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It is important to note that many individuals make contributions well
above their suggested giving level.
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Solicit all past donors giving at the $500 to $999 level.
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Prepare and personalize each pledge card and all solicitation materials.
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Set a
goal for the Leadership Giving Campaign.
Include both
dollars to raise and number of leadership givers.
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Announce
leadership results as your campaign begins.
5.
Schedule the Leadership Campaign
Schedule your
organization’s Leadership Giving campaign one or two weeks prior to the
kick-off of your general campaign. By announcing the results early,
Leadership Givers can set the tone for the rest of your employees,
encouraging and inspiring others to give.
Determine the best way to “make the ask” in your organization:
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Host a
Leadership Giving event in a special location such as a country club,
hotel or unique location at your organization. Ask the CEO to endorse
the campaign and ask an employee to give a testimonial. Invite a United
Way presenter to speak about the impact of a Leadership gift. (See
“Sample Leadership Giving Meeting Agenda” for more specific ideas for
this type of event).
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Have a
Leadership Giver within your organization, preferably the CEO or the
Leadership Giving Coordinator, give brief presentations at existing
meetings.
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Have a
Leadership Giver(s) within your organization, preferably including the
CEO or the Leadership Giving Coordinator visit with past Leadership
Givers and Leadership Giving prospects one-on-one.
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Promote matching challenge grants from various foundations that maximize
an individual leadership gift.
6. Making the Ask
The ask is the most important part of the Leadership Giving
campaign
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Select
the best person(s) within your organization to extend the
invitation to become a Leadership Giver. Because people give to people,
assign a person who is perceived to be the one that the potential donor
would most appreciate making the invitation.
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The
Leadership Giving Chair or Leadership Team should meet with assigned
donors and prospects to personally thank them for their past gift,
invite them to make a new or increased gift, answer any questions and
reinforce the value of their contribution.
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Present
the benefits of membership in the Torch Society. Through leadership
gifts, individuals make a measurable difference in our community, set
an example for others, and enjoy a range of other benefits:
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Impact -
Leadership giving plays a central role in enabling the United Way of
Summit County to make positive changes, create meaningful results and
provide financial support for community solutions.
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Personal Satisfaction
- Leadership givers
know their contribution helps provide positive solutions to the
community's most pressing needs.
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Leadership -
Leadership Giving programs bring together community champions that set a
powerful example for others to follow.
o
Individual Recognition
- Leadership givers are
recognized for their contribution in a variety of ways including being
eligible to be published in the widely distributed annual Leadership
Giving directory.
o
Positive
Company Image - The leadership giver’s company is seen as a
community leader because of the high level of commitment and
philanthropy of its employees through leadership giving.
o
Network Development
- Exclusive Torch
Society events offer opportunities to expand business networks and meet
like-minded philanthropic leaders.
o
Special Communications
- As a key
stakeholder, leadership givers are kept apprised of important issues
facing our community and how United Way of Summit County is working to
bring about positive change.
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See “How
to Ask For a Leadership Gift” for more specific ideas and techniques for
“Making the Ask”
7. Follow Up
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Follow
up with all assigned colleagues until each pledge card is returned.
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Make
it easy for people to give. Ask them if they have questions regarding
United Way - Staff will be available to answer any questions you can
not.
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Be
positive that each prospect receives a clear and direct ask and that you
receive an answer - yes or no.
8. Thank
Everyone
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Send a
thank you note to contributors and to members of your solicitation team.
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Send a
note of thanks to all leadership contributors, signed by your CEO and/or
your Leadership Giving Chair.
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Send a
note of thanks to prospects who did not make a leadership gift. Thank
them for their time and/or gift of a lesser amount. Remember that
leadership campaigns are successful when they are built on a foundation
of relationships.
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Host a
reception to acknowledge and thank leadership donors.
Additionally, United Way sends each leadership contributor a personal
thank you and publishes names in a recognition roster.
9. Report
Names and Final Results to United Way
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Notify
United Way of proper spelling of names and correct giving information
for each Leadership contributor. United Way will use your list as a
check against pledge cards.
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United
Way maintains a strict policy of confidentiality and only after donor
approval, are leadership contributors listed in printed materials. All
internal company lists and United Way donor information should be
treated with the highest sensitivity throughout the campaign process.
The United Way will
combine gifts of couples from the same or different companies for Torch
Society or Tocqueville Society recognition. |
