|
Welcome to the start of your organization’s campaign!
The Heart of Illinois United Way knows it is important for people to
understand why they are donating and who is receiving the funding. To
provide clarity, we have compiled these resource emails that employee
coordinators may use to inform employees about United Way. There are
also some educational tidbits and fun facts you may use to make the
campaign enjoyable and to remind each employee of the importance of
their contribution.
Email 1: Intro to Campaign: The
Kickoff
[Organization name] is excited to be working with the
Heart of Illinois United Way to help our community!
I am proud to announce that today is the kickoff of our
campaign to help communities in central Illinois. The Heart of Illinois
United Way offers each one of us the opportunity to make a difference in
someone’s life.
Your donation will assist in funding 112 different
programs and 45 non-profit health and social service agencies in central
Illinois. These programs and agencies help over 1,100 people each day,
such as parents using a daycare center, those receiving assistance from
community health centers, and children engaging in drug prevention
programs. The Heart of Illinois United Way’s dedicated focus on results
better ensures that your gift will make the greatest difference
possible.
I would love for you to join me in donating your time,
energy, and gifts to aid people in our community. By helping the people
in our neighborhoods and in our everyday lives, we show others what it
means to truly live united.
I will be passing out contributor cards for each of you
to fill out and return. Even if you do not wish to make a donation,
please make sure to fill them out and hand them in to me on
_____________.
Fun and Games
United Way will provide games on their website to
provide you with entertaining ways to test your wit and your knowledge
of United Way. If you think you know what it takes to make a good
campaign, try the Heart of Illinois United Way Agency Campaign Materials
Scramble today. Have fun and good luck. To find the answers to the
scramble, please visit the Heart of Illinois United Way website at:
http://www.hoiunitedway.org
Email 2: Campaign Calendar
This is where you can highlight all the special events
of your campaign. For example: Today is: Day 1. Introduction to the
Campaign; meeting with UW staff. You can keep the campaign calendar
included in each email to remind everyone of upcoming events.
Did You Know:
On average, a large soda costs almost $2. If you give $2
a week, you could provide five nights in a homeless shelter with warm
meals.
Email 3: Heart of Illinois
Information Email
To help you become more familiar with the Heart of
Illinois United Way, here is a sample an information email that
clarifies what United Way is, who operates United Way, who they serve,
and where your contribution goes.
What is the Heart of Illinois United Way?
The United Way is a successful community fundraiser that
brings together corporations, public and private agencies, donors and
volunteers to address critical issues in our community. The United Way
ensures that health and human services are available for people in need
by collecting and distributing funds and by supporting collaboration,
coordination and leadership in the community.
Who runs the United Way?
The United Way is managed by people like you: concerned
individuals who volunteer their time and talent all year long.
Volunteers are involved in raising the money, distributing funds to
worthy programs and monitoring agency performance.
Who does the Heart of Illinois United Way serve?
United Way serves people who really need help, many of
whom are your neighbors, friends, and family. Your contribution benefits
area residents through the 112 programs that received United Way support
through the Community Care Fund. We serve Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford,
Marshall, Putnam, and Stark Counties.
How much of my contribution goes to helping people?
The United Way has one of the lowest fundraising and
administrative costs of any voluntary fundraising effort in our
community with 90.3 cents out of every dollar helping people in need.
Your United Way donation stays here to work in our community, where we
are encouraged to live united.
Did You Know:
On average, a specialty coffee costs about $3. If you
give $3 a week, you could provide 10 hours of tutoring that will help
adults learn how to read.
Email 4: Focus Areas
The Heart of Illinois United Way focuses on four main
issues…
Youth programs help young people develop physically,
emotionally and socially by improving grade levels, development skills,
relationships and much more.
Family Programs help families to function successfully
in the community by providing social, health, emergency and educational
resources.
Self-Reliance Programs help people live independently
and assist them in gaining life-enrichment skills.
Health Programs help individuals lead healthier and
safer lifestyles by preventing health deterioration and promoting
healthy behaviors.
Focus-Driven, Result-Oriented Campaigning
This email focuses on increasing participation and
motivation. Set a clear goal for the company and give clear examples of
how you plan to meet that goal. Show your company how much your company
donated last year and possibly some examples of how that money was
raised. If this is your first year with a campaign, tell your employees
why you decided to start the campaign. Motivate employees by trying to
exceed last year’s amount and by providing them with results, such as
having a countdown meter and maintaining a steady flow of information
about the campaign’s progress.
Fun and Games
Today’s recommendation is the Heart of Illinois United
Way Hidden Message Word Search. To see the answers, remember to visit
http://www.hoiunitedway.org
Email 5: Money Working for The
Community and You
United Way understands that people want to know where
their money is going and what their money is accomplishing. This email
provides insight to questions contributors often ask.
When I give to the United Way, how will my money
help?
HOIUW addresses various community issues that affect a
diverse and large amount of people. For example, through your gift,
United Way is able to fund day care and after-school programs for our
young people, emergency food and shelter programs for the homeless,
scouting programs for youth, treatment to substance abusers, and
programs for senior citizens.
Why ask employees to give?
The employee campaign is the major portion of the annual
United Way fundraising drive. In the United States, there is a strong
tradition of individual giving. By asking you to give, we are providing
our employees an easy way to give back to the community through an
organization that has been working to meet our community’s needs for
more than 80 years. Together, our combined employee gifts make a larger
impact because we are part of a united effort. Whether you give a
one-time gift, or you use payroll deduction to make a larger gift or
spread it out over time, your support is appreciated and needed.
Who decides where the money goes?
More than 80 volunteers from diverse segments of the
community decide where the money goes. These volunteers are very careful
to ensure that your contributions go to programs that truly impact
people’s lives.
I don’t use any of these agencies, so why should I give?
No one is certain about what tomorrow can bring. If you
were faced with a life changing condition you would be forced to ask the
question, “Where can I turn for help?” The answer, in many instances,
would be the agencies supported by United Way or their information and
referral service.
Fun and Games
Today’s recommendation is the Heart of Illinois United
Way Crossword. Remember to visit http://www.hoiunitedway.org for the
answers.
Email 6: Money Working for The
Community and You #2
This email provides further insight to question
contributors often ask referring to more personal questions, such as tax
deductibility.
My spouse gives at work, why should I contribute?
United Way depends on each working person giving his or
her share. In a majority of families, both husband and wife are wage
earners. We can better contribute to meet the needs of the community
only if each one of us does his or her part.
I already give to a charity of my own; why should I
give to UW?
We all have our favorite charities that we support, but
there are some community problems that cannot be solved by a single
organization. A program of skilled, coordinated planning can most
economically and efficiently meet our community’s overall needs.
Is my gift tax deductible?
Contributions to the United Way are tax deductible to
the full extent of the law for those taxpayers who itemize their
deductions on their Federal Income Tax form.
Did You Know:
On average, a new music cd costs about $10 a day. If you
give $10 a week, you could provide four uninsured health patients with
critical preventative and surgical dental care.
Email 7: Pledge Card Reminder
This email is a reminder of when the pledge cards are
due. You can also remind employees of your overall goal and how much
further you have to reach your goal. This email can also highlight a few
people who have won office games and contests, and those that have
raised the most (with their consent).
I hope everyone is enjoying our campaign so far! To
date, we have raised _________. Keep up the great work!
Fun and Games
Today’s recommendation is the Heart of Illinois United
Way Event Mazes. Remember to visit http://www.hoiunitedway.org for the
answers.
Email 8: Pledge Card Reminder
#2:
The Heart of Illinois United Way campaign is almost
complete! I hope you all have enjoyed participating. Tomorrow, everyone
must have turned in your pledge cards. So far, we have already raised
_____, and we are only ____ away from our goal! Amazing job! Keep up the
great work and enthusiasm!
If you are interested in viewing the United Way funded
agencies, please visit the HOIUW website at http://www.hoiunitedway.org
Did You Know:
On average, two movie tickets cost $15. If you give 15 a
week, you could provide 42 nights of emergency shelter for parents and
families during a crisis.
Email 9: Supplementary
Email: The Pillars Society
An Important Asset to the
United Way: The Pillars Society
What is the Pillars Society?
Founded in 1987, the Pillars Society is a group of individuals and/or
couples that demonstrates extraordinary concern for central Illinois and
its citizens by donating $1,000 or more annually to the United Way.
Gifts can be made through payroll deductions, direct payments or
stocks/securities. Last year the Pillars Society had 957 members whose
gifts totaled over $1.88 million.
When a couple works, can their
gifts be combined to qualify them for Pillars Society membership? Yes!
Couples may pledge at their workplaces, and if the combined pledges
total $1,000 or more they are eligible. It is necessary for the couple
to notify United Way of their pledges because if the individual gift did
not total $1,000 the employer would not be aware of the eligibility.
Are Pillars Society gifts
counted in employee campaign results? Most definitely! Gifts through the
Pillars Society significantly benefit the community and substantially
improve employee-giving results.
Do Pillars Society members
receive any special recognition? Yes, they receive a distinctive,
personalized award. There is also a reception for members each fall.
Additionally, members who so choose have their names listed in a special
membership brochure and in the Heart of Illinois United Way’s Annual
Report. NOTE: All costs of the Pillars Society are underwritten by
corporate sponsors, thus ensuring that the contributed dollars go to the
services to which they are intended.
How do I become a member? If
you are interested in becoming a member of the Pillars Society, please
contact your employee campaign chair, or call the Heart of Illinois
United Way at 309-674-5181, ext. 232.
Fun and Games
Today’s suggestion for fun and games in Heart of
Illinois United Way Agency Bingo. Remember to visit http://www.hoiunitedway.org
for the answers.
Email 10: Closing Remarks/
Campaign Total/ Thank-You
Personally thank everyone for his or her time put into
the campaign. You can add the company campaign total, corporate gift
total, and special events total. Congratulate everyone on a job well
done, and include closing remarks about your campaign.
|
