Special events can be used to raise awareness of the campaign and are held as kick-off or wrap-up events. Since these funds come to United Way of Central Iowa anonymously, we cannot recognize individuals or provide tax receipts for special event dollars. Consider holding one or more of the following:

  • Jeans Day – “sell” jeans day coupons for a certain dollar amount
  • Basket or craft sales or auctions – teams can create themed baskets that are then auctioned
  • Karaoke contest – donate to vote who gets to sing
  • Name that Tune trivia contest
  • Balloon-O-Grams – for $5, send a thank you/best wishes balloon to a fellow employee with a note
  • Team/department challenges
  • Golf tournaments
  • Raffle for donated prize items
  • Book/garage sale – sell donated books/items
  • Silent auction – use email to auction off donated items
  • Costume Day or Contest -Pay a dollar to vote for a funny costume a company leader needs to wear -Look-a-Like contest (Elvis or other celebrities)
  • Carnival Day – dunk tank, ring toss, bag toss
  • Ice cream sundae eating contest or Ice cream social
  • Cake walk, win gift cards to local bakeries
  • Company Cookbook, employees submit recipes and sell the completed cookbook
  • Local Virtual Tastings/Cooking class – deliver meal supplies and login to learn from the chef

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.

Sample Custom Fundraising Page

If you are interested in using a custom fundraising page, please download THIS FORM and work with your United Way staff member to proceed.