Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP)

United Way’s Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP) is designed to develop and enhance leadership skills and increase diverse volunteer participation in nonprofit board and leadership positions in Greater Atlanta. VIP gives participants the tools to serve as effective board members of local nonprofit agencies.

Janice Robinson
Executive Director, United Way VIP
VIP participants develop their leadership skills, earn a highly regarded credential, and benefit from the connections they make among the VIP alumni network.

Joining VIP is more than just volunteering—it’s a powerful opportunity to grow as a leader, connect with your community, and make a lasting impact. As a VIP participant, you’ll earn a highly regarded credential and gain access to a dynamic network of alumni who continue to shape the nonprofit sector in meaningful ways. VIP alumni are known for bringing strategic thinking, leadership, and innovation to the organizations they serve—often helping nonprofits expand their reach, improve operations, and deepen their community impact. By joining VIP, you’re not only investing in your own development—you’re stepping into a legacy of service that continues to transform communities long after the program ends.

The program is offered in the spring, summer, and fall. Spring and Fall are offered in person on Mondays or Wednesdays. Summer classes are fully virtual. We are no longer accepting applications for our Summer 2026 cohort. The FALL 2026 application is now open. The FALL application deadline is Friday, August 14, 2026.

Fall 2026 Dates – All sessions are in person from 4–7 p.m.

  • Mondays: September 14, 21, 28; October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16
  • Wednesdays: September 16, 23, 30; October 7, 14, 21, 29; November 4, 11, 18

Upon acceptance into the program, a $100 non-refundable Board Commitment Fee is due by September 4, 2026, and a $900 fundraising requirement is due by November 13, 2026.

A VIP Benefit, in Partnership with BoardBuild

Are you a United Way VIP alumni ready to refresh your board training and step into a new board role? VIP is proud to offer new online training opportunities and board matching in partnership with BoardBuild. Sign up and gain access to expert board training and guided pathways to board service—building stronger leaders and a stronger Atlanta.

If you haven’t yet participated in United Way VIP but would like virtual board training at your own pace, we welcome you to sign up for BoardBuild as a first step in your board leadership journey.

Sign up today!

Benefits That Add Up To More

VIP alumni benefit not only from the excellent training and the well-respected credential but also from the connections they make and the network they become part of as VIP alumni.
Grow
Get the tools you need to serve as an effective board member.
Network
Join a network of 3000+ leaders who are diverse in their ethnicity, profession, and community service.
Learn
Gain skills in nonprofit financial governance, intentional leadership, and so much more.
Lead
Use your VIP training to serve as a nonprofit board member and shape the future of Greater Atlanta.

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Highlight Reel

United Way of Greater Atlanta VIP launched in 1992 with the goal to build better nonprofit boards — with a focus on building a pipeline of diverse board candidates. Thirty years later, United Way VIP has trained more than 3,300 program graduates and connected board members to more than 1,100 nonprofits in Greater Atlanta and across the U.S.

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