workplace campaigns

Hundreds of workplaces in Guelph & Wellington support the United Way each year, representing 66% of the over $2.56 million raised for the community. Partnering with United Way, organizations give their employees the opportunity to create lasting change in the community. What's more, United Way staff help to make running a workplace campaign a fun and team-building experience.

How Your Company Can Get Involved
Most organizations support the United Way in one or more of the following ways:

Corporate Gift
A gift to the United Way shows your employees, stakeholders and the public your commitment to the community. Your effort to match employee contributions creates double the impact and provides an extra incentive for employees to participate.

Employee Campaign
Staff and volunteers from the United Way will work closely with your team to create a tailored campaign that meets your specific needs. Orientation sessions and a number of tools are available at no cost to your organization to help your campaign succeed.

Loaned Representative Program
Each year, community-minded organizations loan their employees to the United Way for 14 weeks. Loaned representatives are an integral part of workplace campaigns and have an opportunity to profile their organizations in the community.

Steps to a Successful Campaign
It is our goal to ensure that you have all of the tools you need to plan and implement the most effective campaign possible.

Your Six Steps to Success include: Learn About the United Way and Build Your Team; Develop an Action Plan; Get Ready; Kick-off and Canvass; Special Events; and Wrap Up, Recognition and Evaluation.

1. Learn About the United Way and Build Your Team

Attend a Campaign Training Session
Visit a United Way Funded Agency
Meet with your United Way staff partner or Loaned Representative
Ensure management provides visible support of the campaign along with adequate release time for volunteers
Recruit others in your organization to provide any help you may need
Have fun!

2. Develop an Action Plan

Review past campaign results, and list strengths and weaknesses
Meet with last year’s Employee Campaign Coordinator or anyone else involved in your campaign and brainstorm how this year’s campaign can be even better
Develop an action plan and timetable – put it on paper
Create a short-term, goal-orientated campaign – a two-week timeline is ideal
Identify those who did not donate last year – develop a “welcome wagon” for new donors
Ask your Loaned Representative or United Way partner to help put your plan in place

3. Get Ready

Order supplies – basic supplies are provided by the United Way at no cost
Request agency speakers
Personalize the pledge cards for your workplace
Promote your campaign in advance – display posters, advertise campaign dates and events
Train canvassers with the help of United Way staff or a Loaned Representative

4. Kick-off and Canvass

Mark the beginning of your campaign with a kick-off – this may be a Company picnic or barbecue with prize incentives
Make sure your kick-off involves all employees and is well publicized
Canvass all employees – a one-to-one ask is the most effective approach
Arrange a group canvass where co-workers are introduced to the United Way and pledge cards are distributed
Promote the payroll deduction option as the easiest, most convenient way to give
Ensure the Leadership Giving Program is in place to canvass senior management, interested employees and other past/potential Leadership Donors
Monitor the progress of your campaign to ensure that pledges are being returned
Request that all employees return their pledge cards whether or not they decide to donate

5. Special Events

Hold special events when the payroll campaign is complete
Promote your event within the workplace – make sure everyone knows what the event is and where it is being held
Call the local media to cover your special events

6. Wrap Up, Recognition and Evaluation

Signal your campaign wrap-up – it should indicate the end of your campaign, celebrate your achievement and create opportunities to thank and recognize your donors and volunteers
Report your results and submit your donations to United Way staff by November 30
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your campaign
Attend the United Way campaign closing event

back to Step 1

For more tips about how to run a campaign, download the United Way of Guelph & Wellington’s Employee Campaign Coordinator’s Guide, or call 519-821-0571.