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Running a Successful Campaign
STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN
Develop a Plan
- Meet with your Account Executive or Loaned Executive to strategize and develop a plan for your
campaign. They will help you determine growth opportunities within your organization and best
practices for your campaign.
- Create a timetable for the campaign. For most organizations, two weeks is generally a
good time frame. This will allow for sufficient educational and fun activities without
employees growing tired of the campaign.
- Develop a plan for distributing pledge forms and other campaign materials.
Promote and Educate
• Plan a time when your Loaned Executive can meet your employees and educate them about
United Way. This does not have to be a separate United Way meeting. Allowing 7 to 12 minutes
at the beginning of an existing meeting is great!
• Feature information about the campaign in newsletters, on bulletin boards, in email and through
other venues in your organization.
• Organize some fun special events to motivate employees to make a pledge and raise awareness
about the United Way campaign.
Track and Report Campaign Results
• Collect all contribution forms. Check to see that donors have kept the bottom copy for
their records and that the forms are signed. Be sure credit card payments show an expiration date
and that the names of organization to receive designated funds are written in full (no
abbreviations).
• Separate forms by method of payment as they arrive (payroll deduction, cash/check, charge card).
• Report results regularly during the campaign so that employees can see campaign progress.
• Meet with your AccountExecutive/Loaned Executive to wrap up the campaign and turn in forms.
They will verify pledge amounts and help you fill out the campaign report sheet. Important: If
your organization’s campaign runs longer than two weeks, please schedule multiple pick-ups
with your Account Executive or Loaned Executive. This will ensure timely donor recognition for
your employees.
Thank Your Supporters
• Thank those who ran the campaign, who volunteered and who gave.
• Thank employees using letters from your CEO, newsletters, bulletin boards, pins or an event.
• Publicize final campaign results in newsletters, on posters and in prominent places where
employees will see them.
CHALLENGES TO A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN
These are some of the tough questions and comments you may encounter during the
campaign. The best way to deal with them is to be prepared. Don’t hesitate to call your
Loaned Executive if you need help. Any question is welcome!
1. I hate asking for money.
• The number one reason that people don’t
give is they are not asked.
• You are asking them to invest in their
community and strengthen the
community safety net for all of us.
• Give information.
• Share passion.
2. I don’t have a lot of money to give.
Why bother?
• Break a total gift down per pay period to
show how easy it is to give.
• Share with co-workers how every donation
counts and makes a difference.
3. This is going to be way too much
work for me alone.
Ask for help from:
• Management team and co-workers
• Loaned Executive
• UWPC Staff
4. What do they do with all the money?
• About 83% goes directly to programs at
local nonprofits or designated nonprofits.
• Creates positive outcomes for people
in need.
5. My boss can’t be bothered.
• Philanthropy is good for business, and
good for the spirit, thus leading to
increased productivity.
• United Way campaigns can unite
the organization.
6. You get me a raise, I’ll give
you some money.
• Donate the equivalent of one latte a day.
• Donate the equivalent of one lunch a week.
• Donate the equivalent of one movie per month.
7. I can’t coordinate a multi-site,
multi-shift campaign.
• Contact your Loaned Executive. Their job is to help and support you to reach all employees.
• Recruit coordinator team members from
the other locations and shifts.
8. Another year…another controversy.
• Be prepared with the facts.
• Get the real “truth” from your Loaned Executive.
• Direct designation is an option for those who
want their gifts to go to a specific orangization.
• Exclusion designation is an option for those
who do not want their gift to go to some organization.
9. I can’t possibly live up to last
year’s campaign.
• We live in a wonderful community that
understands the need to help. Much has
been accomplished, but there is still great need.
• Every campaign builds on the last. Make yours special!
10.What part of “NO” don’t you understand?
• Remember that your job is to give
information and share your passion.
• Don’t forget to ask for help when you need it.
• Understand that some co-workers cannot
or will not give.
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