As nonprofit employees in health and human services, we face challenges that our for-profit counterparts may not appreciate.  We advocate for our causes, pound the pavement for donors, fulfill client needs, develop new programs and strengthen the programs that we already support—and we do it without expense accounts or Christmas bonuses.  Most of us have job descriptions where “other duties” takes up a big chunk of our time.  And as much as we invest ourselves in our work, it is sometimes tough to take on yet another project—like running a United Way campaign. 

You may think there are many reasons for not running a campaign: employees may not earn large salaries, lack of free time or your agency is already contributing to community change by simply doing its work and doing it well. This is absolutely true, but a United Way campaign within your organization is a worthwhile endeavor. It exposes agencies to work happening throughout the region. United Way funds more than seven hundred amazing programs at organizations that meet different needs and serve a wide variety of populations. Still, many agencies are hesitant to ask their employees for money. 

A United Way campaign is more than just passing out pledge cards and counting checks. It is a chance to educate people on issues, agencies and populations with whom they may not have had much experience with. When we do that well, people give, get involved and support the work of others that they trust will create lasting change. If you have not yet called up your local United Way representative this year, please think about this: Last year, 237 agencies ran a campaign and together raised $990,587. The more we know, understand and support the entire network of services in metropolitan Chicago, the better chance each of us has to really make a difference. For information about running a campaign, please call (312) 906-2259.