1. Campaign Manager ACTION GUIDE
A Step-By-Step Tool for Success!
Be sure to visit for additional resources.

2. Make a bigger impact In this Action Guide you’ll find:
Campaign Managers (CMs) are the critical link between United Way of Greater Toledo (UWGT) and the employees that help us change the odds in Lucas, Wood, and Ottawa counties. In this Action Guide are tips for strengthening your campaigns, getting more employees engaged and, overall, making a lasting impact on our community and your company.
In this Action Guide you’ll find:
Step-by-step instructions on planning every aspect of campaign, from the logistical to the fun
Ideas and tips to make campaign more engaging
The best campaign tools to make the greatest impact
We hope you’ll use this as the go-to resource for your campaign needs, but an Action Guide can only do so much. Your UWGT campaign representative/contact (UW Rep) is always available to help with the rest, so please reach out to us.
Your UWGT contact is:
__________________________________________
Phone: ___________________________________
____________________________________

3. Table of Contents About UWGT 4-5 Campaign Manager Role 6
Campaign Best Practices
Campaign Awards
Campaign Action Steps
Campaign Timeline

4. About: United Way of Greater Toledo
OUR MISSION
United Way of Greater Toledo unites the caring power of people to improve lives.
WHO WE SERVE
Lucas, Wood & Ottawa Counties
WHAT WE WANT TO COMMUNICATE
We are focused on collaboration with community partners.
We strive to connect our donors to our work through affinity groups & engagement opportunities.
We raise money locally and invest it locally.
We are committed to our LIVE UNITED 2020 goals.
We are results-driven & research-based.
unitedwaytoledo.org
@UnitedWayToledo
Our URL
Our Twitter handle & Instagram username
facebook.com/unitedwaytoledo
UWGT
Our Facebook URL
Our acronym

5. LIVE UNITED 2020 Goals 2-1-1 Use comments from your 2-1-1 interaction
Regardless of the focus area(s), we continue to take a holistic approach to serving the whole child, whole family, and whole community. Our goal is to give everyone the access to a better life and we know a quality education, a healthy lifestyle and income stability provides opportunity.
How we do it?
-Discover community conditions needing improvement
-Design and Build long-term solutions in partnership with others
-Mobilize people to implement those solutions
-Measure results
-Guide Continuous Improvement
Education
Income
Health
2-1-1
Use comments from your interaction
Free
24/7
Confidential
Anonymous
Non-emergency
Information and referral service
Lucas, Wood, Ottawa, Erie, & Hancock county residents
Health and human services
Available by telephone and online
Provides callers and web visitors with detailed information on community resources for help and assistance in a range of areas.

6. Campaign Manager Role You’re the right fit for the CM role if…
You want to expand your leadership skills
You have a passion to create change
You’re a trusted colleague
You embrace your company’s culture of philanthropy
You inspire others to make an impact in the local community!
Benefits:
Grow your leadership, project management and public speaking skills
Showcase your commitment & leadership to others in your company
Collaborate with a team of compassionate & talented co-workers from different departments
Thank Eric & tie into our work; thank volunteers

7. Campaign Best Practices
The best tools to make the greatest impact

8. Helpful Campaign Tools
There are many different fundraising tools and best practices that you can implement during your campaign to achieve the success you desire. We would like to highlight a few tools that have been proven to have the greatest impact in our community as well as nationwide.
In this section you will find more information on the following:
The impact of UWGT top best practices
Benefits of utilizing ePledge online giving tool
Benefits of connecting your employees to our Affinity Groups
Examples of year-round engagement activities
Recognition for your efforts in implementing best practices
Thank Eric & tie into our work; thank volunteers

9. Impact of Best Practices
Thank Eric & tie into our work; thank volunteers

10. Benefits of ePledge: Online Giving Website
Fast, easy, secure and mobile friendly
Convenient and private pledging for employees
Kickoff and reminder messaging sent automatically
Real-time campaign reporting for Campaign Manager
Payroll file provided at end of campaign
Minimize or eliminate paper pledge cards
Thank Eric & tie into our work; thank volunteers
One highly effective communication and giving tool is the use of ePledge.
Talk to your UW Rep about your options to build an online giving site with customized communications for your company’s employees.

11. Affinity Groups
United Way affinity groups are a great way to connect your employees to the work of UWGT. Affinity groups also give donors an opportunity to network and meet other individuals with like goals to advance the common good in our community. Individuals can join one or more affinity group(s) by donating $250 or more annually to UWGT.
United Way African American Leadership Council
United Way Emerging Leaders
Women’s Initiative of United Way
New! Retire United
Ask your UW Rep for more ideas to plug affinity groups in to your workplace.
Thank Eric & tie into our work; thank volunteers

12. Year-Round Engagement
Connect with your UW Rep and UWGT Community Engagement staff member to plan year-round Lunch & Learns, volunteer opportunities, Cost of Poverty Experience simulations and more
Attend a Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) meeting to learn about best practices of employee volunteer programs and opportunities for collaboration
Visit our volunteer webpage for the most up-to-date information regarding projects and events
Attend Campaign Manager Forums and sign up for e- newsletters
Discuss with company leadership about succession plan for Campaign Managers
Our goal is to inspire our entire community to LIVE UNITED and stay engaged in the work to advance education, financial stability and healthy lifestyles. These are a few examples of what your company can do year-round to stay engaged and informed.

13. Campaign Awards
Campaign Awards recognize your commitment and implementation of best practices as a Campaign Manager and as a company.
Visit for campaign award criteria details!
CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION AWARDS
All companies whose employee campaign giving achieves between 50% and 100% participation will be recognized at the following award levels:
Excellence – 100% participation
Distinction – % participation
Achievement – % participation
Honorable – % participation
Appreciation – % participation
ENGAGEMENT AWARDS
Top Year-Round Engagement
Top Volunteer Engagement
CAMPAIGN PERFORMANCE AWARDS
Best in Show
LIVE UNITED
Campaign Manager Hall of Fame
CEO Involvement Hall of Fame
Top Leadership Giving Increase
Top Labor/Management Corporate Partnership
Top New Campaign

14. Top 10 Action Steps
A step-by-step guide to running a great campaign

15. #1 Recruit A Team
Don’t run your campaign alone. Recruit a committee of enthusiastic, resourceful and committed employees to help you plan the best possible campaign!
Diversity is important. Involve people from various departments in your organization, such as marketing, human resources, payroll, etc.
Set up regular committee meetings and delegate responsibilities.
You can ensure campaign success by creating roles and responsibilities for committee members
Ex: Marketing & events, campaign communication, department liaison, payroll contact, etc.
Our team is: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________
UWGT’s work
purpose
Rationale for our model
role with partners
midst of investment discussions
Importance of resources to drive the work
Importance of volunteers’ role
Bring up Kim

16. #2 Determine Your Timeline
Keep your campaign strategically timed and goal-oriented.
Campaign start date: ___________________________
Campaign end date: ___________________________
Starting a campaign with a clear kickoff and wrapping up with a great finish is often an important consideration – think about these things when you decide timing.
Talk with your UW Rep to determine the best timeframe for your company, and be sure to keep them in the loop as you move forward.

17. #3 Set A Challenging Yet Attainable Goal
Be ambitious but realistic so your co- workers have an attainable goal to reach.
Work with your UW Rep to assess data
Utilize goal setting sheet supplied by UWGT to set your 2017 goal
Determine if your company will focus on increasing participation, increasing employee dollars, striving to achieve particular campaign goals, etc.
OUR CAMPAIGN GOAL(S):
_________________

18. #4 Plan Your Employee Campaign Activities
It’s important to provide multiple opportunities for employees to learn more about how they can get involved.
Hold meetings and events throughout your campaign to get employees together and have fun! Ensure the event offers employees plenty of ways to learn and understand what their contribution to UWGT can accomplish. Your UW Rep can help you identify top proven strategies that you can implement as part of your activities.
Our presentation(s) will be on: _______________ to whom? _____________
_______________ to whom? _____________
Our special events will be: _________________________ on ____________ (date)
_________________________ on ____________ (date)
Meetings and special events can be flexible to match the culture of your company, but for maximum impact, be sure to invite your UW Rep so we can showcase the work happening in the community and help you share real stories of people who are impacted.

19. #5 Schedule Your Volunteer Projects
Did you know UWGT can help you develop a corporate volunteerism program, from a one-time opportunity to a year-round calendar? Volunteering is a great way to get introduced to UWGT’s community impact efforts and create employee comradery!
The average gift of someone who donates is $331*.
The average gift of someone who volunteers and donates is over $2,000*.
Our volunteer projects are:
__________________________
*national data

20. #6 Promote Leadership Giving
Set a meeting designed to educate organizational leaders about the benefits of giving at the Leadership Donor level.
Bronze: $1,000+
Silver: $2,000+
Gold: $3,000+
Platinum: $5,000+
Emerald: $7,500+
Tocqueville Society: $10,000+
UWGT Leadership Levels:
Our leadership giving meeting is: _____________________
Leadership Roundtables
Consider inviting UWGT staff to facilitate a Leadership Roundtable discussion with leadership and potential leadership donors at your company. This would be an opportunity to engage and retain donors through open dialogue around United Way and what inspires people to give and volunteer.

21. #7 Communicate With Employees About Campaign
Our communication plan
We will send communications via:
___________ on ___________ (date)
We will hand out: _________________________________
_________________________________
Consider using , intranet sites, personalized letters, Outlook/calendar requests and UWGT materials to promote the campaign.
Hang posters and flyers in prominent places to announce the UWGT campaign dates and important information. Be sure to have a single point of reference for employees to access campaign information.
Make sure you have the following essential UWGT materials:
Brochures
UWGT video
Posters
ePledge set-up materials (if applicable)
Pledge cards
UWGT affinity group information
Campaign Toolkit
You can find the above materials and additional campaign resources here:

22. #8 Don’t forget to say “THANKS!”
Ensure your employees have a positive campaign experience. Making them feel appreciated increases the likelihood they will remain engaged.
Thank donors, employees, leadership team and your campaign team in a timely manner after the end of the campaign.
Thank contributors for participating in the campaign/volunteer efforts with incentives such as prize drawings, a thank you luncheon or personal letters.
Our “Thank You” Plan:
We plan to offer these incentives: _______________________________
_______________________________
We plan to say “thank you” by: _________________________ (date) via
______________________ (event, letter, etc.)

23. #9 Finalize Your Campaign
If you are not utilizing ePledge, the steps below outline the appropriate measures for closing your campaign:
Publicize your campaign’s end date and ensure all pledge forms are turned in by the deadline.
Contact your UW Rep to arrange a brief, 15 minute meeting. Going through the pledges together before sealing the envelope can save a lot of time in the long run!
Remind donors to keep a copy of the pledge form for tax purposes.
Results will be turned in to UWGT by: ___________________________

24. #10 Stay In Touch! Stay in touch with us… in person!
Your UW Rep is here to help year-round. Have quarterly coffee dates to keep UWGT up to date on what’s going on at your company and to learn how your company’s support for UWGT has helped improve lives in Toledo!
We also want to connect you to other campaign managers via Campaign Manager Events! These events are designed to be a casual, networking opportunity for CMs to brainstorm and connect throughout the year. Keep an eye out for invitations! Contact your UW Rep for a calendar of events.
Stay in touch with us… online!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and go to to sign up for e- newsletters!

25. Campaign Timeline
Tips on when to plug in best practices and action steps

26. 4-8 Weeks Before Campaign
Meet with your UW Rep
Recruit a team of representatives from each department and schedule meetings
Attend Campaign Manager Summit with your campaign team
Meet with your company’s CEO/Senior Management Team to:
Secure endorsement and commitment to participate in campaign events & volunteerism
Approval of campaign budget
Get confirmation on campaign goals and objectives
Meet with your campaign team
Establish campaign goals/objectives, and timeline/plan of action for all activities
Finalize communication strategy
Post information for employees to easily access
Schedule United Way speaker(s) for staff meetings, kick-off and Lunch & Learns
Work with UW Rep on pledge tools
Start ePledge set up and data file 6 weeks before kick-off
Request pledge card pre-prints 4 weeks before kick-off
Send calendar requests to all staff to attend all campaign events

27. 2-4 Weeks Before Campaign
Meet with your campaign team and confirm delegation of tasks
Re-confirm your campaign goals and objectives
Meet with UW Rep to share details of campaign kick-off
Confirm your dates/times for campaign activities
Familiarize yourself with campaign materials
Plan details for special events
Confirm your United Way speaker(s)
Inform employees of campaign details and goals

28. 1 Week Before Campaign
Together with your UW Rep, provide your campaign team with training on United Way’s LIVE UNITED goals, programming details, and engagement opportunities
Send out CEO/Senior Management Team endorsement letters
Reinforce campaign goals and incentives
Send reminders about campaign kick-off and events

29. Week of Campaign Kick-off
Host your campaign kick-off event and emphasize the endorsement of your company’s leadership
Conduct your campaign events
Continue to promote your campaign
Update employees on progress toward goal
Don’t forget to HAVE FUN!!

30. 1-2 Weeks After Campaign
If not utilizing ePledge, collect all pledge forms and submit campaign report to your UW Rep. The report should include a spreadsheet of your donors
If you utilized ePledge, generate campaign reports to be submitted
Thank your staff who helped in any way and those that donated
Host a thank you event
Announce results to staff
Conduct a debrief meeting with your UW Rep
Evaluate your campaign results
Identify opportunities for next year’s campaign
Discuss year-round engagement opportunities

31. Thank you for helping us Change the Odds!