One of the most effective ways to raise financial support is through concentrated, purposeful annual campaigns. With the help of local businesses and their employees, United Way is able to assist 1.35 million people each year across our region. Here we’ll provide materials to help you become comfortable and conversant with how to lead a successful campaign.
Whether you are leading your first workplace campaign, or you are a veteran United Way champion, the tabs below contain the latest tools, tips and resources to help run your campaign. We have organized the tools for every stage of your campaign in these easy-to-use tabs. Just click on the appropriate tab and you will find downloadable files including print materials, videos and more. Each includes a short description of the resources. And don’t forget, your United Way contact is always on standby to help.
Step one: Planning your campaign.
The key to a smooth, successful workplace campaign is planning. One of the first things you’ll want to do is select the right campaign team. Choose people who enjoy engaging with others and who you can count on to share the responsibilities. United Way has developed effective tools and resources to run your campaign and generate enthusiasm:
- Campaign Overview.
Share a high-level overview of the benefits of supporting United Way to change lives in our community. - Presentation Deck: introducing United Way Campaigns to your coworkers.
Tell the United Way story with this concise overview of the needs in our community and United Way’s role in addressing them. Easy to customize with your company’s goals. - Key Messages document.
New to United Way workplace campaigns? This document will help you and your team understand and talk about United Way’s mission and how we help our community thrive. - Talking about United Way
Want to go deeper? This presentation provides a deeper look into our work and how your contributions make a difference. - Special Events Catalog.
Add a little fun into your campaign with tried and true special event ideas you can use to get employees engaged during your campaign - Volunteer Toolkit.
Offer your employees hands-on opportunities to engage and give back. United Way offers a portfolio of volunteer opportunities to keep your employees get involved all year long. - Volunteer With United Way.
A short video showcasing the many benefits of volunteering through United Way. - What a Dollar Buys.
Learn about how your monthly donations translate into tangible benefits for people who need your assistance.
Step two: Leadership groups.
This is the right time to approach leaders (and emerging leaders) with the possibility of joining a Leadership Group such as Bridges Society or the prestigious Tocqueville Society. Donors at these levels may also wish to join our Women United donor group. Here are some resources that can keep the momentum going and maximize the campaign’s impact.
- Leadership Groups Overview:.
Learn more about United Way‘s unique and rewarding opportunities for leadership giving that make a difference and connect donors with other professionals. - Bridges Society Fact Sheet.
Learn about the benefits of United Way’s Bridges Society, our most diverse group of leadership donors. - Women United Fact Sheet.
Women United unites more than 2,200 women leaders in a spirit of professional and personal collaboration for change. Learn more about our powerful network. - Women United Brochure.
Learn more about how United Way’s Women United works to improve lives for women and children in our region. - Next Gen Fact Sheet.
Learn more about our Next Gen Ambassadors Circle and how you can engage your employees age 35 and under in giving back.
Step three: Gearing up.
It’s almost time to kick off your campaign. Below are tools you can use to help build excitement and inspire people to begin thinking about how they want to get involved in improving the community. We recommend utilizing these one week prior to your kick-off date.
- Messaging Handout.
These important and effective messaging points can be used to guide your communications with associates and help you lead a successful workplace campaign. - Social Media Toolkit.
Use our guidelines, hashtags and proposed content. Engage your employees and highlight your company’s commitment to the community via social media. - Campaign Posters.
Download posters to hang in your common areas to remind employees that the campaign is starting soon. Or send them via email to engage your colleagues. - Impact Poster
Pledge Forms and Agency Code Books
Print or email one of the pledge forms below for your county and distribute it to your company. If you would like to donate to a specific agency, please view and use the agency codebooks for your county below. If you don’t see the pledge form or code book you are looking for, please contact your corporate relations manager.
- Pledge forms
- Code Books
- Agency code book: Regional by city/state.
- Agency code book: Regional alphabetical.
Step four: Campaign kick off.
The time has come to kick off your campaign. To achieve the greatest success, we have assembled a variety of materials that will inspire, educate and give your employees the tools they need to seamlessly pledge their donation.
- ChangeMakers Unite Video.
Rally your employees and set the tone with a kick off video explaining the great importance United Way plays in today’s challenging times. - United Way’s PA 211 Southwest video.
PA 211 Southwest is part of the national 211 Call Centers initiative that seeks to provide an easy-to-remember telephone number, chat, text, and a web resource for finding health and human services– for everyday needs and in crisis situations. - Voices of Veterans video: PA 211 Southwest answers the call in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Southwestern Pennsylvania is home to 150,000 veterans. United Way’s PA 211 Southwest help center frequently hears from veterans in need of housing assistance, utility relief and more. In this video, you’ll hear the voices of real veterans who have reached out to 211 for help. - Video Message from United Way’s CEO.
A short, personal video message to your employees from United Way’s CEO Bobbi Watt Geer.
Agency Partner Videos
Show employees how their donations impact people served by our agency partners. We suggest selecting a partner agency that can generate the most interest and relevance for your company.
- Video: The Value of United Way Partnership.
At United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the agencies we fund are our partners in meeting basic needs, moving to financial stability and building for success in school and in life. Grants from our Impact Fund are made possible by our generous donors and supported by thousands of United Way volunteers. Learn more and donate at unitedwayswpa.org.
Step five: Campaign wrap-up.
Showing sincere appreciation is not only the right thing to do but also leads to future engagement. We’ve put together messaging tools to celebrate a successful campaign and encourage continued involvement in United Way and our community.
- Campaign wrap-up email templates:
Step six: Looking for something else?
- How we invest in a brighter future for our community.
Learn more about our investment priorities and how they translate into support for partner agencies changing lives in our region. - United Way Life™.
Information on how to make United Way your life insurance beneficiary, creating impact for decards. - United Way Sponsorships.
Corporate sponsorships are an excellent way for your company to demonstrate your connection to this community and your commitment to making the region a better place for your employees, customers and all those who live here.