SET THE BAR EVEN HIGHER WITH
LEADERSHIP GIVING LEADERSHIP GIVING IS IMPORTANT Leadership givers — contributors of $1,000 or more to the United Way Campaign — can provide a significant boost to the success of your workplace campaign and our community. A leadership giving program also has a measurable, lasting impact on children and families in our region. United Way’s recognition programs and publications make it easy to thank outstanding contributors in your workplace.
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP All gifts to United Way provide solutions that create real community impact. Being a Leader in Giving provides even more opportunities to engage in our work. • Receive updates and join conversations around issues that matter to all of us. • Network with concerned community leaders, like yourself and your colleages. • Volunteer at projects designed to make a lasting difference in our community.
YOU CAN RAISE MORE LEADERSHIP DOLLARS In the checklist to the right are a few best practices to help you develop your United Way leadership giving strategy. Also, United Way staff is available to answer any questions you may have in order to make the process as easy as possible.
LEADERSHIP GIVING LEVELS Tocqueville Society Member: Gift of $10,000 or more annually Constitution Society Member: • Colleague –$1,000 to $2,499 annually • Framer–$2,500 to $4,999 annually • Founder–$5,000 to $9,999 annually “HELPING OTHERS...ISN’T THAT WHAT LIFE IS ABOUT? Through United Way we have the unique ability to improve current conditions within our community by offering a year-round commitment to open our hearts and be a part of positive, lasting change for everyone. You can give, advocate, volunteer and inspire others to do the same! That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED.” - Paula K. Kern, The Phoenix Companies, Inc., United Way Tocqueville Society member and Leadership Coordinator
Recruit a leadership coordinator or leadership team. Current and prospective leadership givers will respond best if approached by fellow leadership givers. For this reason, please consider a leadership coordinator who is already giving, or plans to give, at the leadership level. If your organization has more than one leadership giver and several prospects, consider recruiting a group of people for your leadership team. Personal outreach is the most critical component to a successful leadership giving campaign.
Identify your prospects. Prospects may include management, senior staff, and those who currently give close to the leadership level. Your payroll department may be able to help you identify those whose contributions total between $750 and $999. A small increase in their annual gift will turn these employees into leadership givers!
Determine your approach. A good place to start is to gain support from your CEO or top management. A letter from a senior executive to current and prospective leadership givers is an effective way to encourage gifts of $1,000 or more. Personal contact from your leadership coordinator is key to retaining and growing leadership gifts.
Inquire about a matching gifts program. Many contributors are able to reach the leadership level through a matching gift from their company. If your workplace has a matching gifts program, be sure to mention it when you are asking for a pledge.
Ask about combined household contributions of $1,000 or more. If a contributor and his or her spouse or partner make a combined annual gift of $1,000 or more, they both qualify for recognition as leadership givers.
Show special appreciation You can thank leadership givers with special receptions, a poster in your company’s lobby, or a special feature in your corporate newsletter. You can also provide a leadership pin or other symbol that can be worn with pride. For more information and ideas, please ask your United Way representative. United Way also has stories to share about the impact gifts have on improving the lives of children and families.
To learn more about starting or growing a leadership giving program in your workplace, please contact us at (860) 493-6800 or uwconsociety@unitedwayinc.org Visit unitedwayinc.org/leadersingiving