Q: What is a workplace campaign?
A: A workplace campaign is a partnership between your company and United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region that gives your employees an easy, structured way to support our community through payroll deduction, credit card donations, or company matches. Campaigns typically run over a focused 2 to 4 week period.

Q: Why should our company run one?
A: It's a low-lift way to build staff morale and demonstrate corporate social responsibility but more than that, it's a direct investment in your neighbors right here in Franklin and Hampshire Counties.

Q: What size company can run a campaign?
A: Any size. We work with organizations from a handful of employees to several hundred. The format scales to fit your team.

Q: How do we get started?
A: Fill out our workplace campaign sign-up form and a UWFH staff member will reach out to help you plan.

Q: What is an Employee Campaign Coordinator?
A: It's the point person inside your company (often someone in HR or communications) who manages the pledge process, distributes materials, and is the main contact between your team and UWFH.

Q: What makes a workplace campaign successful?
A: The most successful campaigns share a few things in common: a clear goal, visible leadership support, a strong kickoff, regular communication throughout the campaign, and a personal ask. Not just an email blast!

Q: Should we host a kickoff event?
A: Yes, if you can. Even a short in-person or virtual kickoff, where leadership shares why the campaign matters and goals are announced, sets the tone and drives higher participation than a cold email alone.

Q: Does leadership involvement really make a difference?
A: It makes a big one. When your CEO or leadership team shares their own reason for giving, or makes a visible leadership gift, it signals the campaign is a priority and tends to lift participation across the board.

Q: How long should our campaign run?
A: Most workplace campaigns run 2–4 weeks. Long enough to build momentum with communication and events, short enough to keep urgency and focus.

Q: What can we do to keep employees engaged during the campaign?
A: Regular updates work better than a single ask. Personally asking colleagues, rather than relying on email alone, consistently drives higher participation than passive asks. Many successful campaigns also incentivize giving through creative perks like matching gifts, reserved parking spots, or a paid day off for donors. Remember: participation is the goal. A campaign that gets many employees giving at any level, even small, is more successful than one that relies on a few large gifts.

Q: Should we thank donors after the campaign?
A: Yes, while United Way sends thank-you notes to donors, a thank-you from your own leadership means a lot too, and it builds goodwill for next year's campaign.

Q: How do I give?
A: Through payroll deduction (if your employer offers it), a one-time or recurring credit card donation, or a check. Your Employee Campaign Coordinator will share your company's specific options.

Q: Is my donation tax-deductible?
A: Yes, United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and gifts are tax-deductible.

Q: Can I choose where my gift goes?
A: Yes, you can designate your gift to a specific UWFH impact area (like food security, youth mental health, or digital access), to another qualified nonprofit of your choice, or to the general fund to be used where it's needed most.

Q: Does my employer match donations?
A: Many companies do offer a match. Check with your Employee Campaign Coordinator or HR team to see if your employer participates.

Q: How do I get a receipt or confirmation?
A: You'll receive a confirmation by email when your gift or pledge is submitted. If you don't see one, contact us at development@uw-fh.org or 413.584.3962.

Q: Can I change or cancel my payroll pledge after the campaign closes?
A: Once a campaign closes, UWFH doesn't have direct access to your company's payroll system, so changes need to go through your company's Payroll Administrator.

Q: Where does my donation actually go?
A: UWFH is an independent local nonprofit with a small team that reports directly to a local board of directors. Gifts made to UWFH stay in Franklin and Hampshire Counties. UWFH pays a small percentage of its yearly revenue (1.4%) to United Way Worldwide in exchange for branding, marketing, and networking support. That affiliation helps us bring additional financial resources into our community, like the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, that exceed what we pay into it.

Q: Who do I contact with questions?
A: Reach out to your company's Employee Campaign Coordinator first, or contact UWFH directly at development@uw-fh.org or 413.584.3962.