People helping people: that's what matters - and it's how our Heart of Illinois United Way family of agencies work together to provide much needed services throughout central Illinois.

To make our united efforts stronger, here are a few tips on marketing and recognizing your agency as being a part of our family of 47 agencies:

Include the United Way logo in your newsletter, on your letterhead, brochures, etc.  Most agencies do this already, so share ideas with others.  If you need a copy of our logo, it can be downloaded from the Media page of our website.

Use the sample article (link at the right) to share your United Way relationship with your clients, donors and supporters.

Provide a link to this website from your site. Your webmaster can use the link on the right to download a banner ad and then link to www.hoiunitedway.org.

Provide an agency speaker for campaign presentations at area companies and organizations.  Our Speakers Information Page (link on the right) provides sample speeches, talking points, and more.

Respond to United Way marketing requests!  Throughout the year, the marketing department requests success stories for our publications and multi-media projects; volunteer projects for Day of Caring; calendar of events listings for this website; and much more.  This is an excellent, and probably the best, opportunity to co-market your message with the United Way.

Submit agency news items for our quarterly newsletter.  These items can include new or changes in staff, updates on programs, etc.

Submit events for our Calendar of Events.  These evnets are used in advertisements and on this site.

Share the importance of the United Way to your agency with your staff and board members.  It's important for them to know how the United Way affects your daily operations.  If you'd like ideas, call the United Way staff.

Display United Way posters, signs and brochures prominently at your agency.  If you need to restock, we always have more on hand, just give us a call.

Recognize your United Way funded programs/services with a simple statement, such as "This program is funded in part by the Heart of Illinois United Way." Then make sure this information is in any of the print materials or media releases about the program.

Recognize the support of the United Way at your events.  This can be done in the spoken or written program, or even by recognizing United Way staff in attendance.

Attend the United Way's upcoming marketing seminars on Presentation Skills/Storytelling, Crisis Communication, Media Relations, etc.   Visit this site for updates.

Lastly, remember to include the United Way in your recognition/thank you programs.  The more people who know how important the United Way is to you, they'll realize how important their gift to the United Way is to the community.