Useful Training Tips for
Employee Campaign Managers


Best Practice Examples

• Get the commitment of CEO and the management team to give at leadership level before the campaign begins.  The money raised will be announced at Kick-off to boost morale.  Send a CEO endorsed letter to all employees announcing the kick-off, goal, acknowledge funds raised at the leadership event, and publicize the corporate match or gift.
  
• Provide a Corporate Gift via the company or establish a Corporate Match  (25-100%) to stimulate employee giving and participation, and to demonstrate the company’s commitment to the community and the employees.
  
• Conduct a Leadership event, inviting all current leadership donors and prospects from the management team.  This meeting could include a speaker from United Way or an employee beneficiary.  Promote the impact made by investing in the United Way Impact Fund.
  
• Recruit well respected, organized and energetic staff to support and serve as the Employee Campaign Chair or on the campaign committee.  Recruit “campaign solicitors” with similar characteristics to provide direct, individualized interaction with employees.  Provide information training for these individuals on the      benefits of supporting the community via United Way.  Promote gifts via payroll deduction, which is the easiest and most convenient means to contribute. Gifts to United Way are tax deductible.
  
• Arrange tours or visits at the partner agencies, or invite in United Way staff or volunteers to provide accurate information about the impact of investing in the community through United Way.
  
• Use incentives such as days off or gift certificates to promote employee participation.  Use competitions between departments or divisions to challenge various groups and add “fun” to the effort.
  
• Thank and recognize employees for their commitment and generosity.
  

Best Practices for Leadership Campaigns

           1. Secure visible demonstration of CEO’s support.

2. Appoint a separate Leadership Giving Coordinator to organize company campaign.

3. Secure a list of employees earning $35,000+ and/or a list of managers to evaluate potential and create pledge cards.

4. Determine a Leadership Giving goal as a % of the company’s overall goal.

5. Run Leadership Giving campaign early.  Report results to employees and United Way early.

6. Organize an event (luncheon, breakfast, etc.) for all Leadership donor prospects.

7. Invite United Way speaker and/or agency representative to speak at the event.

8. Use personalized Leadership Giving pledge cards.

9. Invite the CEO to speak at the event, pass out pledge cards and make the ask.

10. Collect pledge cards before the attendees leave the event.

11. Conduct one-on-one follow up with all outstanding contributors.

12. Distribute membership pins to all Leadership giving members within two weeks of reporting the leadership results.

13. Thank contributors (some companies do by hosting a reception, displaying a membership plaque in the lobby, giving individual tokens, etc.).

14. Support continued Leadership giving with year round communications with donors.

Best Practices Checklist -- Have You Considered these Ideas?

__ CEO Commitment
            -Company Corporate Gift            
            -Personal Gift at Leadership Level
            -Encourage management team to make Leadership Gifts
            -Attend employee group meetings     
            -Send endorsement letter or e-mail to employees

___  Solicitation and Active Involvement of Management Team
            -Stage an event prior to campaign to promote leadership giving, such as a Leadership             Breakfast, during which the CEO makes a case for supporting United Way and also
            makes a specific ask.
            -Appoint a Leadership Giving chair separate from general campaign chair.

___  Campaign Committee
            -An inclusive group of respected individuals leaders in the organization on a working
            committee to support the campaign.

___ Solicitor’s Training
            -Educate and train solicitors to effectively answer questions, solicit and follow-up with
             peers.

___ Company Kick-off
            -Promote the beginning of the campaign to increase enthusiasm among employees.

___ Funded Program Tours
            -Give employees an opportunity to visit a funded program and see gifts at work in
              the community.

___ Employee Group Meetings
            -Twenty minutes of company time
            -Attendance of employees at all levels, on all shifts
            -Opportunity to hear UW speaker, video and ask questions
            -Pledge form is passed out and turned in

___ Promotion of Payroll Deduction/Guideline Giving
            -Easy and efficient.
            -Encourage employees to consider the suggested giving guide.

___ Incentive Programs
            -Raffles or prize drawings are often used to encourage participation and timely return of
             pledge forms. Raffles prizes include items solicited from vendors, days off, gift
             certificates paid for by management or the company itself, parking spaces, casual dress
             days.)
            -Encourage employees to participate in campaign.
            -Encourage increased levels of giving.
            -Promote Guideline Giving.

___ Collect All Pledge Forms
            -Timely collection during group meeting or day after.
            -Use solicitors to follow-up on outstanding cards.
            -Ensure everyone has been contacted and provided the opportunity to give.

___ Tight Campaign Schedule
            -Conduct campaign in two week timeframe to maintain momentum.

___ Thank you Program
            -Correspondence or event that recognizes and thanks all employees who contribute.

 

[Back to Top]