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United Way of Central Alabama Inc

Annual Giving
$67.1M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.0M

United Way of Central Alabama Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $67,097,130 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $131,021,753 (2023)
  • Campaign Raised: $38.7 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: $2,500 (Community Project Grants) up to $25,000 (EXCEL Childcare Grants)
  • Number of Grant Awards: 120 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Central Alabama (Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, and Walker counties)
  • Charity Navigator Rating: Four-Star (100% score)

Contact Details

Overview

Founded in 1923 as the Birmingham Community Chest, United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) is one of the largest and most established United Way organizations in Alabama. The organization invests more than $28 million annually to support improved health, education, financial stability, and access to services across its six-county service area. UWCA operates as both a grant-maker and direct service provider—a distinction that sets it apart from many United Ways nationally. The organization manages more than 200 programs and partners, including the Area Agency on Aging and the statewide 2-1-1 Call Center.

UWCA has earned its 19th consecutive Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator (2024), achieving a 100% score for financial health, accountability, and transparency. In its 2024 campaign, UWCA raised $38.7 million—exceeding its goal by more than $1.2 million—to support over 100 partner agencies addressing hunger, education, mental health, and other critical community needs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Project Grants

  • Amount: Up to $2,500 per project
  • Purpose: Short-term projects or one-time expenses creating meaningful, positive change for county residents
  • Application Method: Online grant portal; applications open in early summer
  • Decision Process: Internal review followed by county advisory board evaluation
  • Recent Awards: 15 agencies received $25,000 total in Shelby County; 12 agencies received nearly $25,000 in Chilton County (December 2024)

EXCEL (Expanding Childcare and Early Learning) Grants

  • Amount: Up to $25,000 per provider
  • Purpose: Increase childcare capacity through facility repairs, classroom additions, and safety improvements
  • Eligibility: Childcare providers certified by Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) located in the six-county service area
  • Additional Benefits: Training in early learning best practices, business development coaching, technical assistance
  • Impact: Over 30 childcare centers funded, creating an estimated 1,500 additional childcare slots

Food Security Grants

  • Amount: Variable
  • Purpose: Support nonprofits distributing food to communities
  • Recent Activity: $580,000 distributed to over 100 local organizations

Partner Agency Allocations

  • Purpose: Annual allocations to over 70 partner agencies through the annual campaign
  • Process: Agencies participate in an annual allocations process including application and visit from a Visiting Allocations Team

Priority Areas

  • Community Health & Well-Being
  • Crisis Response & Resource Support
  • Early Childhood Development & Education
  • Financial Stability & Career Development
  • Homelessness Prevention & Housing
  • Hunger Relief
  • Mental Health
  • Senior Support
  • Youth Health & Wellness
  • Youth Support & After-School Programs

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Organizations should review detailed guidelines available through the UWCA Grantee Portal or contact UWCA directly for eligibility requirements.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

  • Drew Langloh - President & CEO (since 2008)

    • MBA from Samford University
    • Previously served as President and Chief Professional Officer at United Way of Delaware
    • "Drew Langloh has dedicated his career to the mission of serving the underserved through the United Way movement."

  • Kelly L. Carlton - Executive VP & COO

  • Chris Smith - SVP, Finance & CFO

  • Chip Graham - Sr. VP of Marketing & Communications

  • Karla Lawrence - Sr. VP of Community Initiatives

  • John Martin - Sr. VP of Resource Development

  • Samuetta Primus Nesbitt - Sr. VP of Public Relations & Community Affairs

Board Chair (2024):

  • Leroy Abrahams - Head of Community Affairs at Regions Bank (2024 Campaign Chair)
  • Chip Bivins Jr. - Board Chair

County Advisory Boards: Each county has an Advisory Board that guides local funding decisions. As Shakeitha Tatum (Vice President) noted about the Shelby County Advisory Board: members "know the needs because they live in Shelby County and see it every day."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. New Applicants: Complete the New Account Set Up Form for access to the online grant system
  2. Existing Grantees: Log in to the UWCA Grantee Portal at uwca.org/for-nonprofits/grants/
  3. Review Guidelines: Access application guidelines and requirements through the portal
  4. Submit Application: All applications must be submitted through the UWCA online grant system

Application Timeline

  • Community Project Grants: Applications open in early summer
  • EXCEL Childcare Grants: Rolling applications through the online portal
  • Partner Agency Allocations: Annual process with applications and site visits

When no application cycles are active, organizations can still access the portal to review prior funding opportunities and prepare for future cycles.

Decision Timeline

  • Community Project Grants undergo internal review followed by detailed discussions with county advisory boards to evaluate community needs and project impact
  • Specific decision timeframes are not publicly documented

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented. Contact UWCA directly for guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Alignment

  • Organizations must serve residents within UWCA's six-county service area: Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, or Walker counties
  • Projects should demonstrate specific benefit to county residents

Mission Alignment

  • Projects should address UWCA's core priorities: health, education, financial stability, and access to services
  • Review recently funded projects for guidance:
    • Healthy lifestyle education programs
    • Equipment purchases (AEDs, hygiene supplies)
    • School-based mentoring programs
    • Food distribution and hunger relief
    • Senior services and support programs

For EXCEL Childcare Grants:

  • Must be DHR-certified childcare provider
  • Focus on one-time expenses that increase capacity
  • Demonstrate ability to create additional childcare slots

For Community Project Grants:

  • Short-term projects with measurable outcomes
  • One-time expenses rather than ongoing operational costs
  • Clear demonstration of positive change for county residents

Recently Funded Organizations Include:

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham
  • Heart of Alabama Food Bank
  • Community of Hope Health Clinic
  • CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
  • Senior Connection
  • Mental Health boards

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Strong Local Focus: UWCA prioritizes projects that directly benefit residents in their six-county service area. Demonstrate specific, measurable community impact for the county where you're applying.

  • Multiple Funding Pathways: Don't overlook the Community Project Grants ($2,500 max)—these smaller grants are awarded across multiple counties and can be excellent entry points for building a relationship with UWCA.

  • Timing Matters: Community Project Grant applications open in early summer. Set calendar reminders and prepare materials in advance to meet deadlines.

  • Advisory Board Model: County Advisory Boards make funding recommendations. Consider engaging with community leaders in your target county who may serve on these boards.

  • Direct Service Provider: Unlike many United Ways, UWCA provides direct services. Partner organizations should understand how their work complements rather than duplicates UWCA's direct service programs.

  • New Applicant Process: First-time applicants must complete a New Account Set Up Form before accessing the grant portal. Build in extra time for this step.

  • High Credibility Funder: UWCA's 19th consecutive Four-Star Charity Navigator rating signals strong fiscal management. Applicants should demonstrate similar financial responsibility and transparency in their applications.

References

Accessed: December 2025

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