This summer, United Way held a breakfast event for 55 CEOs and executives from 35 local companies. One of the goals of this meeting was to brainstorm and share ways how companies can engage their employees in United Way campaigns. Their ideas are listed below.

Theme/Communication

• Have a campaign theme (e.g., football)
• Shorten enrollment period to discourage procrastination on filling out a pledge form
• Share United Way impact through email communication
• Continue employee communication with United Way “fun facts”

Leadership/HR

• Company leadership donates toward a company match program
• Personal CEO visit to each worksite
• Placing pledge form in new hire orientation packets
• Award an extra day of vacation if an employee gives a minimum of 1% of their salary

Prizes

• Offer incentive prizes for completed pledge forms
• Give out raffle tickets at pledge time (more tickets awarded the earlier the form is completed)

Events

• Have food at United Way awareness events
• Hold events at various community buildings
• Bring in a partner agency to speak at events
• Tailgate party or employee golf outing for kickoff
• Paintball or dunk tank for executives or company owners

Find more ideas for your United Way campaign here.