United Way Announces 2024-26 Partner Agencies

United Way of Southwest Alabama is thrilled to welcome our new partner agencies. On July 1, 2024, 50 local nonprofits are joining the United Way Network.

The United Way of Southwest Alabama (United Way) is pleased to announce 50 new agency partners for the 2024-2026 cycle.

For the first time in nearly a decade, the United Way opened its partnership application process to local health and human service nonprofits operating within Choctaw, Clarke, Mobile, and Washington counties. This initiative is part of the organization’s community impact model, which focuses on building youth opportunity, community resiliency, healthy communities, and financial security. Moving forward, an open partnership process will be welcomed every two years, where agencies will reapply or apply for partnership for the first time.

“Our commitment to building more resilient communities is our top priority,” explained Justine Bixler, President & CEO. “We owe it to our community, donors, and partners to ensure the highest level of accountability and efficiency in serving the residents of Southwest Alabama. Our newest slate of partners are representative of the highest standards of non-profit service and excellence.”

The newly approved agencies will have the opportunity to a) receive designated donations from corporations and individuals and b) participate in the annual allocations process where funding is awarded to local nonprofits as a result of United Way’s workplace giving campaigns with 400+ local businesses, educational institutions, hospitals, and municipalities that provide corporate contributions and whose employees give to the annual campaign through payroll deduction.

“We ensure that all contributions raised in Southwest Alabama stay in Southwest Alabama. Decisions about investments and partnerships are made locally, by trained volunteers and Board members representing our corporate partners with the community’s needs at the heart of each decision,” said Bixler.

Our commitment to strengthening community bonds is reflected in the comprehensive vetting process. According to Glyn Agnew, United Way Community Impact Chair and Regional Director at AT&T, “each potential partner undergoes a comprehensive vetting process, which includes a review of their programs, financials, operations, and community impact as well as site visits conducted by our dedicated team of community volunteers and experts.”

USA Health Children’s and Women’s Hospital is delighted to be a partner with the United Way of Southwest Alabama. “Our mutual mission to create healthy communities in which families can thrive makes this partnership all the more impactful,” said Debbie Browning, CEO of USA Health Children’s and Women’s Hospital. “Children are only as healthy as the communities in which they live and together, we can make a significant impact.”

The value United Way brings to our community is centered on our collaborative approach to filling gaps in coverage and quickly helping children, individuals, and families back on their feet, leading fulfilling lives. Providing youth opportunities, quality healthcare, housing, and addiction and recovery resources are just a few of our focus areas for the upcoming partnership cycle. We are proud to say our newest slate of partners are top-tier, have exceptional program delivery, and are transforming the quality of life where we live each day.

As we consistently work towards creating solutions, fostering an open process for nonprofits to highlight their impact and give them the ability to join us in making positive change for our community is key. “You will not find a more collaborative and transformative approach than United Way’s impact model,” said Bixler. This partnership expansion is another step in the right direction and expected to bring a fresh outlook and excitement to ongoing efforts to address challenges facing our community. United Way’s ability to leverage the unique strengths of each of our nonprofit partners to enhance the collective impact we have when we work together is unmatched and we welcome the community to join us in our shared desire to create positive change across Southwest Alabama.

United Way Partners Agencies: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026