
Thank You!
You are essential to the success of our Annual Campaign. Without you, we could not provide the critical funds needed in our fight to improve health, education, and financial stability.
What binds us together is the belief that each of us has a stake in the success of our fellow citizen. United, we can ensure our community thrives. Whether this is your first time as an Employee Campaign Coordinator (ECC) or you’re a seasoned veteran, we are here to help you have a successful campaign from start to finish.
On behalf of all of the people served in our community, we thank you for coordinating your 2020 workplace giving campaign.
2020 Workplace Campaign - Steps to Success
Step 1: Prepare
- Determine how you will hold your campaign - paper forms, ePledge, or a hybrid method.
- ePledge is a great way to simplify your campaign and reach your employees who may be working from home. Connect with our team to learn more
- Virtually attend United Way's Campaign Training
- Set your campaign dates
- Assemble your Campaign Team
- Set your Campaign Goal
- Complete the Campaign Checklist
Step 2: Build a Communication Plan
- Browse the Resource Library (below) and determine which tools you will use
- Arrange a United Way Speaker (virtual or in person)
- Determine multiple ways you can reach your employees - email, Intranet, Yammer/Slack/Workplace postings, posters...
- Consider a virtual Kickoff event or other special events
- Will you utilize any incentives or prizes?
- Go over your plan with your United Way staff member
Step 3: Execute Your Plan!
- Communicate with employees at least four times - on launch day, mid-campaign, a final push and of course - a Thank You.
- Provide live updates on Campaign progress and celebrate milestones
- Keep it short - 2 weeks or less is plenty for a majority of companies
- Contact United Way with any concerns or for assistance
Resource Library
Key Campaign Tools
- Pledge Form - Printable
- Pillar Pledge Form - Printable (Coming Soon)
- Campaign Brochure
ePledge
ePledge Setup - Employee Template Excel File
Campaign Video Library
From 30 seconds to eight minutes, we have all kinds of videos for you to share that will help promote the Campaign.
Digital Engagement
Reaching your employees virtually is easy when you use our content. The toolkit contains five email templates, two intranet posts, and a variety of images and video.
Workplace Campaign Engagement Toolkit
All content that is on our blog is available for you to use in your campaign. If you would like to post this content directly on your intranet, please contact Mary for the files. We have additional imagery, videos and email templates to accompany these pieces of content.
Our Favorite Blog Posts:
- Why We Fight For Our Neighbors in Champaign County
- United We Change The Conversation About Mental Health
- 211 Brings Inspiring Goals for Healthy Communities Within Reach
- Providing Hope After Loss
- ALICE in Champaign County: A Research Report
Printable/email-friendly Resources
Grab people's attention with these informational documents. The PDF format allows you to print or share via email attachment.
General Info
- Forward to Better: Our 2020 Annual Campaign
- Why the Community Impact Fund?
- What Your Dollar Buys
- 2020 Community Impact Fund Overview Brand-new format for 2020!
- Looking for the list of agencies? The Impact Fund Overview replaces that document.
- Multilingual United Way Information - Spanish, French and Vietnamese (coming soon!)
COVID-19
Education
Health
Financial Stability
- Financial Stability Infographic
- Financial Stability Topic Overview
Printable Posters
2020 Posters
- "Changed My Life"
- Win - Education
- Win - Health
- Win - Financial Stability
- Fight - Addiction
- Fight - Housing
- Fight - Domestic Violence
- "Changed My Life" Spanish Language Poster
2019 Posters
Campaign Management - Tips and Tools
- Employee Campaign Coordinator (ECC) Guide
- Simple "About United Way" Presentation (9 slides)
- Unique Fundraising Ideas & Special Events - Over 100 great ideas!
- Building A Leadership Giving Program
- Digital Banners for intranet/email signatures
Promotional Items
Live United t-shirts, branded cups, and many other giveaway items available. Just ask your United Way staff!
For Combined Charities (C5) Only
Congratulations to the 2019 Campaign Award Winners!
Outstanding Workplace Campaign
2019 WINNER: Ameren Illinois
This year the Champaign Operating Center employees pledged $18,358 for United Way. Judy Weaver and Matt Cloe tried hard to build participation – and it worked. They increased participation by 140% in one year! Increased participation means an increased campaign total – a 90% increase. Ameren uses nearly every United Way Campaign Best Practice- from campaign videos, speakers and rallies, to leadership endorsement and fun events. Ameren did it all.
2019 Finalist: Champaign Urbana Mass Transit District
MTD's Combined Charities Committee engaged more than 1/3 of their employees through seven events and ongoing activities. This feat was achieved through carefully coordinated teamwork and by flexing their creative muscle to produce a fun and vibrant campaign. Their employees kicked off the fundraising month with a wacky Flamingo Flocking game that sent nearly 200 birds of all shapes and sizes to employees across MTD. They also promoted giving at any level and incorporated multiple games with varying price points to ensure all employees, regardless of financial capacity, could participate.
2019 Finalist: Carle Health Alliance
Carle Health Alliance’s 19-member United Way committee chose a new approach, using generational messaging addressing the why for giving, and focusing on lifestyles and motivations for the age groups represented in their workforce. Using employee testimonial speakers at a management institute, compelling articles on the intranet, prize drawings and strategically timed emails, the campaign saw strong participation from the start and reached their goal: 1,000 donors – a 20% increase in participation.
ECC of the Year Award
Presented to Employee Campaign Coordinators who go above and beyond in their Workplace Giving Campaign. Through innovation, energy and persistence, they led their campaign to an increase in overall giving or participation. This extra effort means more help for people in Champaign County!
Mary Beck - Champaign County Forest Preserve
Autumn Soliman, Michelle Wright, Sasha Green, Debbie Bosch-Whitt - Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District:
Katie Fidler - Illinois American Water Company
Jill Boland - Martin Hood LLC
Katie Bogner - U of I Community Credit Union
Excellence Awards
Recognizing 10 or more continuous years of service as a United Way ECC
Laura Weis - Champaign County Chamber of Commerce
Tammy Hoggatt - Champaign Park District
Kelly Musgrove - Combe Laboratories
Cherise Lewis - The Downey Group, Inc.
Nicki Morse - Meijer – Urbana
Eric Boland - Provident Financial Group