United Way of Southwest Georgia hosts first Campaign Kickoff with new leadership

ALBANY – The United Way of Southwest Georgia’s new president and CEO made his public debut during the nonprofit’s 2025 Campaign Kickoff Thursday.

Orson Burton Jr., an Albany native, took over the role in late August. On Thursday, he presented the start of the 2025 campaign, “United We Care,” which he called a multisector strategy. 

“United We Care is not your typical community initiative,” Burton said. “We’re not asking each sector to work harder in isolation. We are here with a coordinated investment strategy designed to strengthen four pillars that make every successful community. That is a skilled work force … stable families … a safe community and strong infrastructure.”

The United Way of Southwest Georgia is a nonprofit that works to improve the lives of citizens in the region by mobilizing resources for education, health and financial stability. Burton said more than 90% of the nonprofit’s raised funding is redistributed back into the community. This year’s campaign fundraising goal is $650,000, to be raised between Sept. 18 and Dec. 18. 

“The United Way is truly about community,” Dan Gillan, the former CEO of the Albany Area YMCA, who opened the kickoff event, said. “Our world needs the United Way now … more than ever. Our community needs the getting-your-hands-dirty mentality. We have to fight for the money, the funding. We have to fight to get on board with … Orson and his team.”

Burton addressed challenges in southwest Georgia communities: a higher-than-average unemployment rate, a low number of college-educated residents and a declining population. He said these challenges create a ripple effect across every sector. Burton said one of these effects is a staffing shortage at a time when local organizations need people the most. 

He stressed the importance of a more collaborative, regional approach.

“Every sector is working hard individually, but we’ve been working in parallel, instead of in partnership,” Butler said. “We want to collaborate across sectors to bring resources and coordinated services. We believe that as we serve those who need it most, our entire community becomes better.”

Michael Smith, the Greater Valdosta United Way’s CEO, pledged his group’s support of Burton and his team. Smith previously served as the chair of United Ways of Georgia, which he said is working to better establish the state association. He said the state association is the only one of the 10 most populous states in the U.S. that doesn’t have full-time staff.

“Our goal is to connect with Orson and the United Way of southwest Georgia,” Smith said. “To help support, guide, direct in any way possible.”

He urged community members to mobilize with each other to not only raise money but volunteer.  

“We will not survive if we don’t collaborate,” Burton said. “That day is over, and it’s a new day with United Way. With this ‘United We Care’ fundraising campaign, it’s going to be what makes our region competitive.” 

The link to donate to the United Way of Southwest Georgia is https://www.unitedwayswga.org/ways-to-give.