3. Agenda
• Why Have Events?
• Choosing an Event
• Event Planning
• Event Timing
• Things to Consider
• Campaign Themes
• Events to Promote Education and Awareness
• Q&A
4. Why Have Events?
• Special events can be an exciting component of your United Way
workplace campaign.
• Events can raise funds, create awareness, reward teamwork and
encourage friendly competition for all.
• They are a great way of helping your employees get to know
United Way and each other and can provide a sometimes-needed
boost to your campaign.
• They are meant to be fun and can be an effective tool when
properly planned and implemented.
5. Choosing an Event
• Quality is definitely more important than quantity
• Select events that:
have a proven track record
involve as many employees as possible
will be cost-effective in terms of time and energy
• Remember that special events can be very resource heavy and in
the most successful campaigns, only 10% or less of the total
dollars raised come from special events
• Always keep in mind that special events should compliment your
campaign, not replace it.
6. Choosing an Event…cont’d
UWYR Workplace Giving
Corporate
30%
Employee
Donations over
$1,000
19%
Employee
Donations below
$1,000
33%
Special Events
17%
7. Event Planning
• Sound logistics planning is absolutely crucial to the success of any
special event
• Be prepared to spend 65% of your time planning, 20% of your time
executing and 15% of your time on wrap up and analysis.
• Even the most perfectly planned events have had disappointing
results because no one knew about them. When your event is
targeted towards your employees, it is essential they know about it!
8. Event Timing
• For an event to achieve the highest level of success, it is critical
that they are conducted after employees are canvassed.
• When planning an event for your workplace, make sure to choose
a date when most people will be in the office.
• If your event is simply intended to create awareness, any time is a
good time to hold the event.
9. Things to Consider
• What do you hope to accomplish with this event?
• Has a similar event been held at your organization before?
• How much time will you need to organize this event?
• What are your resources?
• What is your budget?
• Do you require a licence or permit?
10. Campaign Themes
Academy Awards If I could change the world… Real Heroes Work Here (Superhero theme)
Austin Powers IMAGINE Safari
Beach Bash Island Luau SCORE for United Way (Sports/Game Theme)
Big Buck Round Up (Western theme) Mardi Gras Star Trek
Bond, James Bond Mexican Fiesta Survivor
Canadian Idol Miami Vice Teaming Up for Tomorrow
Carnival/Country Fair Mission Possible Thanksgiving
Circus Movie Theme The 50s (or 60s, 70s, 80s, etc.)
CSI Multiculturalism The Apprentice
Deal or No Deal? Mystery Theme The Dream Team
Gilligan’s Island Oktoberfest Toga
Giving is Groovy (70’s theme) Olympics Trading Spaces
Halloween Pirates Tropical Adventure
Health and Wellness Pitch In & Give Your gift works magic
Hollywood (pick an era) Reaching the Big Top (Circus Theme) or…create your own
11. Using Events to Promote Participation
and Awareness
Benchmarks for fundraising costs:
Direct mail acquisition 90 cents to $1.25
Product sales 35 cents
Telephone solicitation 32 cents
Special events 50 cents
Planned giving 25 cents
Capital campaigns 10 to 20 cents
Workplace giving 7 cents
Cited in Ryerson Polytechnic University's Centre for Voluntary Sector Studies. Sources: Association for Healthcare
Philanthropy (AHP), Librarian Erica Heftmann, reported in Canadian Fundraiser, July 31, 1996 and Canada West
Foundation survey of 1,516 charities (excluding religious groups and private foundations) reported in The Globe and
Mail, August 27, 1996.
12. Using Events to Promote Participation
and Awareness
• There are many ways to incorporate special events into your
pledge form drive. People are competitive. They like to win or at
least feel like they have won. Activity organizers have long known
that giving people the chance to win something is a great way to
generate more participation.
• Challenge yourself and your committee to come up with creative
ways to incorporate events into your pledge campaign.
13. Using Events to Promote Participation
and Awareness
• Come up with events that focus on learning about United Way and
our funded agencies
• United Way campaign time is a great way to get together with
fellow employees to get to know each other a little better. Try to
have at least 1 event that focuses on team building
• Try to think outside the box when planning events. Take some of
your tried, tested and true events and add a little spin.
14. Q&A
• Knowing what you know now about special events, what ideas will
you incorporate into your 2012 Campaign?
• Going forward, what will you change about future events?
• What was the most helpful portion of this presentation?
• Open discussion
