How much impact can Leadership donors have on your campaign? According to our most experienced ECCs, the sky’s the limit! While there is no one strategy that will succeed in every workplace environment, we will show you a variety of approaches that have proven to be successful for other companies and could help you to effectively raise gifts of $1,000 and more this year.

Run a special Leadership campaign
At National Grid, 10% of their donors contribute more than half of the total campaign dollars! “When I saw that, I realized how much of a difference Leadership can make in a campaign,” said National Grid ECC Ray Penge.

Ray runs a separate campaign for leadership donors that cultivates about 400 upper-level employees. The campaign prints its own Leadership giving booklet, holds separate Leadership meetings, and uses Leadership pledge forms that don’t emphasize the Step Up Challenge. Ray explains “If you push for an increase of $52 that’s all you’re likely to get. Instead, we make a case for giving at a level appropriate to your means.”

Use the personal touch
There is one tried-and-true technique that works anywhere: Give a little extra to those who give a little extra. Successful ECCs use personalized pledge forms and hold separate Leadership meetings. They thank donors promptly with a handshake, handwritten thank-you notes, or small token gifts. Larger organizations hold special thank-you events that range from cocktail parties or dinners to nights at the theater or symphony. Just make sure to show your Leaders that their generosity is appreciated. This graciousness will be recognized and remembered.

“I really personalize my interaction with our Leadership Givers,” said Syracuse Post-Standard ECC Taylor Atseff. “At the end of the campaign, I deliver the Hamilton White House gift to all new Leaders myself and thank them again. It’s a nice token that they didn’t expect to receive, and it’s another opportunity to say thanks.”

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Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Chances are, it will take several years to build a successful Leadership giving component of your campaign. Dan Hurley is one of United Way of Central New York’s most experienced and skillful Leadership Campaign managers. He has grown SUNY Upstate’s Leadership Campaign program over many years by effectively and consistently using these simple techniques. SUNY Upstate now has 170 leadership givers and continues to grow each year. We can help you get started and keep growing your efforts over time to achieve your company’s fullest potential.

We have many more ideas for how you can successfully grow a Leadership Campaign. Call 428-2211, and ask to speak to your United Way account manager.