Successful Campaign Planning Tips Sheet

United Way of Bradford County Successful Campaign Planning Tips Sheet

Welcome to the 2017 United Way Campaign, and thank you for your support and commitment to your community.

As you plan and organize your company or school’s campaign, it’s important to keep a few key things in mind.  Don’t think you have to do it alone. Build a campaign committee representative of your company or school. The more hands, the better.  Set clear goals. The best campaigns have measurable goals. Look at last year’s totals and set goals based on what you think you can achieve. For example, consider increasing participation (the number of employees giving), increasing the average gift (how much each employee gives), and increasing the number of leadership givers ($500+).  Share information with your employees and coworkers. Help employees at your organization learn more about United Way, its programs and its incentives. Use our materials, provide the opportunity for employees to hear from agency funded representatives, and encourage employees to participate in the United Way’s volunteer opportunities – including Day of Caring. Through participation and information, employees will learn how their support makes a true difference within the community.  Use our resources. The United Way has developed educational and promotional materials to help you in your role as company or school coordinator. There are pledge forms, brochures, sample forms and letters, and United Way merchandise that may be purchased to further your campaign goals.

Best wishes for a successful campaign! Thank you for the work you do to make Bradford County a better place to live, work and raise our families. Together, we are working toward a stronger community … and that’s what matters. United Way of Bradford County Successful Campaign Planning Tips Sheet

Step One – Involve your Chief Executive Officer / School Principal Enlist the support of your President / CEE / CEO / CFO / Principle, etc. to have them endorse the campaign in a letter to all employees, encourage giving and participate in your employee group meetings.

Step Two – Form a Campaign Committee Don’t do it alone! Recruit campaign committee representatives from your organization. Include salaried and hourly employees and people with United Way experience if possible.

Step Three – Develop a Plan - Set a specific time frame for the start and finish of your campaign. Keep it short – you want your campaign to be fresh. Our suggestion is to allow one – two weeks for solicitation and one – two weeks for follow up on contributions and reports. - Set campaign goals. - Plan promotion and publicity for your campaign using company newsletters, bulletin board, payroll stuffers, e- mail, etc. Days off with pay, donated items, or even merchandise from your own company are great ways to encourage giving.

Step Four – Employee Meetings - Use United Way Resources - Consider taking an employee or two to a United Way funded agency for a tour – it’s informative and fun! (And they can share their experience at employee meetings.) - Use the United Way Campaign Video – new this year! - Set a meeting with employees - remember to keep it brief! A short intensive effort usually produces the best results (30 minutes max). Hand out pledge forms and brochures.

Step Five – Follow – up Ask every employee to return a pledge card whether they gave or not to ensure that everyone has been contacted.

Step Six – Report your results - Make sure all pledge cards are returned and accounted for. - Communicate the results of your campaign to the whole organization as soon as they are available. - Evaluate your results. A written report on your campaign with recommendations for next year will be greatly appreciated by the next campaign coordinator.

Step Seven – Thank You - Say “Thank You!” Your co-workers made it happen – so give them credit. Saying THANKS is the most important part of the campaign! - Hold an employee gathering for all employees. Ask the CEO to thank all contributors to the campaign. - Ask the CEO to send a letter to all employees for participating in the campaign and thanking those who gave. - Blanket the bulletin board, lunchroom, etc, with “thank you” messages. Don’t forget your company publication and e-mail! Let your co-workers know their contributions are appreciated! - Thank your committee members …they worked hard, too. Hold a special meeting and/ or give them a thank you note to say “thanks” for their time, energy, and commitment. A special note or letter from the CEO is also a good idea. - Consider sending a CEO thank you letter, thank you paycheck stuffers, tracking chart, achievement certificate, public recognition, and a thank you luncheon.

For more ideas on Planning a Successful Campaign, please feel free to contact the United Way of Bradford County Board of Directors at [email protected] or 570-247-5569. United Way of Bradford County

Campaign Planning Toolkit

Is your CEO or Principal on board??? ___ Yes ___ No

What are you going to ask them to help you do???

______

What incentives could you give to your employees for giving??

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Who would be good candidates to join a committee????

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Identify a goal: ______

How will information be distributed to employees???

______

______If you host an employee meeting: answer the following questions

When? ______

Where? ______

Who will speak? ______

Other details: ______

______

How will pledge forms be collected from employees??

______

How do you plan to thank your employees??

______

Is there any additional support you could use from United Way??

______