Giving to your community is the most effective means of asserting your membership within it. Because you are part of the community, because you have a drive to become involved, you possess a sense of stewardship and social responsibility. Our community is critically dependant on people like you who give their time, knowledge, influence, skills and financial support for United Way Ottawa and its partners, you help us to continue our work. See the different ways to give or check out the benefits of a workplace campaign. You can also give by appointing a loaned representative, or by becoming a partner, a sponsor or a volunteer.
Ways to Give:
When you give to us you give to the community. We are connected to the Ottawa community like no other organization. We act as a catalyst to bring diverse yet like-minded organizations together, united under the common purpose of addressing issues such as homelessness, elder care, youth services and underemployment. Your giving makes this possible, whether it’s a financial donation, a gift in-kind, volunteering your time or sponsoring one of our events.
Workplace Campaign:
Engaging with your community where your business operates is an important way to build morale among your employees and maintain a good corporate image. Every year, companies in Ottawa run some 1,800 workplace campaigns to help support us, representing the majority of the funds we invest. This manner of giving is critical to our ability to make change happen in the community. Together, we can improve social conditions and build stronger social economies, which can only strengthen our business economies. To bring your company on board, contact ccharbonneau@unitedwayottawa.ca.
Loaned Representative:
You can select an employee from your organization to act as a loaned representative during our annual community campaign. It is a very important way of giving. About 40 loaned representatives join us every year to manage the 1,800 workplace campaigns that are held across our community. Your employee will get hands-on training and experience in areas such as sales, communications, marketing and project management. It’s an exciting and dynamic program that develops leadership skills and gives your organization public recognition. To learn more, contact: shutton@unitedwayottawa.ca.
Become a Partner:
When you become a United Way partner, you are making a statement — a statement that you care about your community and its citizens and are willing to give to support them. There are various ways in which you can support our work. Financial donations are critical to our ability to make change happen. Other ways to become a partner are through a workplace campaign, through the Loaned Representative program, by giving a gift in kind, by volunteering and by becoming a sponsor.
Become a Sponsor:
United Way sponsors are companies that care about their community and are willing to put their resources behind our efforts. It also helps you to promote your company in the community. It is the “Be United” sentiment at work, and that sentiment is fast becoming the calling card of pride for our sponsors. Co-branding with one of our high-profile, widely promoted events will build your brand while making change happen.
For details on our sponsorship opportunities, see Marketing and Visibility Opportunities and Menu of Sponsorship. If you would like to speak to someone about these opportunities, contact: jturner@unitedwayottawa.ca.
Become a Volunteer:
The work we do requires many different types of skill, knowledge and perspectives. When you volunteer with us, you give to the community and open yourself to new experiences and learning opportunities. Being part of the Be United concept means you lend your particular capabilities in areas that interest you personally and where you feel you can have the greatest impact.
For more information on volunteering, volunteering@unitedwayottawa.ca or 613-228-5780.
