Leadership campaign Best Practices:

Developing a strategic plan for identifying, cultivating and soliciting leadership donors is critical to a strong effort. Below are steps for success:

• Secure your CEO’s endorsement
  Your organization's Leadership Society program will be especially effective if your CEO or local senior manager provides visible support of the effort throughout your campaign.
• Identify a Leadership Giving Chair
  Your CEO or local senior manager should identify a respected and enthusiastic senior executive or manager to spearhead this effort. They also need to be a leadership giver.
• Identify Leadership Giving Prospects
  Invite some or all of your organization's employees to become Leadership Society members. You may want to target all employees at or above a particular management or salary level. However, a general guideline for a potential Leadership member is any employee who earns a minimum of $50,000 a year or who has given $500-$999 in past campaigns. Most companies underestimate who might be willing to give at this level.
• Make the Ask
  Generate enthusiasm for your Leadership Giving campaign by making a unique ask. You may decide to host a special event such as a breakfast, luncheon at an agency or happy hour where information can be presented about leadership giving. Or you may choose to include the leadership giving ask at an existing management meeting. Brainstorm with your United Way staff partner for ideas that will lead to a fabulous and meaningful ask! Don’t forget to follow-up with prospects prior to the end of the campaign.
• Develop a retention strategy for all non-renewed Leadership givers with your United Way staff partner.
• Say Thank-You
  Please remember to thank these generous contributors. Some companies host a special thank you reception or happy hour. Others provide special tickets, incentives or goodies throughout the year as an acknowledgement. Also, let United Way recognize and communicate with your Leadership Givers throughout the year.