Sample Communications
Communication is key to the success of any workplace campaign. Effective, clear,
targeted, timely and engaging messages will help you reach your 2015 campaign
goals. To help you get started, United Way of the Alberta Capital Region has
prepared a series of templates. Feel free to adapt these templates to suit your
workplace, your CEO/President, and your colleagues.
Campaign Letters
Sample Campaign CEO Endorsement Memo ..................................................................................... 2
Sample Campaign Endorsement Joint Union/Management Campaign ....................................... 3
Sample Leadership Giving Campaign CEO Endrosement .............................................................. 4
Campaign Launch Message – With Leadership Ask ......................................................................... 5
Campaign Launch Message – Without Leadership Ask .................................................................. 6
Campaign Launch Message – Current/Target Leaders .................................................................... 7
Campaign Launch Message – Retiree Letter ...................................................................................... 8
Reminder E-mails – Standard Campaign Update Memo .................................................................. 9
Reminder E-mails – Early Bird Draw ................................................................................................... 10
Reminder E-mails – Deadline ................................................................................................................ 11
Reminder E-mails – Campaign Extension ......................................................................................... 12
Sample Campaign Wrap-up CEO ......................................................................................................... 13
1
Your organization’s
logo here
Sample Campaign CEO
Endorsement Memo
(Can also be sent as an e-mail message)
To: The Employees of [ORGANIZATION NAME]
From: [CEO/Union President name(s)]
Date:
Re: 2015 United Way Campaign
Dear [EMPLOYEE’S NAME]:
Each year, our organization asks employees to support United Way of the Alberta Capital
Region. We do this because of the confidence we have in United Way’s ability to make a
real and lasting difference in our community. United Way’s expert staff ensure donor
dollars are invested where they will have the greatest impact, improving lives and
strengthening our community as a whole.
Poverty is one of society’s most complex problems. More than 120,000 people in the
Alberta Capital Region live in poverty – 40,000 of them are children. But even complex
problems have solutions. Change starts when we work together.
We at [ORGANIZATION NAME] are very proud of our United Way track record. Last
year, we raised a total of [$ 2014 CAMPAIGN TOTAL] and we hope to exceed that
amount in 2015. To do this, we need your support. When you receive your United Way
pledge form and information brochure, I urge you to review it carefully, complete it
promptly and speak to your canvasser if you have any questions.
Thank you for your support.
[CEO/Union President name(s)]
[CEO/Union President titles(s)]
2
Your organization’s and
union’s logo here
Sample Campaign Endorsement Joint
Union/Management Campaign
(Can also be sent as an e-mail message)
To: The Employees of [ORGANIZATION NAME]
From: [CEO/Union President name(s)]
Date:
Re: 2015 United Way Campaign
Dear [EMPLOYEE’S NAME]:
Each year, our organization asks employees to support United Way of the Alberta Capital
Region. We do this because of the confidence we have in United Way’s ability to make a
real and lasting difference in our community. United Way’s professional staff ensure donor
dollars are invested where they will have the greatest impact, improving lives and
strengthening our community as a whole.
Poverty is one of society’s most complex problems, but even complex problems have
solutions. As in previous years, we support a joint union/management approach to the
campaign because we believe that the only effective way to find solutions is by working
together. The greater our collective action, the greater the impact we can make. United
Way of the Alberta Capital Region and over 50 social service partners deliver more than 80
programs, covering urgent needs and long-term development.
We at [ORGANIZATION NAME] are very proud of our United Way track record. Last
year, we raised a total of [$2014CAMPAIGN TOTAL] and we hope to exceed that amount
in 2015. To do this, we need your support. When you receive your United Way pledge
form and information brochure, I urge you to review it carefully, complete it promptly and
speak to your canvasser if you have any questions.
Thank you for your support.
[CEO/Union President name(s)]
[CEO/Union President titles(s)]
[For unionized workplaces —you may wish to add logos of the unions involved in the
workplace campaign to the letter as well.]
3
Your organization’s
logo here
Sample Leadership Giving Campaign
CEO Endorsement
To: The Employees of [ORGANIZATION NAME]
From: [CEO/Union President name(s)]
Date:
Re: 2015 United Way Campaign
Dear [EMPLOYEE’S NAME]:
I am pleased to announce the beginning of our United Way Campaign. [ORGANIZATION
NAME] wholeheartedly believes that United Way provides us with the most effective way
to invest in our community, reaching those who are most in need.
At [ORGANIZATION NAME], we care about the community where we live and work. In
addition to [ECC NAME] leading our overall campaign efforts this year, we will also be
putting an emphasis on the United Way’s Leadership giving program. The Leadership
giving program provides a strong foundation each year for the United Way of the Alberta
Capital Region.
Generous contributions to United Way turn into major community building efforts that
change lives. These efforts help lift people out of poverty, build financial stability and
independence, create safe neighbourhoods and support children’s healthy development
from the early years through to high school graduation.
Our Leadership giving campaign will be led by [LEADERSHIP COORDINATOR
NAME]. Please consider participating at the Leadership giving level with a donation of
$1,200 or more. If you are already a Leadership donor, please consider increasing your gift
this year. By supporting the United Way as a Leader, you will be joining the tradition of
other community leaders who have stepped forward to build our region, invest in the next
generation and leave a proud legacy.
Poverty is one of society’s most complex problems. But with over 50 social service
partners, delivering more than 80 programs, your donation to United Way goes farther and
wider than any other charitable investment you can make. Please join me in supporting
United Way as a Leadership donor.
Thank you,
[CEO/Union President name(s)]
[CEO/Union President titles(s)]
4
Your organization’s
logo here
Campaign Launch Message –
With Leadership Ask
To: The Employees of [ORGANIZATION NAME]
From: [EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGN CHAIR]
Date:
Re: 2015 United Way Campaign
Dear [EMPLOYEE’S NAME]:
Beginning [FILL IN TIMING HERE: E.G., NEXT WEEK], we’ll be asking you to support an
organization that touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in our community –
United Way.
When you give to United Way, you make a significant difference in our community. Your
support is targeted to those areas that are crucial for our community to thrive: supporting
people as they transition from a life of poverty into one full of opportunity and possibility;
helping to build stronger neighbourhoods where people can live healthy lives; and investing in
our shared future by giving kids every opportunity to reach their full potential.
You and [ORGANIZATION NAME] are part of the same community. We’re all in this
together, and when we tackle shared problems together we can make a bigger impact than we
could on our own.
Please support United Way and be an important part of their work to build a better community
for everyone who lives and works here. We will be launching our campaign on [CAMPAIGN
START DATE]. Last year, we raised a total of [2014 CAMPAIGN $ TOTAL] and we hope
to exceed that amount in 2015 by reaching a goal of [2015 $ GOAL]. This goal shows our
commitment to helping create opportunities for a better life for everyone in our community.
That is why your Leadership gift of $1,200 or more to United Way is so important to our
community’s health and well-being. With United Way, we can move beyond managing the
symptoms of poverty and focus on solutions to eliminate it.
When you receive your personal United Way pledge package [OR IF USING
UnitedWay@work “your donation link by e-mail”], please review it carefully and consider
making a donation.. Please speak to your United Way ambassador if you have any questions.
I hope you’ll join me this year in becoming part of a meaningful approach to change lives in
our community. Poverty is solvable. Together, we are part of the solution.
Sincerely,
[EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGN CHAIR]
5
Your organization’s
logo here
Campaign Launch Message –
Without Leadership Ask
To: The Employees of [ORGANIZATION NAME]
From: Employee Campaign Chair
Date:
Re: 2015 United Way Campaign
Dear [EMPLOYEE’S NAME]:
Beginning [FILL IN TIMING HERE: E.G., NEXT WEEK], we’ll be asking you to support an
organization that touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in our community –
United Way.
When you give to United Way, you make a significant difference in our community. Your
support is targeted to those areas that are crucial for our community to thrive: supporting
people as they transition from a life of poverty into one full of opportunity and possibility;
helping to build stronger neighbourhoods where people can live healthy lives; and investing in
our shared future by giving kids every opportunity to reach their full potential.
You and [ORGANIZATION NAME] are part of the same community. We’re all in this
together, and when we tackle shared problems together we can make a bigger impact than we
could on our own.
Please support United Way and be an important part of their work to build a better community
for everyone who lives and works here. We will be launching our campaign on [CAMPAIGN
START DATE]. Last year, we raised a total of [2014 CAMPAIGN $ TOTAL] and we hope
to exceed that amount in 2015 by reaching a goal of [2015 $ GOAL]. This goal shows our
commitment to helping create opportunities for a better life for everyone in our community.
To do that, we need your support. When you receive your personal United Way pledge
package [OR IF USING UnitedWay@work “your donation link by e-mail”], please review it
carefully and consider making a donation. Please speak to your United Way ambassador if
you have any questions.
I hope you’ll join me this year in becoming part of a meaningful approach to change lives in
our community. Poverty is solvable. Together, we are part of the solution.
Sincerely,
[EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGN CHAIR]
6
Your organization’s
logo here
Campaign Launch Message –
Current/Target Leaders
To: The Employees of [ORGANIZATION NAME]
From: [EMPLOYEE (or LEADERSHIP) CAMPAIGN CHAIR]
Date:
Re: 2015 United Way Campaign
Dear [EMPLOYEE’S NAME]:
Year after year, [ORGANIZATION NAME HERE] employees have generously supported our
community through our annual United Way campaign I am so proud of our employees’
participation and commitment to making a difference in the lives of so many.
This year, we have set an ambitious goal to raise [$ GOAL]. Your involvement is crucial to
help us reach that goal so United Way can continue its important work.
When you give at the Leadership level of $1,200 or more, you make an even bigger impact on
the lives of people throughout our community. Here are just a few examples of the kinds of
things a Leadership gift can do:






$1,200 will pay for five women to attend a ten week program to address the impacts of
domestic violence
$1,300 provides support programs for parents of youth with mental health issues
$1,500 provides baby supplies for seven families, for three months.
$2,500 assists six at-risk youth gain and maintain meaningful employment
$5,000 provides house and yard work assistance for over 150 seniors
$7,500 provides a hot nutritious lunch to 2000 students in inner-city schools
Please join me by supporting United Way as a Leadership donor because poverty is solvable.
Sincerely,
[EMPLOYEE (or LEADERSHIP) CAMPAIGN CHAIR]
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Your organization’s
logo here
Campaign Launch
Message – Retiree Letter
To: The Retirees of [ORGANIZATION NAME]
From: [RETIREE CHAIR]
Date:
Re: 2015 United Way Campaign
Dear [RETIREE’S NAME]:
All employees, both current and retired, should be proud of our organization’s tradition of
supporting United Way. It has always been a great source of pride to me.
For more than 70 years, contributions to United Way have turned into major community
building efforts that change lives. These efforts help lift people out of poverty, build
financial stability and independence, create safe neighbourhoods and personal well-being,
and support children through the early years to high school graduation.
Many of us volunteer our time to the community because we feel it’s important to give
back. I volunteered to head up this year's campaign for retired employees because I truly
believe that supporting United Way is the best way to make a difference in other people's
lives.
With the largest network of partners in the region, your donation to United Way will get
results, going farther and wider than any other charitable investment you can make. Please
join me by supporting United Way and complete the enclosed pledge form and return it in
the envelope provided.
If you have any questions, please call me at [PHONE NUMBER] or e-mail me at [E-MAIL
ADDRESS]. I would be delighted to answer any questions you may have. On behalf of the
2015[ORGANIZATION NAME]’s United Way Campaign Committee, thank you for your
help.
Sincerely,
[RETIREE CHAIR NAME}
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Your organization’s
logo here
Reminder E-mails – Standard
Campaign Update Memo
To: The Employees of [ORGANIZATION NAME]
From: [EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGN CHAIR]
Date:
Re: 2015 United Way Campaign Results
Dear [EMPLOYEE’S NAME]:
We are pleased to announce that our 2015 United Way of the Alberta Capital
Region campaign has successfully raised [DOLLARS TO DATE] to date or
[PERCENTAGE OF GOAL]% of our total goal of $[2015 GOAL]. We thank
everyone who has generously donated so far. Your gift will help make a
difference in the lives of many.
If you have not yet made your donation, we kindly ask that you consider the
impact your generosity would have on the people who depend on United Way
programs and services across our community. Thank you for your support.
Poverty is solvable. Because even complex problems have solutions.
Thank you,
[EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGN CHAIR]
9
Your organization’s
logo here
Reminder E-mails –
Early Bird Draw
To: The Employees of [ORGANIZATION NAME]
From: [Employee Campaign Chair/Leadership Coordinator]
Date:
Re: 2015 United Way Campaign
Dear [EMPLOYEE’S NAME]:
[ORGANIZATION NAME]’s 2015 United Way campaign is off to a great start, and I hope
you are having fun participating in our campaign activities. Stay up-to-date by checking
[INSTRUCTIONS OR CALENDAR OF EVENTS] daily for our calendar of events.
Today, I wanted to remind you about our Early Bird Draw. If you haven't made your pledge
yet, I encourage you to make your decision to give. The deadline to enter is [EARLY BIRD
DEADLINE].
If you donate now, you’ll be entered to win:
 [**FILL IN PRIZE DETAILS HERE**]
 [**FILL IN PRIZE DETAILS HERE**]
 [**FILL IN PRIZE DETAILS HERE**]
These are great prizes, but the best reward is knowing that, thanks to your generosity, vital
services and programs are being delivered to families and individuals in our community.
Giving to United Way is easy and will take you less than two minutes. Please make your
decision to give by [“filling out your pledge form” <OR IF USING UNITEDWAY@WORK
“click your personalized donation link”] before time runs out.
Good luck in the Early Bird Draw!
Thank you,
[Employee Campaign Chair/Leadership Coordinator]
10
Your organization’s
logo here
Reminder E-mails – Deadline
To: The Employees of [ORGANIZATION NAME]
From: [Employee Campaign Chair/Leadership Coordinator]
Date:
Re: 2015 United Way Campaign
Dear [EMPLOYEE’S NAME]:
[ORGANIZATION NAME]’s 2015 United Way campaign is off to a great start! Already,
[CURRENT PARTICIPATION RATE]% of our colleagues have participated, and together
we've [REACHED {GOAL PERCENTAGE}% OF OUR INITIAL GOAL -OR- RAISED
${DOLLARS PLEDGED} FOR OUR COMMUNITY]!
Thank you to everyone who has already participated. With the largest network of partners in
the region, your donation will get results, going farther and wider than any other charitable
investment you can make.
If you haven't made your pledge yet, I hope you will consider joining your [ORGANIZATION
NAME] colleagues in making a gift to United Way. We’re only [$ REMAINING TO GOAL]
away from our goal of [$TOTAL GOAL], and with your help, I know we can make it. This
goal shows our commitment to helping create opportunities for a better life for everyone in our
community.
Our campaign ends on [CAMPAIGN END DATE]; please don’t miss the deadline to give!
Change starts with us.
Thank you,
[Employee Campaign Chair/Leadership Coordinator]
11
Your organization’s
logo here
Reminder E-mails – Campaign
Extension
To: The Employees of [ORGANIZATION NAME]
From: [Employee Campaign Chair/Leadership Coordinator]
Date:
Re: 2015 United Way Campaign
Dear [EMPLOYEE’S NAME]:
We’ve been getting questions about whether there is still time left to participate in
[ORGANIZATION NAME]’s 2015 United Way campaign.
I’m happy to tell you that YES, you can still donate today.
We’re about [% REMAINING TO GOAL] of the way to achieving our goal of $ GOAL
HERE**]. This goal shows our commitment to helping create opportunities for a better life for
everyone in our community, and we need your support.
Our United Way campaign has been extended to [NEW CAMPAIGN END DATE]. In the
days that remain, I encourage you to visit myUnitedWay.ca to learn more about United Way
and the important work they are doing throughout our community.
If you haven't made your pledge yet, I hope you will consider joining your [ORGANIZATION
NAME] colleagues in making a gift to United Way.
Poverty is a complex problem, but it is solvable. We are all part of the solution.
Change starts with us.
Thank you,
[Employee Campaign Chair/Leadership Coordinator]
12
Your organization’s
logo here
Sample Campaign Wrap-up CEO
To: The Employees of [ORGANIZATION NAME]
From: [CEO/Union President name(s)]
Date:
Re: 2015 United Way Campaign
Dear [EMPLOYEE’S NAME]:
As our United Way campaign wraps up, I want to express my personal thanks to everyone
who responded so generously through their volunteer efforts and financial gifts.
Thanks to your commitment and dedication, we had a very successful campaign, raising
[$AMOUNT] to date. This brings our [NUMBER OF YEARS] year total to
[$CUMULATIVE AMOUNT]. I’m so proud to be associated with [ORGANIZATION]
and with all of you.
Change started here and it started with us.
Thank you,
[CEO/Union President name(s)]
[CEO/Union President’s Title]
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