Annual Esri Canada fundraising efforts hit an all-time high
The results from our 2014 United Way Campaign are in and they’re impressive. In fact, we’ve set a new record. Find out how much last year’s campaign raised and how we did it.
We’re very proud to announce our 2014 United Way Campaign successfully raised more than $250,000. This represents a record contribution from employees across the country and Esri Canada president Alex Miller and his wife, Mary-Charlotte Miller, who generously provided a corporate 2:1 donation match.
How did we do it? It all began in early October with campaign kickoff events in offices across the country that featured special guest speakers from United Way agencies and clients who raised awareness about the positive difference their programs are making in Canadian communities. I know that hearing stories first-hand from people whose lives have been turned around thanks to services provided by the United Way and its partners certainly resonated with me. You can read brief, personal stories of people across Canada who are benefitting from United Way-related programs here.
Our United Way Campaign kickoff events featured addresses from United Way volunteers that emphasized the importance and value of the programs and services that donations support.
Following the campaign launch, a flurry of fundraising-related activity ensued. Over a dozen campaign coordinators from multiple Esri Canada offices—including Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Sudbury, London, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria—helped drive fundraising efforts within a two-month window. Here’s a snapshot of some of the events, activities and campaigns that were held:
- An annual golf tournament in Ottawa supported by our customers raised more than $5,000 for the local United Way campaign.
- A Reverse Day of Caring, hosted at our corporate head office in Toronto, provided an opportunity for high school students in one of the city’s priority neighborhoods to hear presentations from Esri Canada employees. Staff then engaged with individual students on career opportunities in GIS.
- Numerous local and national events such as a Halloween costume contest, bake sales (goodies sold in Montreal raised $1,000 alone!) blue jean Fridays, raffles and email Bingo.
A Halloween costume challenge was one of the many events in our 2014 United Way Campaign.
Of course, the lofty heights we reached last year raise the bar for this year’s campaign. Based on the level of commitment, hard work and generosity demonstrated by my colleagues last year, chances are we could raise the bar even higher in 2015.
Maybe you can help us with that? Share fundraising events and activities you’ve found or have heard worked well and we’ll consider using them during next year’s campaign.