. The Consultant Collaborative is a perfect example of that.”
But the launch didn’t happen overnight.
Virtual Walkthrough of the Consultant Collaborative Hub (October 2025).
From Idea to Implementation
Nearly two years ago, the idea for the Consultant Collaborative emerged within the Resource Development & Member Recruitment Work Group. It was then passed along to the Engage & Exchange Work Group and what began as a single conversation evolved into a dedicated subgroup and now, a formal leadership team.
Throughout this time, Carole championed the vision, connecting with United Way consultants, furthering relationships to LUWs, and advocating for a place where members could learn from, collaborate with, and promote one another. With the addition of two new team members this year, it was finally time to start building!
What’s followed has been a true team effort, shaped by member input, guided by consultant expertise, and designed to evolve over time. As more members join, resources will continue to expand based on their needs and feedback. That’s why we’re so grateful to our Founding Members that are helping shape what this initiative looks like and how it can best serve our community!
“The Consultant Collaborative is more than a program. It’s a space designed for consultants to provide peer support, share opportunities, and amplify their impact,” said Patrick Jinks, Chair of the Consultant Collaborative Leadership Team. “Our goal is to help each other succeed and, in doing so, strengthen the entire United Way network and beyond.”
“It truly is a win-win,” he continues. “It's a win for the consultants because we can develop, strengthen, and sharpen our skills together. And it's a win for the United Way Network, because it provides them with the best cadre of consultants to meet their diverse needs.”
Consultant Collaborative Founding Members as of 10/28/25.
Early Access for Founding Members
On October 2nd, Founding Members received access to the official Consultant Collaborative Hub. Inside the ever-growing resource, they can explore their home page, a dedicated onboarding page, a Consultant Directory, a Past Events Library, and a list of available RFPs. And this is just the beginning!
In addition to the benefits outlined on the Consultant Collaborative page, Founding Members will receive:
An invitation to our very first Consultant Collaborative Social Hour on November 5th
Placement in our Consultant Directory before it launches across the network
Special acknowledgment as a Founding Member on our website
Eligibility to subscribe at our introductory rate of $200
One full year of zero revenue share obligation
Personalized assistance with UWO & Performance Link setup
An invite to attend the ALICE Summit in Miami, FL this January
“We’re trying to really encourage folks to go ahead and make the decision and the investment to join before the end of the year,” said Terry Tolan. “We think it’s a great opportunity for folks to support each other and to engage, which is what we’re all about as United Way NEXT’s Engage & Exchange Work Group. So, it’s been exciting to see it finally come to fruition and to see such a diverse group of consultants get involved.”
Be a Part of What’s NEXT
Whether you’re a consultant or a local United Way leader seeking support, we built the Consultant Collaborative as the perfect opportunity to engage with others who understand both the mission and the work.
To gain access to the Consultant Collaborative Hub, UW NEXT members will need to join the Collaborative. And to access the Consultant Directory, you’ll need to be an individual or local United Way member.
Not sure if it’s the right fit for you? Watch the Launch Party replay or explore the Consultant Collaborative benefits today!
PS. You don’t have to be a full-time consultant to join the collaborative! It’s available to all UW NEXT members looking to build their consultancy, improve visibility, move from part-time to full-time, or simply gain peer support. We’re here to support you in every phase of your United Way journey!