Campaign Toolkit

Campaign Overview

  • Mission: United Way of Western Crawford County connects resources to improve lives by supporting local nonprofit programs in four broad impact categories: youth opportunity, healthy community, financial security, and community resiliency.
  • Workplace Campaign Goal: Encourage businesses and employees to contribute through workplace giving, events, and volunteerism to strengthen the local community.
  • Why It Matters: 100% of funds raised stay in Western Crawford County, directly supporting local nonprofits.

Employer Role in the Campaign

Employers are key partners in encouraging participation. By creating a culture of giving and providing opportunities, businesses help maximize community impact.

Ways Employers Can Support:

  • Appoint a Campaign Champion/Coordinator
  • Share United Way stories through staff meetings, newsletters, or bulletin boards
  • Host kickoff events to build excitement
  • Recognize and celebrate employee contributions
 

Engagement Ideas for Employers

Workplace Giving

  • Payroll Deduction: Make giving simple through automatic paycheck contributions.
  • Corporate Match: Match employee donations to double the impact.
  • Leadership Giving Clubs: Recognize employees who give at higher levels.

Incentives & Recognition

  • Prize Drawings: Offer gift cards, an extra vacation day, or lunch with leadership.
  • “Jeans Days” or “Casual Fridays” for those who donate.
  • Parking Spot Perks for top contributors.
  • Recognition Wall/Newsletter Shoutouts highlighting employee donors.

Team-Building Events

  • Themed Fundraising Days: Bake sales, chili cook-offs, trivia nights.
  • Office Competitions: Departmental giving challenges with fun rewards.
  • Silent Auctions/Raffles with donated items from local businesses.
  • Sports/Game Day Spirit: Employees donate to wear team jerseys.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Day of Caring: Organize teams to volunteer at local nonprofits.
  • Skill-Based Volunteering: Employees use professional skills to help agencies.
  • Family-Friendly Volunteer Projects like food drives, coat collections, or holiday toy donations.

Education & Awareness

  • Impact Speakers: Invite nonprofit partners or clients to share success stories.
  • Agency Tours: Give employees a firsthand look at programs their donations support.
  • Impact Stories in Pay Envelopes/Email: Quick, meaningful reminders of why giving matters.
 

Campaign Resources Provided by UWWCC

  • Customizable Posters, Flyers, and Email Templates
  • Presentation Materials & Talking Points
  • Sample Social Media Posts
  • Progress Tracker to visualize campaign progress
  • United Way Staff Support for presentations, Q&A, and event planning
 

Campaign Timeline (Sample)

  1. Pre-Campaign (1–2 weeks before launch):
    • Recruit campaign committee, plan events, gather materials
  2. Kickoff Week:
    • Host a launch event, distribute pledge forms/links, share impact stories
  3. Engagement Weeks:
    • Run contests, volunteer days, and recognition events
  4. Wrap-Up & Celebration:
    • Announce total raised, thank employees, recognize donors and champions
 

Recognition & Appreciation

  • Thank-You Notes from Leadership
  • Certificates or Awards for Departments with high participation
  • Spotlight Stories of top contributors or creative fundraising ideas
 

Next Steps for Employers

  • Schedule a planning meeting with UWWCC staff
  • Select a campaign leader and timeline
  • Decide on fundraising events and incentives
  • Launch your campaign and celebrate every success!
Employer Checklist