How to Run a United Way Campaign in your workplace

Timeline/responsibilities:

• Communicate with your UWGCR staff person to decide the best timing for your campaign
• Determine official campaign start and end date
• Decide on the community building activities you would like to have during the campaign (if any)
• Prepare for important pieces such as if there will be a letter from the CEO, staff presentations, and fun incentives to thank employees for participating.
• Provide your UWGCR staff person with information to print personalized pledge cards (if applicable).
• Make your gift first. Before asking others to give, please fill out your own pledge card.
• Distribute pledge cards and UWGCR brochures to all employees.
• Hold an employee meeting for everyone in your company.
• Promote the meeting, providing incentives for attendance if applicable.
  • Invite your UWGCR staff person to speak, and/or show the campaign PowerPoint or video.
  • Ask everyone to give; if possible, ask a company leader to speak.
  • Thank everyone for attending.
  • Follow-up with anyone who missed the meeting.
  • Collect all pledge cards, cash and checks. Review the pledge cards to insure they are signed, and that the total gift amount is clear and accurate. Also be sure that all cash and checks are included with the appropriate pledge cards.
• Enclose all pledge cards and donations in a reporting envelope, entering totals on the front of the envelope and
  signing your name across the back flap.
• Contact your UWGCR staff person to arrange pickup of the envelope.
• Distribute thank you postcards to donors, provided by UWGCR.
  

Campaign Ideas

Themes – Themes help create excitement and energy for the campaign.  Themes are often related to your organization or pop culture and may incorporate the new United Way theme of “Living United”.

• Carnival
• Hollywood
• Hawaiian/Tropical
• Reality TV
• Game Shows
• Sports/Olympics (see an example, from Momentive Performance Materials)
• Food-related events such as a chili cookoff (see an example, from New York State United Teachers)

Fun Raisers” – Fun Raisers can be used to raise awareness of the campaign and are held as kick-off or wrap-up events.  If your “Fun Raiser” is intended to solicit contributions, make sure to hold the event after your payroll pledge drive.

•    Baby Picture Match Game
•    Bake Sale
•    Dunk the Executive
•    Ice Cream Social
•    Managers Serve Breakfast/Lunch
•    Office Golf
•    Parking Lot Picnic

Incentives – Many organizations provide incentives tied to their campaign goals; e.g. recognizing employees that increase their contribution by $1 per pay period.  Don’t worry if you do not have a big budget for incentives.  There are many free incentives you can offer to employees for participating in the Campaign.

•    Extra Personal Day
•    Chair Massages
•    “United Way” Parking Spots
•    Organization Logo Items
•    Golf
•    Restaurant Gift Certificate
•    Oil Change/Gas Card
•    Gifts from Vendors or Suppliers
•    Jeans/Casual Day Passes
•    Retail Gift Cards or Movie Passes
•    Tickets to Capital Region Events
•    Weekend at Vacation Home/Unused Time Shares
•    Sleep-in-on-your-Birthday Pass