For donors, the most important part is the experience. Studies found that 56% of donors are more likely to give after attending an event, in-person or virtual. Include a kickoff rally as part of your campaign plan to generate enthusiasm and launch a successful campaign. Be sure to include the following:

• ►  Play the United Way campaign video. This important tool helps people understand how much their gift means.
• ►  Attain CEO and labor-leadership endorsements.
• ►  Include a United Way agency speaker or representative. Stories are a powerful vehicle – 63% of listeners remember stories. Consider having a co-worker share their connection to United Way.
• ►  Include refreshments, snacks or even breakfast or lunch.
• ►  Make sure to include fun and interactivity in the program, like United Way bingo or Jeopardy. And consider including incentives for attendance like participation prizes or raffles.
• ►  Most importantly, ask your co-workers to make their pledge during the kickoff. One company took 5 minutes at their kickoff for employees to log in and make their gift online and it had a huge impact on their overall campaign!
• ►  Have fun! A key ingredient for a successful campaign is to set an upbeat mood. The more fun you have getting ready for the campaign, the more fun employees have during the campaign.

• ►  Promote the campaign throughout the duration of the campaign. Use your company intranet, email or social media accounts to pass along information about United Way to all employees.
• ►  Place United Way campaign posters and brochures at key places throughout the building if you’re back in the office.
• ►  If budget allows, host other special events during campaign in addition to a kickoff. Here are examples of some other fun ideas:
  • • Jeans day, spirit week, or a themed costume party.
    • Team-building activities like pumpkin carving contest between departments, penny jar challenges or sports tournaments
    • Events that incorporate giving like online auctions, trivia nights, or a talent show where co-workers can donate $1 to vote for the winner
    • Engaging activities like cooking classes or a “Masterclass” on a specific topic
    • Educational events like lunch ‘n learns focused on United Way, a speakers series featuring different agencies supported by United Way
• ►  Incorporate incentives for certain giving and participation levels. Here are a few examples of how to incorporate incentives in your campaign:
  • • By individual participation: Anyone who attends a rally is eligible.
    • By timeframe: Anyone who contributes by a certain day is eligible.
    • By increase: Anyone who increases their gift over the previous year by a certain percentage is eligible.
    • By gift level: Anyone who gives a certain number of dollars or more is eligible.
    • By company goal: If the company achieves a certain percentage of employee participation, all employees are eligible.
  • Incentive ideas:
    • Pizza party or movie break for top-giving teams
    • Corporate match
    • Use of company suite at a Cardinals or Blues game
    • Company Coupons: Casual Friday (wear jeans), Flee @ 3 (leave work early), Call in Well (day off), Sleep In (arrive late)
    • CEO parking space for the day
    • Movie, play or sporting event tickets
    • Gas gift cards
    • Jersey Day: Wear your favorite sports team jersey.
    • Create a Holiday: The top-giving person or team creates a random holiday of their choice to take off.
    • Invitation to a special reception with the CEO or executive team.
• ►  Don’t forget to include a strategy for engaging Leadership Givers and young professionals throughout campaign. Check out section 5 for more ideas on this topic.
• ►  Update employees on campaign status and other campaign information.