2021 campaign toolkit
The one stop shop for your United Way of East TN Highlands company campaign! Be sure to check out all pieces of the toolkit to see what may work best for your team. If you’re in need of something that you don’t see on this page, let us know by shooting us an email with the button below.
Your 2021 United Way Campaign
Running a United Way campaign for your workplace can be a daunting task, but we’re here to make it easy and guide you along the way. We like to break it down to 3 sections: educate, ask, thank! Each expandable section below leads you through the importance, intent, and execution of each section and the resources to go with them along the way. If you’re already familiar with all things United Way and just need the materials to download, scroll on down and grab what you need. If this is your first time, then welcome to the club!
Section 1 - Educate
Before we ask anyone for a pledge or a donation, we want to be sure our audience is as educated as they want to be. It’s very likely that you’ll be talking with a wide range of people, from those who have been a part of United Way for decades to those who are just now hearing about United Way for the very first time, and everyone in between! To do this, it’s best to get everyone together in one place (in-person, or virtually). If you already have staff meetings scheduled, then it can be easy to use part of that time. Either way, you’ll want everyone to come to the meeting with a little base knowledge of the organization.
Step 1 – Invite your employees/coworkers to We find this email template to be a helpful way to provide the most basic information. Keep in mind, this is for base knowledge, not for a deep dive into all things United Way (that can create an information overload).
Step 2 – Use our presentation template. Being able to see information makes it so much easier for many of us to retain it. Our presentation template (and script) makes it where you only need to add in your company goal to be ready. Give the script a read or two before you’re in front of others and you’ll be looking like a pro. It can also be useful to show a video or two, so feel free to use our campaign video or our whiteboard style video that outlines how United Way of East TN Highlands works.
Be sure to have pledge forms available at the meeting for anyone who is familiar, ready and willing to make their pledge at the conclusion of your presentation. Some companies have thier own pledge forms or pledging systems through an internal HR/Payroll system, but if you don’t have this feel free to use the one we’ve put together (our pledge form).
Section 2 - Ask
Step 1 – Follow up with an email to your team! Let’s be honest, people can zone out during a meeting and a quick email to keep the conversation going can be really helpful. Our template makes it easy for you to share a quick message and provide additional information for those who want to learn a little more on thier own.
Step 2 – Adjust the follow up email template as needed throughout your campaign. There’s a good chance that someone will want to talk the decision over with their spouse. Additional emails are meant to be friendly reminders, not pressuring and coercive. Feel free to mention any incentives that your company offers, but try to avoid giving out the feeling that it’s a requirement.
*If you’re a brand new campaign, be sure to connect us with your Payroll department so that we can ensure that everything is set up correctly*
Section 3 - Thank
Step 1 – Say thank you! Saying thank you is one of, if not THE, most important part of running a campaign. For those who did donate, thank them personally. We’ve got another email template that makes this super easy as well.
Step 2 – Thank employees on social media! You don’t have to tag each one of them (but you can if you want!). Those who are proud of their gift may feel inclined to share the post further one thier own social media acccounts, resulting in more people seeing your company’s efforts to give back and be a part of the community. Don’t know what to say in your post? No worries, we’ve got you covered with a graphic to share and even sample wording to go with it. If you tag us, we’ll share it too!
Presentation
No need to create your own presentation from scratch. We’ve got a template ready for you to download, add in your company goal, and you’ll look awesome in front of a crowd.
Email Template
These downloadable email template are designed to help you communicate with your employees before and after your campaign presentation. Don’t forget to edit the highlighted areas!
campaign video
Video can be a great medium to portray a message. We’ve made a brand new campaign video for this year and hope you’ll use it to educate your crew. Want it short and sweet? Here’s 60 seconds!
how it works – the basics
Let’s get back to the basics! You’ve heard of United Way, but how exactly does it work? Where does your donation go? How does it help?
Share this video to help explain it!
Success Stories
Success stories are a great way to show the impact that a donation can have on individuals in our community. We are still building our database of stories, so this link may be updated throughout the year. Check back for new ones!
Social Media Profile Picture frames
Whether you’re on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Medium, TikTok or any other social media, your profile picture gives you the chance to proudly show your support for United Way of East TN Highlands.
Annual Report
Our annual report is a great resource with detail around our 2020-21 year including our biggest headlines, support of local nonprofits, our financials, and our Board of Directors.
printable Pledge form
Our pledge form is an essential part of the campaign. Ensure your company is using the most up to date version of the pledge form to avoid any confusion. Make as many copies as you’d like!
Digital Pledge Form
Would your company benefit from a digital pledge form instead of a paper version? Fill out this form to tell us more about your situation and we’ll create something for you!
Give Online
If you or your employees/co-workers would prefer to make a donation through a credit/debit card, then giving online is the best option. Click the link below to make it happen.
Thank you message
Be sure to thank those who contributed to the campaign! This will make their donation feel appreciated not only by us at United Way, but also by you, their employer or co-worker.
Tell The World!
Be sure to post on your social media channels about your company’s success in this year’s campaign! Use the image below and the sample post if it fits your style!
Secure Info Submission
Secure sharing of information is very important to us all. We encourage you to share any sensitive information through our secure file drop below, or give us a call and we can come pick it up from you (423-220-1229).
As always, your information is safe with us and will go no farther than our finance department.
Understanding Credit
Description: What factors effect your credit score, and strategies to improve scores, to an audience of primarily young adults.
Time: 1:30- 2:30
Location: Elizabethton Public library | 201 N Sycamore St, Elizabethton, TN 37643
Contact: Bank of TN | Detra Cleven | dcleven@bankoftennessee.com | 423-262-5486
Protecting Your Credit
Description: How to protect your credit from scammers. The importance of having a 700 credit score or higher in your senior years.
Time: 12:00- 2:00p
Location: Bristol Public Library | 800 State St. Bristol, TN
Contact: Operation HOPE Inc | Sarah Williams | 423-764-2226 | sarah.williams@operationhope.org | www.operationhope.org
Banking Credit Myths & Facts
Description: Qué requisitos necesitas para abrir una cuenta bancaria? Qué pasa en el caso de un inmigrante sin documentos? Cómo se obtiene un ITIN? Cómo te afecta el puntaje de crédito? No necesitas un numero de seguro social para planificar tu futuro Lo que debes de saber sobre tu puntaje de crédito
Time: 12:50p
Location: https://www.facebook.com/HomeSourceTN|https://www.facebook.com/centrohispanotn
Contact: HomeSource East TN
Rene Yanes | ryanes@homesourcetn.org | Laura E. Contreras-Alanís | lcontreras@homesourcetn.org | 865.971.1679
Centro Hispano | Hilda Castillo | hilda@centrohispanotn.org | 865.522.0052
Predatory Lending
Description: Facts About: Payday loans. Cash advance lenders. The cost of having bad credit. Rent-to-own vs buying.
Time: 6:00p
Location: Facebook Live sessions: https://www.facebook.com/HomeSourceTN
Contact: HomeSource ETN, Pinnacle Bank
Keely Ritchie | keely.ritchie@pnfp.com
Rene Yanes | ryanes@homesourcetn.org
Laura E. Contreras-Alanís | lcontreras@homesourcetn.org
865.971.1679
Money Management Workshop
Lunch and Learn | Refreshments Served
Description: Understanding credit, cash apps vs credit card vs savings account
Time: 12:00 – 1:00p
Location: Kingsport Library | 400 Broad St, Kingsport TN
Contact: Operation Hope| Alan Pickle | apickle@operationhope.org | www.operatiohope.org
Reduce Financial Stress by Reaching Your Financial Goals
Contact AOF to set up your FREE one-on-one financial coaching session tailored to your needs.
Time: 9:00a - 12:00p
Location: TBD Based on Client Need
Contact: Appalachian Opportunity Fund | Oren Peterson | Opeterson@aofcoaching.net | 865-456-4224 (call or text)
Financial Literacy After Hours Networking Event
Presented by: PEAK Young Professionals and First Horizon
Time: 5:00-7:00p
Location: Sports Mill | 600 E. Market, Kingsport TN
Contact:
United Way Kingsport | Becca Sutpen | bsutpen@uwaykpt.org
Kingsport Chamber | Vanessa Bennett | vbennett@kingsportchamber.org
Operation Hope | Alan Pickle | Alan.pickle@operationhope.org
First Horizon Bank | Tiffany Greer | tiffany.greer@firsthorizon.com
First Stop to Building Credit
Description: Johnson City drop in event.
Time: 9:00-11:00a
Location: First Horizon | 2112 N. Roan St., Johnson City TN
Contact: First Horizon | Robbie Davis | rjdavis@firsthorizon.com | 423.461.1719
First Stop to Building Credit
Description: Bristol drop in event.
Time: 9:00-11:00a
Location: First Horizon | 800 State St., Bristol TN
Contact: First Horizon |Kevin Wysor | kmwysor@firsthorizon.com | 423.764.2265
First Stop to Building Credit
Description: Kingsport drop in event.
Time: 9:00-11:00a
Location: First Horizon | 235 E. Center St., Kingsport TN
Contact: First Horizon | Amy Marshall | amarshall@firsthorizon.com | 423.378.7005
A Movement Toward Home Ownership
Lunch & Learn
Description: Kip Parks from Eastern Eight Community Development Corporation will be introducing the programs they offer. Eastern Eight CDC's mission is to fulfill housing needs for low to moderate income families, making home ownership a reality for more. They offer multiple services including but not limited to housing coaching, mortgage lending, and new construction.
Time: 12:00-1:00p
Location: The Depot at Food City | 920 N. State of Franklin Rd., Johnson City, TN 37604
Contact:
UETHDA | Hannah Marshall | hmarshall@uethda.org | (423) 480-8037
Eastern 8 | Kip Parks | kparks@e8cdc.org
Homebuying 101
Description: Discussing credit and what makes a credit score. What you need to do to prepare to buy a home.
Time: TBD
Location: United Way of East TN Highlands| 1907 N. Roane St., Johnson City, TN
Contact: Eastman Credit Union | Sabra P. Hayden | shayden@ecu.org | 423-722-1201
Understanding and Boosting Credit
Description:
Time: 11:00a
Location: Webinar ... Register Here
Contact: First Horizon
Military Community ARG | Paul Ollis | paul.ollis@firsthorizon.com
Heather Hoag | hhoag@firsthorizon.com | 865-824-4044
Cathy Guarnacci| cguarnacci@firsthorizon.com
TRUIST
Description: Contact Angela Conner, SVP of Community Development, for specific event and location details.
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Contact: TRUIST
Angela Conner | angela.conner@truist.com
James Brown | james.brown@truist.com
Larry Jones | larry.jones@truist.com
TBD
Description:
Time:
Location:
Contact: Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union | Miranda Cooper
IMPORTANT LINKS

