Build a better Birmingham: Check out a partnership between 2 local businesses

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One of the things we love about Birmingham is how folks are always looking for ways to come together and lift up those in need. This extends to locally-based businesses, too!

I try to stay in the loop with everything United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) is doing across Birmingham communities, and recently, I found out how Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED (also a big fan of theirs!) has unique ties with UWCA. 

Last week, I met Birmingham-local Alec Taylor to hear all about this partnership and how a recent role allowed him a front-row seat at all the amazing nonprofits and community initiatives across Greater Birmingham.

How the local partnership started vs. how it’s going

Turns out these two entities have long been connected: Coca-Cola UNITED’s founder, Crawford Johnson Sr., was instrumental in creating the Birmingham Community Chest, now known as United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA).

This relationship is still going strong, because Coca-Cola UNITED President and CEO Mike Suco led this year’s United Way’s 2025 Pacesetter Campaign.

What is the Pacesetter campaign?

To fill you in, UWCA has a huge campaign each fall (September to December), where they aim to raise millions of dollars for nonprofits across Central Alabama.

To kick off the annual campaign, local companies start their internal campaigns a little early (July to September) to kick-start donations.

Thanks to Coca-Cola UNITED and dozens of other local companies, $11 million was raised for UWCA’s partner agencies—organizations such as:

• American Cancer Society
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama
• Children’s Aid Society
• Children’s of Alabama
• Girl Scouts of North Central Alabama
• Levite Jewish Community Center
• United Ability
• YWCA of Central Alabama
• + more

How is Coca-Cola UNITED involved?

Taylor, the Media and Promotions Manager for Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, worked alongside Suco as the Coca-Cola UNITED chair for Pacesetter.

In this role, Taylor helped rally his coworkers to join the effort in raising money for these nonprofits.

“United Way has such a huge impact across all of its partner agencies in Central Alabama. So for me, it just helps to know that my money is going further to support needs in the community. Every dollar matters.”

Alec Taylor, Media and Promotions Manager, Coca-Cola UNITED

Coca-Cola UNITED supports dozens of Birmingham orgs

Coca-Cola UNITED has a hand in a lot of local organizations. A few more include:

• Birmingham Promise: Nonprofit that provides tuition assistance for Birmingham City Schools graduates attending public 2- or 4-year colleges or universities in Alabama
• Children’s of Alabama: Caroline Johnson (wife of Coca-Cola UNITED Founder Crawford Johnson) was integral in renovating the hospital + served as its president for 15 years
• KultureCity: Nonprofit that creates sensory accessibility + inclusion for those with “invisible disabilities”
• Live Healthsmart Alabama: Comprehensive plan with businesses, schools, faith-based organizations + nonprofits to impact the health of Alabamians
• Regions Tradition: Coca-Cola UNITED was the presenting sponsor of the 2025 golf tournament—helping bring in $25 million for Children’s of Alabama

Supporting local organizations that are already doing so much for Birmingham individuals and families ties perfectly into Coca-Cola UNITED’s core values. After meeting Taylor and others from Coca-Cola UNITED, I know their role in UWCA’s campaign and other initiatives is going a long way.

“It’s very humbling to work with an organization like United Way, which has such a tremendous impact and really fits in with our core values at Coca-Cola UNITED. It’s an honor for me to rally our associates for a great cause in our community.”

Alec Taylor, Media and Promotions Manager, Coca-Cola UNITED

Learn more about how Coca-Cola UNITED supports Greater Birmingham communities.

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