Campaign Resources

United Way Campaign Tips

• Get support from the top! Campaigns that have the voiced support of company leadership typically do well
• Campaign is short and sweet – couple weeks, not much longer
• Form a committee! Many hands lighten the load. Form your committee based on the number of employees at your company. For example, a committee of about 10 people could easily plan, organize and administer the campaign each year for about 2,200 employees (setting the goal, timeline and creating events and activities)
• Depending on the size of your company, break your workforce down into manageable departments/groups
• Ask for a volunteer in each department/group to be your 'champion'. They would help make sure everything gets turned in and completed. And be your cheerleader among their peers
• Everyone in company benefits from some company activities, yet each department/group has the flexibility to run their own 'campaign' that is tailored to their employees
• Retirees are included in the solicitation (solicited via a letter from their local president)

Campaign theme

• Consider coordinating your theme with United Way of Washington County. But don't be afraid to have a company theme for the campaign – events, activities and communications can be focused around this theme to create a consistent message and "feel."
• Are you able to use inter-office technology to promote your campaign? An ad on an inter-office website or perhaps a pop up screen talking about the campaign?

Kickoffs

Make the beginning of your campaign an event! Here are some ideas on how to do that:

• food/treats always a plus
• do a skit (to deliver United Way messages)
• hold raffles
• give door prizes
• have employees give testimonials
• have the boss give remarks
• invite United Way speakers
• show a video
• pass out the pledge cards
• give prizes for those who turn in the pledge cards before they leave the meeting

Sharing Results

• It's important to share the final results of the campaign with employees and recognize their role in the success of your campaign. Place a sign or banner in a heavily traveled area, say "thanks" via e-mail, put a note in with the weekly paychecks, post a note on bulletin boards, etc.
• Some departments put out quick little "newsletters" to keep their groups informed of their progress, to tell neat stories and announce cool stuff being done. Running a campaign can be a great team-building experience.

Thank You

• Recognition is important. So is saying "THANK YOU" – often. Personally thank donors. Send a short hand-written thank you if your list is not too long. The more personalized the correspondence, the better it will be received. Also remember the way in which a letter or note is distributed can be as important as its contents – try to deliver it personally if you can.
• Consider rewarding employees for participation in the campaign with fun prizes from your company.
• Lunch with the boss (paid for by the boss!), park in the President's parking spot for a day, free pass to skip a meeting, personal delivery of your mail for a week, free coffee for a week, free company pencil/coffee mug, etc.
• Consider having a "thank you" event – nothing big or fancy. Just an event to celebrate the end of a successful campaign.

Have a creative way you fundraise for United Way?
Please share your ideas on our Blog and click here to e-mail us photos to be put on the Photo Gallery!