Join a select group of organizations and individuals whose leadership and enthusiasm will make a difference in the lives of people in our community who need help.

There is strength in numbers. People like you, who give your valuable time, talent, and effort, truly make United Way work for all of us.

United Way can also help you to develop an employee volunteer program based on your organization's characteristics and needs. Volunteerism can boost employee morale and self-esteem, and is a great tool to further develop your staff members' skills.

Here are several ways to participate in your local United Way.

• Be a part of the growing number of organizations running workplace campaigns in the Capital Region. We'll provide you with all the support and expertise you will need.
• Contribute
• Serve as a member of the Community Investment Committee
• Lead a Campaign as a Campaign Coordinator
• Serve on a Campaign Support Committee (communications, promotional events, etc.)
• Lend your talent as a Loaned Executive
• Participate in a company United Hands on Capitaland Day of Caring Event. Organizations can assemble teams that will perform community service projects. There are also various Hands On Capitaland sponsorship opportunities available.
• Sponsor and Underwriting various United Way programs and events--provide your organization with very visible opportunities to support our community building efforts.

Contact United Way at (518) 456-2200. We will meet with you to match your interests and talents with the right volunteer opportunity.

Ways a Business Can Contribute

Making a Corporate Financial Contribution

Corporations and businesses are invited to make a financial contribution, large or small, to the United Way of NENY. There are several ways you can make a contribution:

• Become a Donor: You can write a check for any amount as a donation to our Community Care Fund. Your company will be listed as a donor in our publications.
• Match Employee Campaign: If you are running a workplace campaign, you can provide a contribution by matching the employees' gifts dollar for dollar. This is often an incentive for employees to give.
• Conduct a Fundraiser: Your company can hold a book fair, bake sale, or any other fund-raising event. You can then donate a percentage of the proceeds to our Community Care Fund.
• Sponsor an Event or Underwrite an Activity: You can sponsor or underwrite a United Way event or activity. Your company will be recognized for any type of sponsorship.
  Examples of sponsorship opportunities include:
  
  • purchase tickets at United Way Night at the Pepsi Arena
  • underwrite the cost of T-shirts for our United Way Hands on Capitaland Day of Caring
  • sponsor one of our publications by printing it in-house or covering the cost
  • buy seats at local community functions for United Way staff to attend and network
  • allow the United Way of NENY to use your facility for an event, free of charge

To make a contribution or obtain more information, contact us at (518) 456-2200 or e-mail info@unitedwayofneny.org.

Run a Workplace Campaign

Running a workplace campaign is an excellent, and efficient, way to contribute to the community. Read the following to learn more:

The Elements of a Successful Campaign

• Involve senior management. The leaders of your organization should be role models in campaign participation.
• Select a Campaign Committee. Recruit representatives from management, labor and major departments to help.
• Plan the Campaign with United Way staff. Good planning is an essential element to a good campaign.
• United Way staff can offer you many ideas and assistance.
• Recognize contributors. Say thank you to employees.

Campaign Resources Available through United Way of NENY To Improve Your Success

• Your United Way campaign account manager.
• Dynamic speakers for your employee groups.
• Our 7-10-minute campaign video.
• Websites. Place a link on your intranet to this site or our community website, www.unitedwayofneny.org.
• Posters to heighten awareness of the campaign.
• We will coordinate an on-site seminar for your employees on a health or human service topic.
• Encourage your employees to take an agency tour.
• Allow United Way to hold an agency fair at your worksite for agencies to connect with your employees.
• Offer incentives.

A Sample Campaign Plan

• Week 1 - Start at the Top
  
  • Solicit senior management for their endorsement of the campaign.
  • Obtain approval for holding training for campaign workers and having a company kick-off event.
  • Make arrangements for payroll deduction, if your company chooses.
  • Select members of a Campaign Committee.
  • Create a strategy for your campaign, such as a theme, special events, or incentives. Establish a goal.
  • Meet with your United Way campaign account manager to plan, coordinate events and arrange for appropriate supplies.
    
• Week 2 - Rally Your Troops
  
  • Publicize your campaign, and kick-off event if appropriate, through company publications, intranet, e-mail, bulletin boards or other means.
  • Recruit and hold training sessions for those individuals who will help in the campaign.
  • Distribute a campaign endorsement letter from your chief executive officer that states your goal.
    
• Week 3 - Ready, Set, Go!
  
  • Schedule a companywide event or individual department events. Events include rallies, agency fairs, speakers, agency tours, etc.
  • Distribute and collect signed pledge cards.
    
• Week 4 - Meet that Goal
  
  • Thank all donors and distribute incentives.
  • Finalize and publicize campaign results and complete reports for United Way.
  • Thank employees that worked on the campaign and present recognition awards.

Methods of Contributing

• Employee Payroll Deduction
• Direct Billing
• Cash or Check Contribution
• Gifts of Stock
• Remembering United Way in your Will or Estate Plans

How to Say "Thank You"

• Deliver cards with a piece of candy to donors.
• Recognize donors with a certificate, plaque or other gift item.
• Hold a special event for donors, such as a thank-you breakfast, an ice cream social, employee picnic or victory rally.
• Offer a public thank you, such as a banner in a high-visibility area or free coffee on a workday.
• Have your chief executive officer write a thank-you letter