2025 Annual Conference

UWNC Annual Conference

The Inn at Elon: February 25-27, 2025

The United Way of North Carolina Annual Conference will provide:

  • Networking Opportunities: Engage with local United Way leaders, UWNC Board Members, and peers through two networking dinners and a lunch, fostering connections that can help spark new ideas and advance your organization's mission.
  • Diverse Learning Sessions: Gain valuable insights on topics like resource diversification, legal compliance, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and best practices for revitalizing fundraising efforts.
  • Expert-Led Workshops: Attend specialized sessions on key topics such as nonprofit revenue diversification, defining impact, and using the Thriving United Way Framework for strategic planning.
  • Best Practice Showcase: Learn from the Spirit of NC award winners who will share their successful fundraising strategies and innovative community partnerships.
  • Panel Discussions & Case Studies: Hear from NC 211 staff on their impactful work and real-world results in addressing community needs.
  • Recognition of Excellence: Celebrate and honor United Way members who have made extraordinary contributions to Hurricane Helene Relief efforts.
  • Exclusive Executive Director Sessions: Participate in a special conversation for Executive Directors focused on managing sensitive staff discussions and building strong team dynamics.
  • Tools for Immediate Implementation: Leave with actionable tools and resources designed to enhance your organization's community impact and fundraising efforts.

This event offers both inspiration and practical knowledge to drive your local United Way's success.

Registration cost: $200

Click here to register for the Annual Conference.

Payments can be made via credit card or choose "off-line" payment to pay by check. 

Thanks to United Way Worldwide's sponsorship United Way of North Carolina will provide a $200 reimbursement per participant. 

Criteria to receive the $200 reimbursement after the conference

  • Be a United Way staff member

  • Attend both conference days (the 26th and 27th)

  • Drive each day from home to attend the conference

  • Stay at the Inn at Elon. This is to encourage attendees to fill our room block and receive a lower hotel group rate.

Room Reservations

Call the Inn at Elon at (336) 586-0329 to request a room. Please keep in mind that availability is not guaranteed.

Agenda

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 

Time Frame 

Lazer X - The Family Zone: 3356 S Church St A, Burlington, NC 27215 

6:00 – 8:00 PM 

Lazer tag, networking, and dinner (Optional) 

 

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 

Time Frame 

Ballroom A 

Ballroom B 

Ballroom C 

8:30 – 9:45 AM 

 

Critical Conversations with Breakfast (United Way Executive Directors Only) 

 

Breakfast in C for non-Executive Directors 

9:45 – 10:00 AM 

Welcome 

 

 

10:00 – 11:15 AM 

 

Nonprofit Compliance 

 

 

11:15 – 11:30 AM 

Break 

Break 

Break 

11:30 – 12:45 PM 

 

Diversification of Revenue 

 

DEI: Approaching the Work with Caution and Courage 

 

12:45 – 1:00 PM 

Buffet Line 

Buffet Line 

Buffet Line 

1:00 – 2:15 PM 

 

Board Retreat 

Lunch Panel: NC 211 Overview and Utilization  

2:15 – 3:30 PM 

 

Utilizing the Thriving United Way Self-Assessment to Create Your Strategic Plan 

 

3:30 – 3:45 PM 

Break 

Break 

3:45 – 5:00 PM 

Campaigns Aren’t Dead 

Defining and Measuring Impact 

 

5:00 – 5:45 PM 

Break 

Break 

Break 

5:45 – 6:30 PM 

Reception 

Reception 

Reception 

6:30 – 8:00 PM 

 

 

Dinner and Recognition:  

New CEOs and Retiring CEOs 

Hurricane Helene Response Recognition 

 

Thursday, February 27, 2025 

Time Frame 

Ballroom A 

Ballroom B 

Ballroom C 

8:00 – 9:00 AM 

 

 

Breakfast 

9:30 – 11:00 AM 

Best Practice Showcase 

Board Meeting 

 

11:00 – 11:30 AM 

Anita Barker Make It Matter and Best Practices Awards Ceremony 

 

 

11:30 – 12:30 PM 

Lunch and ALICE Launch  

 

 

12:30 PM 

Conference Concludes 

 

 

 

Session Topics

The conference agenda includes the following sessions specific to the United Way framework. All of these sessions will have a DEI lens woven into the content.

  • Legal Compliance of NC Nonprofits
  • Diversification of Revenue
  • Defining and Measuring Impact
  • Panel Lunch and Learn: NC 211 staff sharing their impact and results they’ve seen in their work.
  • DEI: Approaching the Work with Caution and Courage
  • Utilizing the Thriving United Way Framework Self-Assessment to Create Your Strategic Plan
  • Campaigns Aren't Dead: How to reach success with workplace campaigns
  • Critical Conversations: Executive Directors only, discussing how to have sensitive and serious conversations with their staff members.
  • Best Practice Showcase: Sharing methods and practices for fundraising success)
  • Anita Barker’s Make It Matter Award Ceremony
  • Recognition of United Way members who have been Hurricane Helene Relief Champions
  • Recognition of Hurricane Helene Relief and Recovery Efforts. To be featured, fill out this form.

Sponsorship

 

Sponsorship

You can complete your sponsorship by clicking the link here.

FAQ's

  • When do I find out the session topics?
    • UWNC will release the full agenda once it is finalized. UWNC are still confirming speakers based on their availabilities. You will also receive a physical copy of the program book when you arrive onsite.
  • By what date do I need to book my room at the Inn at Elon?
    • The deadline to book your room at the discounted UWNC group rate is January 24, 2025. From there on, you are subject to paying the full room rate amount.
  • I am a UWNC board member but not a United Way staff member. Do I also get the $200 reimbursement?
    • Unfortunately no, only United Way staff members are eligible to receive the $200 reimbursement.
  • I am a UWNC board member AND a United Way staff member. Do I still get the $200 reimbursement?
    • As long as you attend the conference on the 26th and 27th, did not stay at a hotel at all, or if you stayed at the Inn at Elon, you are eligible to receive the $200 reimbursement.
  • I am a United Way staff member and attended both days at the conference, but I stayed at alternative hotel or AirBNB or VRBO accommodation, not at the Inn at Elon. Can I still receive the $200 reimbursement?
    • Unfortunately no, the criteria states you must have stayed at the Inn at Elon or traveled from home to receive the $200 reimbursement.