Various ideas for campaign themes and fun activities associated with each.

In July we invited campaign managers to attend a series of virtual meetings to learn some of the fundamentals of running a United Way campaign. The following are recordings of those meeting sessions.

Nominate your organization for a LIVE UNITED Award, recognizing individuals and organizations who go above and beyond in supporting our community.

Several categories are available honoring giving, advocating, and volunteering for companies of all different sizes.

LIVE UNITED NOMINATION PAGE COMING SOON

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.

Many organizations provide incentives tied to their campaign goals. A large budget is not necessary for incentives: There are many free incentives you can offer to employees for participating in the campaign. These items can also be donated and used in silent auctions or raffles.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Special events can be used to raise awareness of the campaign and are held as kick-off or wrap-up events. 

Custom Fundraising Page

If you are planning a special event that will ask employees to make small donations in addition to their United Way pledge, we may be able to create a special landing page for your event with a donation form.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Throughout the campaign – and especially during kickoff and leadership events – it is important to highlight United Way’s impact in our local community through our partnerships with nonprofits across Central Iowa.

One great way to do this is to have a director of a local nonprofit program speak to your employees and share how important their donations are.

United Way of Central Iowa is excited to offer a new Emerge United Fund to our community. A donation to Emerge United is an investment in addressing systemic equity issues and supporting the emerging and rapidly changing needs of health and human services organizations, schools, job training programs, and – ultimately the individuals and families they serve – during and after the pandemic.

As the Emerge United funds address urgent and current needs, your contribution will be invested more rapidly than other designation options with no minimum and no administration fee. 

Learn more at EmergeUnited.org.

These simulations are designed to help others better understand the various challenges and issues people face in our community. They may be intended for individual participation, or for groups, and can be conducted online or in-person depending on the activities involved.

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

Take a virtual tour of some of the nonprofit agencies and programs that United Way funds with your donations.

Social Media Guide

Browse this guide to enhance your campaign through social media, or on internal communications tools.

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.

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.

Dozens of 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.

Click the image to view more than 40 blogs and stories you may use on your organization's intranet, social media pages, email newsletters, or wherever you choose. If using in social media, don't forget to tag @UnitedWayCI and include #LiveUnitedDSM.

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.

Download and print these 11" x 17" posters yourself, or contact your United Way representative for printed copies.

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.

Logos & Resources

Download various treatments of the United Way of Central Iowa's logo in a variety of graphic formats, as well as brand guidelines. If you have questions about use, placement, or versions, please contact your Corporate Engagement Manager.

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 Corporate Engagement Manager.

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.