Organizing a Successful Workplace Campaign in Support of the Canadian Red Cross

Disasters Can Strike Without Warning.

You have the power to help us respond effectively and compassionately to unexpected events. In Quebec alone, we deploy volunteer teams an average of three to four times a day.
 

The Canadian Red Cross Needs You!

As emergencies grow more intense, diverse, and complex, the Canadian Red Cross supports individuals and communities across Canada and around the world, helping them build resilience.

To maintain its independence while delivering humanitarian aid in Canada, the Red Cross relies on donations from partners and individuals through various philanthropic channels, including workplace campaigns. When major disasters strike in Quebec, our trained volunteers and emergency responders are on the ground—no matter the time, place or scale of the event. While emergency supplies and financial assistance are helpful, what people need most during challenging times is support and comfort. Your donations make that possible.

To learn more about our humanitarian efforts across the province in 2024–2025, read our 2025 Overview of the Red Cross in Emergencies. It offers a snapshot of our commitment to local communities, highlighting our work in prevention, preparedness, emergency response, and recovery—along with the resources needed to make it happen.

What Is a Workplace Campaign?

A workplace campaign (WC) is a philanthropic initiative where a company invites its stakeholders to donate to one or more charities, such as the Canadian Red Cross. Companies that launch a WC make giving easy and accessible, while encouraging participation through acts of solidarity. Campaigns generally run for a few weeks and include key moments like a launch event, awareness activities, fundraising efforts, and a closing event—either in person or online.

Why Launch a Workplace Campaign at Your Company?

In addition to supporting Red Cross initiatives across the country, a WC demonstrates your company’s strong commitment to community and generosity. It allows employees and stakeholders to get involved, strengthening their team spirit and pride in being part of a supportive, socially responsible organization.

Benefits of launching a Workplace Campaign include:

• Humanitarian and social impact: Funds raised help provide direct and sustainable assistance and develop new aid programs where they are needed most.
• Connection and solidarity: Fosters collaboration, social engagement, and pride in working toward a common goal—while offering opportunities for responsible leadership.
• Employee engagement and loyalty: Employees feel empowered when they contribute to meaningful causes that affect them directly, boosting satisfaction, loyalty and trust in their employer.
• Corporate visibility and recognition: Socially responsible companies that run WCs enhance their reputation and gain positive exposure through their commitment to community engagement.

No matter your organization’s size, a workplace campaign can benefit your corporate culture. In Quebec, 25% of large companies run annual campaigns⁽¹⁾—and many small and medium-sized businesses do too, often choosing the Canadian Red Cross as their cause.
⁽¹⁾ Épisodes (2024), Étude sur les tendances en philanthropie au Québec — 9e édition

The Key Steps of a Workplace Campaign

There are many ways to carry out a WC, depending on your needs and objectives. Our team will support you every step of the way. Regardless of your specific situation, a workplace campaign is generally carried out in six stages:

1. Contact us: Planning a campaign? Reach out at cmt@redcross.ca to connect with one of our expert consultants.
2. Plan and prepare: Build your campaign team, set goals, identify required materials and tools, and schedule activities—with guidance from your dedicated consultant.
3. Launch: Host a kickoff event and engage your stakeholders by introducing the Canadian Red Cross, its mission, and the impact of donations raised. Whether your event is simple or elaborate, there are plenty of ways to make it memorable and meaningful. Our volunteers and staff will be right there with you to support this important step.
4. Rollout: Use presentations and testimonials to inspire and motivate participants: communicate, raise awareness, and foster their engagement. Organize fundraising activities and track the campaign’s key milestones. The bulk of your WC will take place at this stage, in collaboration with our team members.
5. Close: Gather materials, record donations, and compile results—both quantitative and qualitative.
6. Evaluate and reflect: Assess and report results to leadership. Share the outcomes with participants and be sure to thank the key contributors to your campaign —such as your ambassadors and, of course, your donors. Finally, hold a debriefing session with your assigned consultant to review the current campaign and identify ways to improve future editions.

Many companies also implement a donation matching program, where they match employee contributions with a corporate gift—doubling the impact and encouraging greater participation. We have plenty of ideas and strategies like this to share with you!

Support from the Canadian Red Cross

Launching a workplace campaign is a powerful act of collective generosity. Our specialized team will guide you every step of the way, offering support tailored to your organization’s context and humanitarian ambitions. From planning, to rollout, to closing, we’ll provide everything you need to launch a successful workplace campaign.

Available tools and solutions:

• A customized online donation platform
• Turnkey communication tools (posters, visuals, donation forms, messages, data on CRC activities—all customizable to your brand)
• Strategic and personalized support every step of the way
• Flexible solutions for in-person, virtual, or hybrid environments

It’s Time. Let’s Connect!

Thinking about launching a workplace campaign? Let’s make it happen—together! Contact us at cmt@redcross.ca.

Join over 25 companies of all sizes and industries already supporting us this year through workplace campaigns—and become part of the world’s largest humanitarian movement!