The tools on this page are here to help United Way of Norman Campaign Coordinators run a successful employee drive. If you have any questions about running a campaign or need additional information, please call United Way of Norman at 405.329.2025 or email Kathy Holder.
If you need to schedule a campaign kickoff event, click here.
Campaign Toolkit
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TRADITIONAL CAMPAIGN
Most campaigns look like this every year. Your organization holds one campaign kickoff attended by all your employees.
You have the option to pass out paper pledge cards or use United Way of Norman’s online pledging system, ePledge. With ePledge employees can make pledges and credit card payments from their computer.
Set a deadline for employees to complete pledges and report your campaign total to the United Way. This is typically around 2 weeks
CUSTOM
If this isn't exactly right for your organization, let’s talk about what works best for you and customize your campaign. We want your United Way campaign as easy as possible.
Please contact Kathy Holder at kholder@unitedway-norman.org or call the United Way of Norman office at 405.329.2025 to set up the perfect campaign for your organization.
This one-page guide includes information on the benefits of being a Campaign Coordinator, your duties, steps to success, key messages and a campaign checklist.
Campaign Coordinator Guide (Click to Download)
Click here to download the Workplace Info Flyer
ePledge is a secure, fast and easy way for your employees to make a contribution to the United Way of Norman campaign through payroll deduction or a one-time gift by credit card.
When should our campaign take place?
Pacesetter campaigns take place in July and August. Most other workplace campaigns occur between early September and mid-November. However, they can take place any time of the year.
I have limited time. How can I work the campaign into my busy schedule?
Reach out to us. United Way of Norman staff and volunteers are here to help you every step of the way. Let us know your limitations and we will come up with a plan together to make it easier for you. Another way to ease the strain is to recruit a campaign team. Assign tasks and assume a management role. Most importantly, start planning early. The earlier you start the easier the process will be for you.
How long should our campaign last?
Most campaigns can be wrapped up in two or three weeks. The goal is to distribute and collect pledge cards while the United Way message is still fresh in employees’ minds.
How can I involve our employees in the campaign experience?
Take the campaign to them. Some ideas are to use e-mail, voice mails, videos and/or letters from the CEO/Leadership to get the word out. Attach balloons with United Way messages to the employees’ desks. Designate one room as the United Way Room and have participants play games on their breaks and turn in pledge forms for prizes. Use your company’s intranet to provide information and results. Create and distribute a company video starring your colleagues sharing their reasons for Living United in prior campaigns.
When do payroll contributions start?
The most common payroll contribution period usually runs from January 1 through December 31. Some companies use their fiscal year as their schedule for payroll contribution. United Way does not set your payroll schedule. It is a company decision.
How do I get a speaker at my event?
United Way can work with you to secure a speaker for your campaign kickoff. We can recommend speakers for your rally based on the interests of your workforce. For planning purposes, please allow at least two weeks to process your speaker request. Since most speakers are doing numerous events throughout the campaign, it is not always possible to get the speaker you request. Email us to schedule a speaker at info@unitedway-norman.org.
Color Print Logo (CMYK)
Color Electronic Logo (RGB)
Black Logo
Click any logo for a full-size version
Sample Meeting Agenda
(Don’t forget the pens for signing the pledge forms!)
Coordinator and/or CEO welcomes and endorses the campaign.
Coordinator explains how the pledge cards will be distributed and collected and then introduces UW rep.
Coordinator shares a personal story or one of the following speaks: United Way rep, partner agency rep or client.
Show United Way video.
United Way rep and Coordinator extend invitation to give and ask for employees’ support.
Coordinator collects pledge cards and thanks employees.
Minutes
1
2
8
3
2
2
Total 18
Sample Email
TO: All Staff
SUBJECT: United Way Campaign
Dear <employee name>
Mark your calendars! (Organization’s) United Way campaign begins (date). As Employee Campaign Coordinator, I look forward to the many fun and interesting activities we have planned. This year’s campaign focuses on fighting to make our community better for every person.
Stay tuned for more details. Meanwhile, learn more about United Way at UnitedWayNorman.org.
Sample CEO Endorsement Letter
Dear (Employee Name):
It’s that time of year again when we have the opportunity to LIVE UNITED. When we come together under the umbrella of our local United Way, we share our blessings with those less fortunate here in our community.
Being a good corporate citizen is a core value here at (organization name). It makes me proud of our team year after year to see so many of you participate in our annual United Way Campaign.
For me, giving to our local United Way makes sense. It impacts so many different organizations and helps people with a variety of different needs. When you give to United Way of Norman, you give people a chance to make a bad situation better. You give them the power to believe in themselves. You give them hope. I encourage you to learn more about how incredibly effective and efficient our local United Way is by visiting online at UnitedWayNorman.org.
Thank you for being a part of our (organization name) team. I appreciate your thoughtful consideration in joining me this year in support of United Way of Norman. Let’s continue to LIVE UNITED and change lives for the better!
Sincerely,
(CEO Signature)
Sample Thank You Letter
Dear (Employee Name):
Thank you for participating in this year’s (Organization Name) United Way Campaign! I’m extremely proud of our team’s efforts to LIVE UNITED!
All of us at (Organization Name) understand that our strength is in our staff. We sincerely appreciate your dedication and willingness to help us continue our tradition of civic involvement through your participation in this year’s drive. Thanks to you and your co-workers, we’ve successfully raised (Insert Amount) this year!
We’re extremely proud of this achievement and all the good it will accomplish through our United Way in the coming year, providing funding to more than three dozen local health and human service programs at more than 30 non-profit agencies.
Thank you again for the care and concern you have shown for others through your participation this year. Certainly, you understand how much more we can do together when we LIVE UNITED.
Sincerely,
(CEO Signature)
By the Numbers
Almost 60,000 People
helped by United Way of Norman donations each year through Community Initiatives and Funded Programs
Stories
Click here to see stories from people who's lives were changed by donations to United Way
Your Gift Matters
Funded Partners
Check out the programs that receive funding from United Way of Norman
Leadership givers are United Way of Norman’s most generous supporters and are an integral part of our efforts to solve community problems and bring measurable, lasting change to the lives of thousands of residents in our community each year. Leadership giving contributions can be combined with a household member, given as a one-time gift or given through payroll deduction.
110% Club
Any person who increases their pledge by 10% from the year before becomes a part of the 110% Club, regardless of gift size
Young Leaders Society
Donors who give an annual gift of $250 or more and are under the age of 40
Leadership Society
Donors who give an annual gift of $500 - $2,499
Legacy Society
Donors who give an annual gift of $2,500 - $4,999
Visionary Society
Donors who give an annual gift of $5,000 - $9,999
Alexis de Tocqueville Society
Donors who give an annual gift of $10,000 or more
A small deduction from each pay period adds up to make a large impact. There are two ways to be a Fair Share giver. Donate 1% of your annual salary or donate one hour’s pay per month.
1% of Annual Salary Example
Annual salary of $30,000
$30,000 x 1% (.01)
$300 Annual Contribution
1 Hour's Pay Per Month Example
Hourly salary of $10
$10 x 12
$120 Annual Contribution
Win Back Lapsed Donors
A lapsed donor is someone who gave the previous year, but did not give during the current fundraising campaign. As you turn in final numbers for your company’s drive you will be given a list of lapsed donors. Once you review the list you will be able to quickly identify whether that person has left your company or was absent on the day of your kick-off.
It is important to follow up with those employees to allow them to participate. This can help your company’s total campaign dollars go up. If the person is no longer employed at your company please let your United Way contact know to help United Way maintain accurate and updated donor information.
New Hires Program
Through employment changes, job loss and moving, United Way incurs contribution losses. A New Hires Program can help replace those contributions. Please help your community by making sure your company holds a New Hires Campaign through which new employees are asked to support United Way at the time of hire. Materials are available for your orientation packets. Email us at info@unitedway-norman.org for info!
Retirees Program
United Way relies on the support of retirees as the needs in the community grow. Many retirees have the support of pensions and benefits; there are many more who live around us who don’t have that security. Ask your CEO and United Way rep to help you get a Retiree Program started.
Recruit a Campaign Team
Don’t rely on one person. Recruit a team to lead your campaign and increase awareness of the United Way campaign.
Set Goals
Set goals for your United Way campaign. And not just for a total amount raised. You could set a goal for participation or leadership givers.
Pick a Theme
Brand your United Way campaign with a theme. You can find ideas here- www.unitedwaynorman.org/toolkit
Campaign Kickoff
Invite your employees to a campaign kickoff. Food or snacks are always a good way to get them there! Bring in a speaker from one of United Way’s Funded Partners.
Support from the Top
The most successful campaigns are the ones with visible support from the CEO. Have them speak at your campaign kickoff. They can also send a company-wide email about supporting United Way.
Culture of Giving
Create excitement in your office and make sure employees have fun while raising funds for a great cause!
Target Commuters
Does your company have people who live in Norman but work in another city? Send them a letter encouraging them to designate their United Way gift back to the community they live in. Commuters can use designation code 7100 to give where they live.
Incentives to Give
Most successful campaigns include an incentive to give. A few examples :
- Paid time off for Fair Share and Leadership Givers.
- Fair Share givers are eligible for a daily gift card drawing
- Prizes given to donors such as a scooter, gas gift cards and grocery gift cards
- Employees who turn in their pledge card at the Fair Share level on the first day are eligible to be entered into a drawing for a prize
Fundraisers
All of our most successful campaigns do a number of fundraisers in addition to collecting pledges from employees. These range from chili cookoffs to pie in the face contests to gift basket auctions.
As a Company Coordinator, you encounter some questions about United Way that are hard to answer. We have listed the most frequently asked questions below to help you. Of course, if you come across another question that you cannot answer, please don’t hesitate to contact your United Way of Norman representative. We would rather be asked tough questions than leave people with a misunderstanding or misconception of United Way.
What is United Way’s overhead Ratio?
United Way of Norman is committed to responsible stewardship of your donations. More than 89-cents of every dollar goes directly to those most in need. United Way has taken many steps in the past year to reduce expenses and our overhead ratio, defined as fundraising and administration expenses divided by total revenue. Based on the current IRS 990 Form, United Way of Norman's overhead is 10.74%. That is well below the Better Business Bureau standard for nonprofit organizations, which is 35% or less.
Are all United Ways the same?
No. There are more than 1,200 separate, autonomous United Ways. United Way of Norman is one of 19 United Ways in Oklahoma. We have our own local Board of Directors, which establishes policies. We support United Way Worldwide with dues that help provide training and national advertising, but it has no authority over your local United Way.
Does United Way fund abortions?
No. No single United Way anywhere in the country has ever provided funding for abortion services. The abortion issue is a divisive one on which United Way takes no position.
My friend wasn’t helped, so I’m not giving!
Last year, United Way of Norman helped thousands of people. However, there are still people who will not be served due to the limited funds that our partners have available. That is why it is so important to participate.
Can I designate my gift?
Yes! We allow designations to support programs of any of our current funded partners. You find those partners and their designation codes in the United Way of Norman brochure. Designations not meeting requirements will be redirected to United Way of Norman's Community Fund.
Is giving to United Way voluntary?
Yes! Our United Way has a written policy against coercion.
Why do some United Way partners charge fees?
United Way funds provide only a portion of the money agencies need to provide services. Some agencies charge sliding scale fees so they can help more people.
I never use agency services - why should I give?
You never know when you, a member of your family or a neighbor may need a United Way service due to job loss, loss of a loved one, illness, disabilities or family problems. Your gift helps ensure that United Way services are available to as many people as possible when they’re needed the most.
This one-page guide includes information about donating and where funds are used, as well as a form to donate.
Donation Form (Click to Download)
Campaign Prize Flyer (Click to Download)
Click here to view the 2022 Campaign Video, Giving Changes Everything.
Click here to download the Campaign Brochure.
Click here to download the United Way of Norman Campaign Report.