Annual Campaign

How to Kick Off Your United Way Workplace Campaign

Ready to make your United Way campaign shine? We’ve got the tools and proven strategies to help you engage, excite, and unite your team for maximum impact.

Goal: Increase both donations and participation. Let’s dive in!

1. Build Your Team 

You can’t do this alone. Assemble a passionate and diverse committee to help you plan. Include reps from various departments—marketing, HR, accounting, and more—to create a well-rounded team. Assign specific roles like department liaison, payroll contact, and event coordinator to ensure smooth execution.

2. Lock Down the Logistics

Timing is key. Successful campaigns are brief and impactful—aim for a 2-week window. Plan a strong kickoff and wrap-up to create momentum. Set clear participation goals, and communicate them to your team so everyone knows what they’re working toward.

3. Rally the Troops

Engage your coworkers by encouraging them to Give, Advocate, and Volunteer. 

• Host a kickoff event with fun, educational elements to drive awareness and excitement.  
• Promote volunteer opportunities with group projects, like Helping Hands Day, to encourage team building and community involvement.  
• Facilitate leadership meetings for top contributors, highlighting benefits of giving at the Landmark Society level ($500+).

4. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

Visibility is key! Keep your campaign front and center with regular updates via email, intranet, posters, pay stub inserts, and more. Use a mix of media to keep employees engaged, and don’t forget to promote campaign milestones and events.

5. Use the Campaign Toolkit

Save time by using United Way's ready-made promotional materials—posters, pledge forms, videos, and more. We provide the essentials to keep your campaign running smoothly.

6. Wrap It Up  

As your campaign draws to a close, make sure to:  

• Finalize donations by collecting all pledge forms, cash, and checks.  
• Thank your employees—timely appreciation makes a big impact and strengthens future giving.  
• Celebrate contributions with incentives like prize drawings or a thank-you lunch.  

7. Stay Connected  

Keep the momentum going! Your United Way contact is here to help year-round. Schedule quarterly check-ins to stay aligned and continue supporting your community.

Ready to get started? Contact Kelly Frink at kfrink@swunitedway.org or (307) 362-5003 for support. Let’s make a difference together!

We want you to help you have the best campaign possible. If you have an idea for something different or more personalized let us know, we are happy to create some specific pieces for your campaign. First, be sure to check out the Campaign Guide.

There are various pledge forms available (paper or online), depending on your company's pay schedule. Work with your contact to get the one that works best for your company.

Campaign Guide

Thank you to all the companies supporting United Way workplace campaigns! We deeply appreciate the time and effort you dedicate to this cause. Your commitment means so much to employees, who take pride in working for organizations that support the communities they live in. Together, we're creating lasting change and a brighter future for those in need.