Business United 2.0: Corporate Engagement for Community Impact

Business United

2.0

Our Proposal

Transforming Corporate Engagement into Community Impact

Heart of Florida United Way | Central Florida

I. Strategic Summary

What We Are Proposing

Business United 2.0 transforms the current model from a traditional sponsorship program into a structured corporate engagement ecosystem.

Contribution Equity Framework

Financial support

Workforce participation

Leadership development

Corporate collaboration

Community engagement

What the Program Provides

Leadership development opportunities

Strategic business relationships

Measurable community impact

A trusted civic business network

Community impact and business growth reinforce each other.

II. ONBOARDING AND MEMBER DIRECTORY

Building a Regenerative Business Network

What We Are Doing

Every company completes onboarding and gains access to the Member Directory, an internal business network for Business United participants.

Why It Matters

Construction company may need marketing.

Nonprofit may need legal advice.

Business may need vendor referrals.

First recommendation comes from Business United.

Regenerative Business Loop

Companies support one another economically while supporting the community, creating a self-sustaining cycle of growth.

Member Directory Profile Includes:

Company Name and Logo

Primary and Secondary Contacts

Industry Classification

Products and Expertise

LA Alumni Designation

Year 1: Hosted within HFUW existing website with CRM tagging — no new software required.

Heart of Florida United Way | Central Florida

III. Community Impact Passport

Tracking & Recognizing Every Contribution

The Community Impact Passport is a scorecard that measures how companies participate in the ecosystem — recognizing contributions beyond financial donations.

💰 Financial Contribution

$1,000 = 10 Credits

$1 per $100 contributed.

🤝 Workforce Engagement

10 volunteer hours = 5 Credits

Company hosted event = 10 Credits

Payroll giving participant = 2 Credits

🎓 Leadership Development

Enrollment = 5 Credits

Complete 3 sessions = 10 Credits

Graduation = 10 Credits

Serve as Executive Mentor = 15 Credits (max 30/year)

🌱 Ecosystem Growth

Host executive session = 20 Credits

Host LA session = 10 Credits

Refer new member = 25 Credits

In-kind services ($2k+) = 10 Credits

Advisory committee = 10 Credits

Volunteer hours may account for max 40% of total credits | At least 50% of annual contribution must be financial

Heart of Florida United Way | Central Florida

Recognition Levels & Business Size Classifications

How Businesses Advance Through the Passport

Small Business

1–24 employees

Medium Business

25–149 employees

Large Business

150–499 employees

Enterprise Partner

500+ employees

Recognition Level

Small Business

Medium Business

Large Business

Enterprise Partner

Community Partner

Impact Builder

Civic Leader Company

Alliance Champion

$2,500

75 cr

$7,500

150 cr

$20,000

250 cr

$50,000

400 cr

$5,000

150 cr

$10,000

250 cr

$30,000

400 cr

$75,000

600 cr

$7,500

200 cr

$15,000

325 cr

$40,000

500 cr

$100,000

750 cr

$7,500+

225 cr

$20,000

350 cr

$50,000

600 cr

$125,000+

900 cr

Higher tiers require leadership or ecosystem participation activities.

IV. Leadership Academy

Developing Civic & Corporate Leaders

Program Structure

Duration: 6 months

Sessions: 6 half-day

Year 1 Cohort: Up to 50 participants

Breakout groups: 10–12 per group

Year 1 Nominations

Small (1–24 emp): 1 nomination

Medium (25–149): Up to 2

Large (150–499): Up to 2

Participant Investment

$1,500 per participant (Year 1) — positioned below comparable regional programs

Topics Covered

Community & Social Impact

Economic mobility

Mental health & 988

Affordable housing

Business & Leadership

Purpose-driven leadership

Ethical leadership

Cross-sector collaboration

Regional Economic Development

Workforce challenges

Small business development

Public-private partnerships

Personal Leadership

Strategic decision-making

Stakeholder engagement

Leading diverse teams

Participants complete a capstone project addressing a real Central Florida community challenge.

Heart of Florida United Way | Central Florida

Executive Mentorship Integration

Mentorship Within & Beyond the Academy

Leadership Academy Mentorship

Senior leaders from Business United companies volunteer as mentors

Each mentor assigned 1–2 mentees from the cohort

Estimated time: 5–8 hours per cohort

Mentor Touchpoints

Introductory meeting

— goals & professional development

Mid-point check-ins

(1–2 during Academy)

Capstone project guidance

Final reflection conversation

Mentorship Outside the Academy

HFUW facilitates short-term advisory mentorship connections between Business United members and experienced network executives.

One introductory connection facilitated by HFUW

Up to two follow-up conversations

Mentorship Objectives

Strengthen<br>leadership skills

Understand business<br>community impact

Expand professional<br>networks

Navigate civic<br>leadership growth

Mentorship participation may count toward Community Impact Passport credits.

V. Individual Participation Pathway

From Participant to Champion

Leadership Academy Graduate

Completes 6-month program with 6 half-day sessions.<br><br>Gains civic knowledge, community connections, and understanding of Central Florida challenges.

Civic Leader

Designation earned upon graduation.<br><br>Understands regional issues, nonprofit partnerships, and the role businesses play in solving complex social challenges.

Ambassador

Advocates for Business United and HFUW.<br><br>• Attend 2 events/year<br>• Share experience at 1 panel<br>• Make 2 referrals<br>• Support 1 cohort<br><br><b>Time: 8–12 hrs/year</b>

Executive Ambassador

Senior leaders championing the network.<br><br>• Attend 2 executive sessions<br>• Provide 2 strategic introductions<br>• Guest appearance at Leadership Academy<br><br><b>Time: 6–10 hrs/year</b>

Ambassador Role

Organically promote Business United through existing professional activities. Peer-to-peer recommendations are the most effective growth mechanism for the program.

Executive Ambassador Role

Strategic introductions, executive engagement, and visible champions for HFUW within the regional business community.

Heart of Florida United Way | Central Florida

VI. Executive Discussions & Networking

Meaningful Dialogue. Strategic Collaboration.

4–6 Curated Sessions Per Year

Workforce retention & talent development

Mental health in the workplace & 988 awareness

Affordable housing & workforce stability

Building effective public-private partnerships

Economic mobility & employment barriers

Corporate social responsibility & purpose-driven leadership

Disaster response & business continuity

Supporting small business growth & entrepreneurship

Beyond Networking

Structured dialogue focused on real regional challenges, not just relationship building.

Broad Engagement

Moderated discussions, breakout groups, and topic-specific roundtables.

Expert Voices

Regional experts, nonprofit leaders, public officials, and business executives.

VII. Stakeholders & Resource Needs

The Team Behind Business United 2.0

Natalie Lattimore

Strategic Program Architect & Operations Lead

Program design, Contribution Equity Framework, Community Impact Passport, leadership pipeline & ecosystem strategy.

Stephanie Rosario

Community Engagement & Partnership Lead

Nonprofit partner relations, guest speaker recruitment, executive discussion planning, chamber partnerships.

Franco Moro

Financial & Impact Model Analyst

Financial modeling, revenue projections, contribution thresholds, Impact Credit system validation.

Jessica Faubert

Marketing, Communications & Member Experience Lead

Marketing strategy, member onboarding, communications, Member Directory concept, program launch messaging.

Internal Stakeholders

External Stakeholders

Heart of Florida United Way | Central Florida

VIII. Year 1 Financial Model

Realistic Startup Revenue & Expense Projections

Estimated Year 1 Revenue

Corporate Membership Contributions

$90,000

Leadership Academy Tuition

$12,000

Program Sponsorships

$25,000

Total Estimated Revenue: $127,000

Estimated Year 1 Expenses

Program Coordination & Staff

$45,000

Leadership Academy Delivery

$12,000

Events & Executive Discussions

$10,000

Marketing & Program Materials

$6,000

CRM Configuration

$5,000

Graduation & Impact Awards Event

$7,000

Total Expenses: $85,000

Projected Net: $42,000

Long-term potential: $400,000+ annually (Years 3–5 with 40–50 companies)

Heart of Florida United Way | Central Florida

IX. Implementation Timeline

Business United 2.0 — Year 1 Roadmap

Heart of Florida United Way | Central Florida

Q1

Program Development

Finalize program framework & recognition model

Build Member Directory in HFUW website

Configure CRM tagging system

Develop Leadership Academy curriculum

Q2

Member Recruitment & Launch

Introduce Business United 2.0 to partners

Begin onboarding founding members

Launch Member Directory

Open Leadership Academy nominations

Q3

Academy & Ecosystem Engagement

Launch first Leadership Academy cohort

Begin curated executive sessions

Track credits via CRM

Continue Ambassador outreach

Q4

Impact Reporting & Evaluation

Complete Leadership Academy capstone presentations

Publish first Community Impact Passport report

Recognize Civic Leaders & Ambassadors

Evaluate & plan Year 2 expansion

X. Program Goals & Marketing Strategy

Growth Through Targeted Engagement

A leadership and partnership network for businesses committed to strengthening Central Florida.

Grow Your Leaders

Strengthen Your Partnerships

Track Your Community Impact

Short-Term Goals

Long-Term Goals

Recruitment Strategy

XI. Future Expansion

Recognizing Leadership. Growing the Ecosystem.

Annual Business United Impact Awards

An annual recognition event celebrating outstanding contributions.

Business United Company of the Year

Community Impact Champion

Leadership Academy Alumni Leader of the Year

Corporate Volunteer Impact Award

Ambassador Leadership Award

Leadership Academy Advisory Board

As the Academy expands, HFUW may establish an Advisory Board of business leaders, alumni, and community experts.

Curriculum development

Identification of emerging regional issues

Recruitment of mentors & guest speakers

Leadership Academy participant selection

Long-term program strategy

Participation qualifies for Community Impact Passport credits.

These expansions ensure long-term sustainability while allowing business leaders to actively shape the program.

Heart of Florida United Way | Central Florida

XII. Growth Model

A Self-Reinforcing Ecosystem

Business United Membership

Companies join to connect with civic-minded businesses, strengthen community partnerships, and develop their workforce.

Leadership Academy Participation

Member companies nominate emerging professionals. Deepens connection to community challenges and civic leadership.

Civic Leader Development

Graduates become Civic Leaders who understand regional issues and the role businesses play in solving social challenges.

Ambassador & Executive Ambassador Engagement

Leaders expand the network through peer introductions, mentorship, and ecosystem leadership.

Network Expansion & Corporate Collaboration

Companies collaborate through the Member Directory, executive discussions, and joint community initiatives.

Expanded Community Impact & Member Growth

New businesses join, greater resources for community initiatives, expanded leadership opportunities.

Key Insight

Individual participation rolls up to company totals — employees who volunteer, participate in the Academy, or refer partners all help their company advance through recognition tiers.

12–15 Founding Companies targeted in Year 1

50 Leadership Academy participants (Year 1 cohort)

$400K+ annual potential by Years 3–5

Heart of Florida United Way | Central Florida

Thank You

Business United 2.0

Transforming Corporate Engagement into Community Impact

12–15

Founding Companies

50

Year 1 Academy Participants

$127K

Projected Year 1 Revenue

Heart of Florida United Way | Central Florida