Our 2026–27 Workplace Campaign Theme Is: Raise Your Hand

This year's campaign theme is Raise Your Hand, a simple yet powerful reminder that every one of us has needed help, offered help, or stepped up to make a difference. Throughout this campaign, we're inviting workplaces across our five-county region to raise their hands in support of our neighbors and create opportunities for families to thrive.

In our region, 9–10% of households live below the federal poverty line, but an additional 25–26% are ALICE—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are hardworking individuals and families who often work one or more jobs, yet still struggle to afford essentials like housing, child care, food, transportation, and health care. That's more than one in three households quietly facing impossible choices every day.

When we ask people to raise their hand, we're reminding them that we've all done it. As children, we raised our hands because we were eager to learn. We raised our hands to ask questions when we didn't know the answer. We've raised our hands to volunteer, to help a friend, to support a coworker, or to ask for help when life became overwhelming. This campaign celebrates those moments and reminds us that strong communities are built when people continue to raise their hands for one another.

Whether your workplace hosts a campaign kickoff, shares stories of local impact, volunteers together, or makes a financial gift, every raised hand represents hope and every act of generosity helps move families toward greater financial stability. Together, our hands become a powerful force for change.

This page includes the resources referenced in your campaign packet, along with tools, downloads, and ideas to help you run a successful campaign. If you have questions or need additional support, please contact Leah @ lchalmers@uwlp.org .

Thank you for raising your hand and standing with United Way Lakes and Prairie. Together, we're building a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive—because when we Raise Our Hands, we raise our entire community.