CAMPAIGN TOOLKIT

Running a United Way campaign is 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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

Download eWay Employee File Fields form (Excel)

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

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.

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.

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

LEADERSHIP EVENTS & AFFINITY GROUPS

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

COMMUNICATIONS & PROMOTION MATERIALS

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Download a PDF of four different 11" x 17" posters that you can print 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 & 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.

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.

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.