United Way of Central Alabama
Deep Dives
Deep Dives are free site visits to selected nonprofit organizations that serve critical socioeconomic needs in Alabama. The CEO describes the work of the organization, its history, challenges, and needs. A tour of the facility provides a deeper understanding. Participants may optionally use a provided checklist to make observations and discuss what they observed and learned. Recommendations can be sent to the CEO. This Deep Dive is limited to 70 participants. Please send an email to our Events Chair to reserve your seat and you will receive a confirmation and checklist by reply email: Email John Whitman.
The Organization
United Way has a rich history in helping neighborhoods and communities in Central Alabama. It began as a cooperative action to address our city’s human services problems. The United Way of Central Alabama, Inc. (formerly The Birmingham Community Chest) was organized in 1923 with 31 agencies and a goal of $450,000. The legal name was changed to the United Way-Community Chest of Central Alabama, Inc. in 1985. And in 1992, the name was changed to United Way of Central Alabama, Inc. Today, United Way’s impact has grown to over 80 programs and initiatives, 70 partner agencies and a fundraising impact of more than $38 million. Throughout its history, the United Way has not changed its basic purpose: To increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another and to improve their communities.
The Senior Vice President of Community Impact
Sara Newell is responsible for annual fund allocations and evaluation of programmatic results for more than 80 United Way partner organizations across Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and Walker Counties. In 2014, Newell assumed responsibility for community convening, planning and grant-making in each of United Way’s four impact areas of Health, Education, Financial Stability and Access to Services/Crisis Response. Newell holds a Masters of Public Administration from UAB and a Bachelor of Arts from Samford University. Prior to assuming her role at United Way, she worked for five years as a fundraiser for United Cerebral Palsy in Los Angeles and New York City, where she was responsible for several major campaigns including a grants program that raised approximately $700,000 annually. She is married to Van Newell, an Instructor of English and Creative Writing at the University of Alabama and is mother to Gideon, age 7 and Isaac, age 2. In her spare time, she loves to garden and play outside with her sons.