Leading A Campaign?

The needs of our community don’t present themselves neatly on a calendar. A personal or family crisis can (and does) happen 365 days a year in any neighborhood. But we’ve found the most effective way to raise financial support – through concentrated, purposeful annual campaigns. With the help of local businesses and their employees, so many lives throughout the coming year will be impacted based on what we do together over a relatively short few weeks. Let’s start by getting you comfortable and conversant with how to lead a successful campaign.

Everything you need to run 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 link includes a short description of the resources. And don’t forget, your Corporate Relations Manager is also a great resource you can tap into if you have questions at any time.

STEP 1
PLANNING YOUR CAMPAIGN

Planning your campaign

creating a roadmap for success

Veteran EECs all agree: 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.
Campaign PowerPoint
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.
Campaign Thermometer
Keep track of your progress towards your fundraising goal with our downloadable campaign thermometer.
EEC Handbook
An instructive guide to running a successful campaign, now updated to address the realities of virtual workplace campaigning.
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
United Way Retiree Program Overview
Learn about the benefits of United Way’s Retiree Program with this short overview.
Volunteer Portfolio
Offer your employees hands-on opportunities to help people in need. United Way offers a portfolio of volunteer opportunities to keep your employees engaged all year long.
Volunteer With United Way
A short video showcasing the many benefits of volunteering through United Way.
WhatADollarBuys Leadership Level
WhatADollarBuys
Learn about how your donation translates into tangible outcomes for people in need.

Next Step

Step 2
LEADERSHIP GROUPS

LEADERSHIP GROUPS

Leading the way

This is the right time to approach leaders (and emerging leaders) with the possibility of joining a Leadership Group such as Bridges Society, Women’s Leadership Council or the prestigious Tocqueville Society. 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 can connect donors with other professionals in our area.
Next Gen Fact Sheet
Learn more about our Next Gen Ambassadors and engage your associates in the power of positive impact.
WLC Fact Sheet
Learn about the benefits of membership in United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council
Bridges Society Fact Sheet
Learn about the benefits of United Way’s Bridges Society for emerging leaders 45 and younger.

pREV STEP Next Step

Step 3
GEARING UP

GEARING UP FOR THE CAMPAIGN

BUILDING EXCITEMENT TO DRIVE SUCCESS

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.

- - EEC Messaging Guide
    These important and effective messaging points can be used to guide your communications with associates and help you lead a successful workplace campaign.
  - A Letter from United Way’s CEO
    Use this letter to send to your employees on behalf of our CEO to get them excited about your 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
    This informative overview of our efforts provides a simple-to-understand but impactful summary of how your donations work hard in our community.
  - Pledge Forms and Agency Code Books
  - Print Pledge Form (.pdf)
  - Auto-Fillable Pledge Form (.pdf)
- - Agency Code Book: Regional by city/state (.pdf)
  - Agency Code Book: Regional alphabetical (.pdf)
pREV STEP Next Step

Step 4
CAMPAIGN KICK OFF

CAMPAIGN KICK OFF

Get off to a strong start.

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
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.
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.
- Young Black Motivated Kings and Queens
  Learn more about our partner, Young Black Motivated Kings and Queens (YBMKQ). YBMKQ is a youth organization in the greater Pittsburgh area – inspiring youth to embrace their true excellence while unleashing their inner potential.
- Macedonia Family and Community Enrichment Center Inc.
  Learn more about our partner, Macedonia Family and Community Enrichment (FACE) Center Inc. Macedonia FACE is a community-based social service organization.
- New Century Careers
  Learn more about our partner, New Century Careers. New Century Careers is a nonprofit manufacturer and technical skills development organization serving the Southwestern PA community through inclusive access to technical training opportunities while helping employers find and develop technicians seeking purpose, passion and success in the workplace.
- Community Kitchen
- Homewood Children’s Village
- AgeWell
- New Century Careers
- Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank
- Latino Community Center

pREV STEP Next Step

Step 5
CAMPAIGN WRAP-UP

Step 6
LOOKING FOR MORE?

United Way is looking for 211 Resource Navigators!

United Way is looking for 211 Resource Navigators!

Leading A Campaign?

Everything you need to run a successful campaign

Planning your campaign

creating a roadmap for success

LEADERSHIP GROUPS

Leading the way

GEARING UP FOR THE CAMPAIGN

BUILDING EXCITEMENT TO DRIVE SUCCESS

CAMPAIGN KICK OFF

Get off to a strong start.

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.

CAMPAIGN WRAP-UP

Thank you for thanking your team.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE?