ABOUT WORKPLACE GIVING
United Way is extremely grateful to count more than 400 organizations across Greater Cincinnati as proud supporters of our work. Whether it’s through employee giving campaigns, corporate donations, matching programs, grantmaking, sponsorship or volunteerism, these organizations make our community stronger and create a lasting impact.
Employee Campaigns
When workers are able to improve their community by donating, volunteering or advocating, it adds value to employee satisfaction. Studies show employees who feel connected to their community are healthier, happier and more productive.
United Way campaigns unite employees across your footprint, giving them an opportunity to come together to help build a community all families can be proud to call home.
Get Your Workplace Involved
Contact us for workplace engagement opportunities tailored to your organization's goals.
Workplaces That Care
Workplaces That Care highlights United Way’s Top 25 and Tremendous 25 corporate campaigns in addition to New Businesses that recently joined us in our mission to build a thriving community for all.
Fundraising Pro Tips
One-Week Campaign Timeline Example
Campaign timelines can vary depending on the size of your organization and culture. Corporate best practices recommend a one-week minimum.
Get Company Leadership Buy-In
Getting company leadership buy-in is important when launching a UW Campaign. Leadership can influence the campaign and set an example for others to follow. Securing gifts early from the leadership team and/or a corporate donation can help show employees how strongly the organization supports the campaign.
Pro Tip: Identify someone on your leadership team who is willing to share the reason why they support United Way (examples: a time they volunteered and learned something new; met someone who made a meaningful impact; share a personal story of a time when they needed and received help).
Build & Inspire Your Team
Recruit motivated Engagement Leaders/Campaign Champions who are vocal natural leaders and can also mobilize others to get involved. Engagement Leaders are key in sharing the impact of donations to UWGC and promoting your campaign goals, activities and incentives.
Pro Tip: Don’t do all the work alone! Try having a colleague shadow and support the Engagement Leader -- that way, if the current Engagement Leader rotates off you have someone ready to hit the ground running!
Engagement Leader: Volunteer assigned by the company to lead the fundraising campaign for UW.
United Way & Company Planning
Make certain to begin planning your campaign at least six weeks ahead of time for a flawless execution. Schedule a meeting with the UW campaign team, we will help you brainstorm and plan a successful campaign.
Pro Tip: Attend a Campaign Jumpstart! UW data shows that companies who attend UW’s Campaign Jumpstart and utilize the resources and experiences designed to increase engagement and awareness have higher performing campaigns.
Campaign Jumpstart: UW’s Fundraising volunteer training session that covers best practices, messaging, toolkit and campaign assets.
Plan Launch & Campaign Execution
Once you have finalized your campaign details and plan, it’s almost time for launch and execution! First step - send your campaign launch email to everyone in your organization. Secondly, dive into kickoffs and volunteer events aimed to bring awareness, engagement and, ultimately, giving.
Pro Tip: UW has a robust Campaign Toolkit available with campaign recipes that are easy to follow and execute.
Plan Wrap-Up, “Thank You!” & Submit Results
Plan your virtual or in-person wrap-up event that will showcase your company’s campaign achievements (financial, participation and volunteer goals). Remember to recognize key supporters and thank volunteers.
Pro Tip: If you hold a raffle or auction, this is a great time to share results with your team! UW has special fundraising tools to help you collect and automate drawings for your special event funds! Also, make it personal. Share how inspired you have been - every single day of leading your campaign - by the employees’ participation and their commitment to the community!
Get Company Leadership Buy-In
Getting company leadership buy-in is important when launching a UW Campaign. Leadership can influence the campaign and set an example for others to follow. Securing gifts early from the leadership team and/or a corporate donation can help show employees how strongly the organization supports the campaign.
Pro Tip: Identify someone on your leadership team who is willing to share the reason why they support United Way (examples: a time they volunteered and learned something new; met someone who made a meaningful impact; share a personal story of a time when they needed and received help).
Build & Inspire Your Team
Recruit motivated Engagement Leaders/Campaign Champions who are vocal natural leaders and can also mobilize others to get involved. Engagement Leaders are key in sharing the impact of donations to UWGC and promoting your campaign goals, activities and incentives.
Pro Tip: Don’t do all the work alone! Try having a colleague shadow and support the Engagement Leader -- that way, if the current Engagement Leader rotates off you have someone ready to hit the ground running!
Engagement Leader: Volunteer assigned by the company to lead the fundraising campaign for UW.
United Way & Company Planning
Make certain to begin planning your campaign at least six weeks ahead of time for a flawless execution. Schedule a meeting with the UW campaign team, we will help you brainstorm and plan a successful campaign.
Pro Tip: Attend a Campaign Jumpstart! UW data shows that companies who attend UW’s Campaign Jumpstart and utilize the resources and experiences designed to increase engagement and awareness have higher performing campaigns.
Campaign Jumpstart: UW’s Fundraising volunteer training session that covers best practices, messaging, toolkit and campaign assets.
Plan Launch & Campaign Execution
Once you have finalized your campaign details and plan, it’s almost time for launch and execution! First step - send your campaign launch email to everyone in your organization. Secondly, dive into kickoffs and volunteer events aimed to bring awareness, engagement and, ultimately, giving.
Pro Tip: UW has a robust Campaign Toolkit available with campaign recipes that are easy to follow and execute.
Plan Wrap-Up, “Thank You!” & Submit Results
Plan your virtual or in-person wrap-up event that will showcase your company’s campaign achievements (financial, participation and volunteer goals). Remember to recognize key supporters and thank volunteers.
Pro Tip: If you hold a raffle or auction, this is a great time to share results with your team! UW has special fundraising tools to help you collect and automate drawings for your special event funds! Also, make it personal. Share how inspired you have been - every single day of leading your campaign - by the employees’ participation and their commitment to the community!
Week
Host a Leadership Kickoff
Leadership kickoffs are critical for campaign success. Your employees want to see their leaders “talking the talk and walking the walk.” This is an opportunity for your senior management to bring awareness and engagement towards United Way’s work and share why your company is committed to the community’s well-being.
Pro Tip: A best practice is for companies to host a leadership kickoff or a volunteer opportunity as the first campaign event. Including a UW speaker or panel will ensure sharing how we transform our donors’ generosity into solutions and services that help families on their path towards economic well-being.
Campaign Launch Email with Participation Incentives
A key ingredient to getting people involved in your UW campaign is appealing to both the rational and emotional sides of the brain. The UW Campaign Toolkit includes marketing materials that will help you strike the winning balance to meeting your fundraising goals.
Pro Tip: Motivate your employees by including a corporate match, early bird drawings or leadership giving incentives to encourage donations.
Week
Host a Virtual All-Team Kickoff
Hosting a virtual or in-person all-team kickoff is a great way to be inclusive of all employees. Campaigns with kickoff events have proven to raise more dollars in support of the community. Don’t forget to have your CEO or a senior leader present at the kickoff to endorse the campaign, as well as the UW CEO or a specialized speaker. Remember to always have a call-to-action with instructions on how to donate and participate in the upcoming campaign events.
Pro Tip: UW data shows that virtual kickoffs get more participation, as it is easier for all employees to join and be present, regardless of location or position. If you are considering a hybrid campaign, we recommend choosing a virtual all-team kickoff.
Launch a Digital or In-Person Fundraising Event
Special fundraising events such as raffles, auctions, trivia or happy hours add excitement to your campaign! UW uses a digital platform that has proven to increase engagement for both virtual and in-person special events.
Pro Tip: Not everyone will donate through payroll deduction - some will only give to win or participate in an activity. Ensuring a good mix of special fundraising activities throughout your campaign will give everyone an opportunity to support their community.
Campaign Reminder Email #1
Use campaign reminder emails to keep the campaign a top priority for your employees and to share information on how United Way’s work is positively impacting the place where we all live, work, play and learn.
Pro Tip: When sharing your current campaign progress, think about including a link to a video with a UW impact story. This will help demonstrate how each contribution translates into neighbors being helped, while also recognizing and thanking those who have already donated.
Week
Host a United Way Impact Experience
UW Impact Experiences are gamified activities which give a first-hand look at the systems in place that are barriers to keeping our community from achieving economic well-being.
Pro Tip: UW data shows that Impact Experiences increase average giving by 12% and new donor numbers by 10%. Our Campaign Toolkit offers in-person and online Impact Experiences that are easily added to your campaign plan.
Week
Host a UW Volunteer Event
Hosting a UW volunteer event that aligns with your company’s values is a great way to not only immerse your employees in the work that we do to help our community thrive, but also get them out into the community! Today, as people are longing to come back together, volunteering is a rewarding team building and bonding activity.
Pro Tip: UW’s Campaign Toolkit offers a menu of volunteer opportunities that help connect your employees with different areas of UW’s impact work.
Campaign Reminder Email #2
Use campaign reminder emails to keep the campaign a top priority for your employees and to share information on how United Way’s work is positively impacting the place where we all live, work, play and learn.
Pro Tip: When sharing your current campaign progress, think about including a link to a UW self-served Impact Experience to continue educating our employees about obstacles that our neighbors face in reaching economic well-being.
Week
Wrap-Up & "Thank You"
Execute your virtual or in-person wrap-up event that showcases your company’s campaign achievements (financial, participation and volunteer goals). Also recognize key supporters and thank volunteers.
Finale & Thank You Email
Send a thank you email to your employees, recognizing them for their generosity and engagement during the campaign and emphasizing the impact that their gifts will have on our community.
Pro Tip: Invite your employees to visit uwgc.org and continue learning about impact of their generosity.
Top 10 Workplaces That Care
