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Workplace Campaign Toolkit

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 more than 1 million people each year across our region. Here, we’ll provide materials to help you feel comfortable and confident leading a successful workplace campaign.

Whether you are leading your first workplace campaign or you are a veteran United Way champion, the tabs below contain 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.
  • 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.
  • Impact of Your Dollar.
    Learn about how your monthly donations translate into tangible benefits for people who need your assistance.

Step two: Leadership groups.

Now 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 1,500 women leaders and allies in a spirit of professional and personal collaboration for change. Learn more about our powerful network.
  • Next Gen Fact Sheet.
    Learn more about our Next Gen Ambassadors Circle and how you can engage your employees aged 35 and under and their allies 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.

  • Campaign Posters.
    Download posters to hang in your common areas to remind employees that the campaign is starting soon. Or email them to engage your colleagues.
  • Impact Poster.
    Download this poster to show the impact of donations.

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.

 

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.

  • United is the Way: A Chorus of Voices.
    United is the Way to create a thriving community, where everyone does their part by donating and volunteering to meet basic needs, move people to financial stability and build for success in school and life. If you’ve wondered: do you know someone with the know-how and the connections to help our neighbors succeed and fulfill their potential? The answer is: Yes, you do.
  • PA 211 Southwest: It worked out wonderfully.
    There is power in human connection, in listening and then stepping up with solutions especially when an individual is facing a difficult situation. PA 211 Southwest connects people every day by text, talk and chat to resources in their community.
  • What a world: Women reach out to 211 for assistance.
    In 2024-2025, PA 211 Southwest received nearly 507,000 contacts. Seventy percent of these contacts came from women: older women who don’t have heat in their homes, women who have run short on rent money and moms who are facing homelessness after leaving difficult marriages behind. When there’s nowhere else to turn, we can all turn to 211 for referrals to human services agencies that are on standby to assist.
  • 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.

You can find additional videos in our Video Gallery and on our YouTube channel.

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.

Step six: Looking for something else?

 

Still have questions?

Our caring and competent Donor Relations team is on standby to help you every step of your campaign. Reach out to us anytime and we’ll help you run a successful campaign.

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