Recently, I caught the end of a televised University of Michigan football game. The Wolverines ended-up on the losing end of the score, and the television announcers were talking about . . .

“When you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.” While workplace campaigns may not be dead, many aren’t doing very well. It’s time for United Ways to start looking for other horses.

You’ve got a lot to say. Your United Way does a lot, and sometimes it may seem like you do too much to explain it all to your community. When you have so much to say, how can you simplify and prioritize your messages?

Most United Way donors we have surveyed recall being thanked by their local United Way. However, not all donors report they have been thanked the way they want to be thanked.

While most of the focus this time of year is on getting students ready for the year ahead, it’s just as important for United Ways to make sure they have the tools and knowledge they need to tackle their greatest challenges in the coming months.

Your community doesn’t care how much money you raise. If you want to convince your community to support your United Way, you need to stop talking about your campaign goal and start telling donors what they really want to hear.