Running a United Way campaign is a good for you, good for your company, and good for central Iowa. Your role is an important piece of the puzzle! 

If you are leading a campaign at your workplace, supporting a campaign committee, or curious about what a campaign involves, the best place to start is by contacting your company's United Way Staff Member. They will share best practices, materials, ideas, and more. If you don't know your United Way Staff Member, call us at (515) 246-6500 or email contactus@unitedwaydm.org.

START HERE:
Engaging Employees Through Your United Way Campaign

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We have compiled a guide of best practices, tips and tricks, and sample timelines and messages to help make your campaign a success.

Download the PDF

QUICK LINKS

Find links to the most commonly accessed items from our Campaign Toolkit.

Quick Links

TOOLKIT SECTIONS


CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT TOOLS

These tools and resources are valuable in helping you build and plan your United Way campaign.

Every organization's campaign is unique, but this sample timeline will help your campaign team as they think through the steps and timing of running a successful United Way campaign.

Sample Campaign Timeline

Campaign Committee Timeline - Template

Campaign Committee Leads - Template

This sample agenda covers a 15-20 minute United Way campaign kickoff event. Adjust in any way that best fits your timeframe and campaign goals.

Sample Kickoff Agenda


 

Themes, incentives, and special events help create excitement and energy for the campaign and are used to drive results. Finding a good way to connect campaign fun with the United Way mission ensures a well-rounded experience.

Themes, Incentives, & Special Events


 

Campaign Connect, an event for campaign managers to come together to learn about the United Way campaign process, was held on July 13 (in person) and 14 (virtual). The slides from the event can be found by following the link below:

Download PDF of Slides

 

A virtual session on eWay, United Way of Central Iowa's online giving platform, was presented on July 12. Click below to view that recording:

eWay - Campaign Connect

Download eWay Employee File Fields form (Excel)

Please find some examples of how other companies run their workplace campaigns by following the buttons below: 

Athene


ENGAGING EMPLOYEES IN YOUR CAMPAIGN

One way to help your employees get engaged in your United Way campaign is to help them find volunteer opportunities.

Find great ways for people to donate their time virtually or in person, and individually or as a group.

Volunteer Opportunities


 

Themes, incentives, and special events help create excitement and energy for the campaign and are used to drive results. Finding a good way to connect campaign fun with the United Way mission ensures a well-rounded experience.

Themes, Incentives, & Special Events


 

If you are planning a special event that will ask employees to make small donations (bake sales, special contests, etc.) in addition to their United Way pledge, we may be able to create a special landing page for your event with a donation form. Contact your United Way staff member for more information. 

Sample Custom Fundraising Page

Simulations are designed to help people better understand themselves and our community, as well as the various challenges and issues people face.

Simulations & Activities



LEADERSHIP EVENTS & AFFINITY GROUPS

ELI Logo

The Education Leadership Initiative (ELI) is an affinity group of central Iowans who give at a leadership level ($1,000 or more) and lead the fight for the success of middle school and high school students.

Education Leadership Initiative (ELI)


 

LEAD UNITED - yellow

Donors who give $1,000 or more are automatically members of LEAD UNITED, a group of some of our most generous philanthropists who are also often leaders within your organization.

LEAD UNITED


 

LINC_4C_NoTag

LINC is United Way's fast-growing affinity group for young professionals. Donor must give $250 or more, and as a member have access to special volunteer, social, and professional development opportunities throughout the year.

LINC


 

Tocqueville_Fleur_de_Lis

The Tocqueville Society is an affinity group of our most generous donors in central Iowa who give $10,000 or more.

Tocqueville Society


 

United LEAGUE Logo Color 1625x735

Members of United LEAGUE  are of African-American descent, identify as Black, or they are allies... those who are passionate about supporting issues and programs aiming to close the gap and allow every central Iowan in every community within our region to thrive. 

United LEAGUE


 

Women United - Red

Women United is an affinity group of central Iowa women who give at a leadership level ($1,000 or more) and lead the fight for children in central Iowa who face difficult barriers in the areas of education, income, and health.

Women United

 

 

 


COMMUNICATIONS & PROMOTION MATERIALS

The following tools are available for you to use, paraphrase, or repurpose to help promote your United Way campaign.

The following documents can be used to help you create messages for your United Way campaign. Click on the buttons below for letter and email templates in Word document form. 

  • Donation Request to Vendors Message
  • CEO Campaign Kickoff Message
  • Campaign Preview Message
  • General Message to Employees
  • Letter to Retirees
  • Email-A-Day Message Series
  • Last Call Reminder Message
  • LEAD UNITED Event Invitation
  • Donor Thank You Message
  • Campaign Team Thank You

Social Media Guide

Browse this guide to enhance your campaign through social media, or on internal communications tools.
Social Media Guide for Your United Way Campaign


Stories in an Image

Use these images for social media or Intranet posts. They can also be easily included in emails, newsletters, slideshows, and more. Each one has two images, one sized for Facebook and one for  Instagram, and  a Word Doc if you also want to use the text.
Stories In An Image


Infographics

Conveniently broken up into smaller pieces, these infographic chunks are perfect for social media or intranet posts. But they can also be used in emails, newsletters, or flyers.

Infographics


 

 

A collection of various materials that you may use to promote your United Way campaign with others. From brochures to posters and flyers and more.

Brochures & Collateral


 

Several videos are available for you to use during campaign events, to share via email or social media, or to play during your campaign on monitors around your workplace. Visit the Campaign Videos page on our toolkit to find a variety of content.

Campaign Videos


 

Share real stories of people right here in central Iowa whose lives have been impacted by the programs our donors help to fund.

Stories of Success Blog

Stories of Success Videos


 

Download a PDF of four different 11" x 17" posters that you can print yourself, or contact your United Way representative for printed copies.

 Campaign Posters


 

Photos & Images

Visit our FLICKR.com album to find a variety of photos and images that you may use in your campaign materials and communications. All images are approved for reuse, and subjects have signed appropriate releases.

United Way Photos


Logos & Colors

Download various treatments of the United Way of Central Iowa's logo in a variety of graphic formats, as well as official United Way colors and our brand use guidelines. If you have questions about use, placement, or versions, please contact your United Way Staff Person.

Logos & Color Palette


 

Order directly from the United Way store to get LIVE UNITED t-shirts, signs, balloons, bags and hats, decorations, and more. If you prefer to work directly through United Way of Central Iowa, please contact your United Way Staff Person.

Visit UnitedWayStore.org


 

If you're hosting a virtual meeting or campaign event, here are some background options for you from United Way. Some virtual meeting platforms, like Zoom, will reverse your background images. Please download and test the backgrounds in advance to see which will work best for your meeting or event.

United Way Background

United Way Reversed Background

ELI Meeting Background

ELI Reversed Background

Women United Meeting Background

Women United Reversed Background


YOUR DONOR ENGAGEMENT TEAM

The United Way Donor Engagement team is here to support you, whatever your needs. Below you'll find contact information for our staff. Not sure who your contact might be? Call us at (515) 246-6500 or email contactus@unitedwaydm.org and we'll connect you to the right person. 

Allie Campbell headshot

Allie Campbell

Corporate Engagement Manager

allie.campbell@unitedwaydm.org   

Misty LE

Misty Gleason

Loaned Executive

misty.gleason@unitedwaydm.org   

Skye Lawson 2023

Skye Lawson

Corporate Engagement Manager

skye.lawson@unitedwaydm.org   (515) 246-2516

Jamie LE

Jamie Peterson

Loaned Executive

jamie.peterson@unitedwaydm.org   

Kelly Sparks

Kelly Sparks

Tocqueville Society Director

kelly.sparks@unitedwaydm.org   (515) 246-2510

Chase Young_CircleTreatment

Chase Young

Individual Engagement Officer & Education Leadership Initiative Director

chase.young@unitedwaydm.org  (515) 246-6504

Kristin Young

Kristin Young

Corporate Engagement Officer

kristin.young@unitedwaydm.org   (515) 246-6503

Mikala

Mikala Williams-Yee

Corporate Engagement Manager

mikala.williams-yee@unitedwaydm.org   (515) 246-6540