YOU DO!

Your energy and enthusiasm for the arts will motivate others to recognize the importance of the arts in our lives, as well as inspire them to support the arts with a gift of any amount. Here are some other ideas to help you as you lead a campaign in your workplace!

• Read all about The Arts Council so you’ll know our mission, a little of our history and who we have as funded partners. However, if you’re faced with a question you can’t answer, don’t worry — call us!
• If your workplace conducted a campaign last year, talk to the volunteers who helped and ask what worked well and what didn’t.
• Recruit volunteers to help you with the campaign. The more dependable colleagues you have helping you, the easier it is for all!
• Get the support of your workplace’s top leaders … ask them to send a company email, appear at an event and otherwise make it clear that the campaign for the arts has their blessing.
• Payroll deduction appeals to a lot of people. Ask your human resources department if your company can start that process for the arts campaign if you don’t already have it.
• Talk to The Arts Council’s workplace giving director to get ideas of what has been particularly effective for other campaigns, and don’t be afraid to take elements of those ideas for your own! Special contests, prize drawings, meals and other tools have been used in the past. The Arts Council may be able to help you with incentives.
• Keep the campaign SHORT! The Arts Council sees best results when a campaign is only a couple of weeks long; otherwise, people tend to lose interest.
• Make sure you distribute information to each and every employee, and post in areas where colleagues may gather.
• Nothing is more effective than a personal voice or email or in-person appeal. “I’ve made my own gift to support The Arts Council and I’d love to have you join me!” really speaks volumes. Be sure to tell people that a gift of any amount is appreciated.
• Yes, The Arts Council supports the United Way, and vice versa! Many companies see the value of supporting both organizations, realizing that feeding the body (United Way) and feeding the soul (Arts Council) are complementary causes.
• If you have questions or concerns during your campaign, don’t hesitate to contact the director of workplace giving, Ellen Schuette, at 747-1418 or eschuette@intothearts.org. Many times we have materials and solutions for you that will quickly help you stay on track!
• After the campaign is finished, CELEBRATE! Say thank you to your volunteers, and be sure you communicate names to The Arts Council so we may send our thanks, as well.