Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
Local nonprofits get $38M+ thanks to Birmingham organization
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On Thursday, December 11, I attended United Way of Central Alabama’s (UWCA) celebration of its 2025 annual campaign along with 200 Greater Birmingham community members.
After hearing that they raised $38,806,817 for nonprofits, programs and services across Central Alabama, I couldn’t help but think of the people and communities that money supports. Some of whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and writing about.
I’m sharing three of my favorite UWCA stories from this year. Keep reading to see how your donations have helped them—and how your 2026 funds will support more great work in and around Birmingham.
3 stories that inspired us
Individuals with disabilities find meaningful employment
This past October, we celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month alongside UWCA with a list of local nonprofits that blend job training, mentorship and real-world work experience. The nonprofits included:
- Easterseals
- United Ability
- The Arc of Central Alabama, Shelby County + Walker County
- Workshops Empowered Incorporated (WE Inc.)
- Alabama Goodwill
The takeaway: Workplaces are making job opportunities more inclusive. Check it out.
Early education can thrive in Birmingham with the help of UWCA
On average, across Central Alabama’s six counties, there are fewer than five childcare centers for every 1,000 children between the ages of three and five.
I sat down with three ladies from UWCA’s Early Childhood Development and Education team—Amber, Ladye and Jasmine—to learn how they prepare kids for big futures.
The takeaway: Early involvement is crucial to future success. Read the full story.
Volunteers across Central Alabama come together for one goal
The biggest reason I’m in this career is because of the people I get to meet and then write about. Because of that, La Toya Cathey was a dream feature!
I met her in April of this year and listened as she walked me through every facet of UWCA she’s involved with—from Habitat for Humanity and the food bank, to programs like Women United and J. Mason Davis Leadership Society.
She’s been a financial donor to UWCA since the late 1990s, but became a volunteer in 2015 because of her employer, Brasfield & Gorrie’s, involvement. Whether she’s realized it or not, La Toya has lived a life impacted by UWCA.
She said it best:
“If [Brasfield & Gorrie] didn’t give this opportunity, I would still be involved. I was introduced to it, and now it’s a part of my life.”La Toya Cathéy
La Toya Cathéy
The takeaway: There’s always time to give back. Meet La Toya, who makes volunteering work with her busy schedule.
$38,806,817 raised for 100+ nonprofits + programs across Central Alabama
People and stories like these are the heart of UWCA’s mission. And the $38+ million raised is vital to the well-being of the communities they work with.
Where does this money go?
These are just a few of the nonprofit agencies that UWCA helps fund every year:
- American Cancer Society
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama
- Children’s Aid Society
- Children’s of Alabama
- Girl Scouts of North Central Alabama
- Legacy YMCA
- Levite Jewish Community Center
- United Ability
- Pathways
- YMCA of Greater Birmingham
- YWCA of Central Alabama
How did they pull it off?
The millions of dollars raised each year can’t happen without a great group of mission-driven people supporting the cause. Here are a few groups that helped:
- Loaned Executives who help raise money toward UWCA’s annual goal over a 13-week program
- Visiting Allocations Team, which helps UWCA ensure that every dollar serves its intended purpose
- Local companies that host their own campaigns, like Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Children’s of Alabama + more
I feel so lucky to have a front-row seat at all the amazing things UWCA and its supporters are doing for local communities. I can’t wait for another great year!
Donate, serve + support United Way of Central Alabama throughout the coming year. Get involved today.
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