A Regional Approach to Financial Coaching

Surveys have shown that financial security is a priority for many families in the Suncoast area—and financial coaching is an effective tool to help empower our community members and provide them the support to become more financially secure. 

Our CoachingUnited program can help any organization—whether you have one staff member and no budget, or a multi-million-dollar budget with hundreds of employees—create and implement an effective, volunteer-led financial coaching program. This program is completely free to you and your team.  

Which organizations should apply for CoachingUnited? 

  • You don’t have a coaching program but want to offer one. 
  • You currently run a coaching program but want to refine or improve it. 
  • You want to join a cohort of like-minded organizations and collaborate. 

Benefits of joining and graduating as a ✅ CoachingUnited Partner:  

Referrals to community members for coaching and engagement. 

Periodic development and collaboration meetings for coaches and managers. 

Data-sharing to measure collective impact and track regional financial wellness.  

Tools, platforms, and resources to support volunteer financial coaches. 

United Way Suncoast has provided financial coaching as a direct service for nearly a decade. Over the years, it has worked with hundreds of community members through volunteer financial coaches, relying on best practices and evidence-based research.
A VOLUNTEER’S IMPACT
“My favorite moments are during a call when a client reports with pride that they were successful in paying down a debt, or lowering a specific bill, or any other task that makes them feel successful. I love the energy of small wins.”
A PARTICIPANT’S JOURNEY
“The budget discussions were good for seeing how I can accomplish my financial goals, which is helping me achieve my life goals. Learning what financial fitness is, and is not, improved my confidence and I am not as financially insecure.”

Topics Covered:

  • Understand the importance of coaching and its relationship with ALICE. 
  • Learn how to engage with and onboard community members for coaching. 
  • Develop branding and communications to market your program. 
  • Create a volunteer coach recruitment, training, and managing process.  
  • Discover ways to collect data, measure impact, and tell your story.  

What are the requirements to join?

  1. Your organization must be a nonprofit or government agency. 
  2. You must provide partial or full service to either DeSoto, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, and/or Sarasota residents.  
  3. If you currently offer a financial coaching service, it must be fee-free. 

How can I join?

  • Confirm your organization is eligible to apply. The details of these requirements are on the left.  
  • Read through the details of CoachingUnited to make sure it aligns with your goals and interests. 
  • Fully complete and submit an application prior to the deadline for the upcoming cohort.  

Applications

We are currently accepting applications for Cohort A, which will begin July 1, 2025. The deadline to apply is May 15. If your organization is selected, you will be contacted by May 30 and provided with instructions for getting started.  

We’re also accepting applications for Cohort B, beginning January 1, 2026. You must apply by November 15, 2025. If you’re selected, you will be contacted by November 30.

Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to learn more about applying and participation.

Apply today to become a ✅ CoachingUnited Partner and a key member of our regional network of free coaching providers.  

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact mchernesky@uwsuncoast.org for more information.