The California State Employee Charitable Campaign
November 25, 2013 --
Dear Colleague:
Once a year, our community turns to us for help in meeting a great variety of social needs. All California state employees are given a special opportunity to reach out to our neighbors through the annual California State Employees Charitable Campaign. Through the campaign, you can contribute to more than 1,000 Bay Area agencies, or to any non-profit agency of your choosing.
If you prefer to give directly to San Francisco State, your gift can make a difference right here on campus. You can support a scholarship or help attract and retain outstanding faculty. To support the University through this campaign, please enter 70555 in the box labeled "organization code number."
With this letter, you are receiving a Payroll Deduction Authorization form where you can designate your contribution of choice. Please go to the CSECC campaign website for a listing of the many organizations that are helped by this campaign: www.csecc.org. Completing the Payroll Deduction form is quick and easy. Fill in the lines at the top and center of the form, indicating the monthly amount you would like to give, and the agency you would like to support. You can drop off your completed forms either in Human Resources (Admin, Room 252) or University Advancement (Admin, Room 151). You can also make your contribution through a one-time donation (checks only, and please make them out to California State Employees Charitable Campaign, or CSECC.) If you have questions, please call Inez Bomar at University Advancement, ext. 8-2517 or go to the Web site www.sfsu.edu/~news/campaign.htm
We are living in uncertain times, and often the most powerful statement is the most personal. Please remember to care for those among us who are less fortunate and give what you can. If you are already contributing to the Campaign, thank you for your continued support.
Thank you for your commitment. Remember, every gift makes a difference!
Sincerely yours,
Robert J. Nava
Vice President,
University Advancement
Introduction
The California State Employee Charitable Campaign (CSECC) is a state-wide effort to raise money for charities and is the only fund-raising activity allowed in State of California workplaces. Every year, by contributing to this campaign, state employees help treat and prevent child abuse, assist disaster victims, provide family counseling, make job placement programs possible, preserve forests, clean up and protect the environment, fund scholarships, connect families and individuals with health care, and much more.
Empower the group or groups that you feel will make the biggest difference by making a contribution through this campaign. The power of combined giving magnifies the impact of every donation -- large and small. Because of this, monthly payroll deductions as small as $2 can make a huge difference.
In 2011, State employees raised $7.8 million -- SF State alone raised more than $21,000 -- and helped people and causes right here where we live and all around the world. Won't you please join us in helping our friends, neighbors and environment here and around the globe?
Because giving is important, it is important to have all the facts. For that reason, we have provided answers to the most commonly asked questions on this page, as well as links to outside resources. If you have questions that are not addressed by this web page, please call Inez at extension 8-2517 or email inezb@sfsu.edu.
Common Concerns
Q. How much of my gift does the charity actually receive?
Q. Why should I give through CSECC when I can give directly to my favorite charity?
Q. How can I verify that my contributions are going where they should?
About the campaign and programs
Q. What is the California State Employee Charitable Campaign?
Q. How long will the campaign run?
Q. What is the deadline for turning in my pledge form?
Q. How do I get information on available programs? (Getting help)
Selecting a charity
Q. Do I have to choose a specific charity?
Q. How do I contribute to SFSU?
Q. How do I contribute to a charity that isn't listed in the brochure?
Q. Where can I find information about how charities spend their money?
Q. How do I know that my money is being used to help the needy?
Q. How much of my donation goes to the charity itself?
Q. What is the code to designate SFSU as the recipient of my gift?
Making a contribution
Q. How can I contribute to the campaign?
Q. What forms of payment are accepted?
Q. I am writing a check, to whom do I make it out?
Q. Where do I drop off my pledge form?
Q. What is the minimum I can contribute by payroll deduction?
Q. How do I make my monthly payroll deduction continue beyond one year?
Q. How can I tell if I have a charitable payroll deduction set up?
How to fill out the pledge form, step-by-step
- Continue an existing deduction.
- Start a new payroll deduction.
- Designate a particular organization.
- Change the dollar amount of an existing payroll deduction.
- Change the fund drive code.
- Make a one-time check or money-order donation.
- Stopping your payroll deduction.
Common Concerns
Q. How much of my gift does the charity actually receive?
A. About 82% of your gift reaches the agency you specify because CSECC and the United Way of the Bay Area keep the cost of fund raising, processing and distribution at about 18% -- lower than many organizations. By centralizing the fund raising and payment processing, charities are able to spend more of your donation on the services that actually make a difference.
Q. Why should I give through CSECC when I can give directly to my favorite charity?
A. The top four reasons are:
- Economies of scale -- the charity does not have to do fund raising or process payments, reducing their overhead;
- Improved Budgeting -- monthly contributions give organizations a reliable stream of funds;
- State Supervision -- the State Victim Compensation & Government Claims Board selects the organizations listed in the brochure according to strict criteria to ensure they measure up; and,
- It's Easy! -- sign up once and your designated charity or charities will receive a contribution every month, not just once each year.
Q. How can I verify that my contributions are going where they should?
A. You can telephone the United Way, Capital Region at 1-888-863-6466 to check the status of your contributions, verify your designated charities, and more.
About the campaign and programs
Q. What is the California State Employee Charitable Campaign?
A. The California State Employee Charitable Campaign is actually nearly forty campaigns covering the entire state. The Bay Area region encompasses seven counties and about 27,600 State employees in 675 agencies. Together, we contribute nearly $700,000 each year toward a variety of essential community services. More information can be found at www.csecc.org.
Q. How long will the campaign run?
A. The campaign will run through the month of December this year and pledge forms should be turned in by Wednesday, December 15.
Q. What is the deadline for turning in my pledge form?
A. Wednesday, December 15; forms received after that time will be accepted but the start of payroll deductions may be delayed.
Q. How do I get information on available programs? (Getting help)
A. Help is available in 150 languages by calling 2-1-1. If you can not call that number from your telephone, you can also call 1-800-273-6222 or 415-808-HELP. TTY assistance for the visually impaired can be obtained at 415-808-4440. The website www.uwba.org/programs is also a good resource.
Selecting a charity
Q. Do I have to choose a specific charity?
A. Choosing a specific charity is optional. If you do not specify an organization, your contribution goes into the United Way Bay Area Community Fund that focuses on preventing poverty and connecting people with vital community services in the seven-county Bay Area.
Q. How do I contribute to SFSU?
A. Enter 70555 in the box area labeled "organization code number."
Q. How do I contribute to a charity that is not listed in the brochure?
A. Donations can be made to any 501 (c) 3 nonprofit charity. Write in the name of the charity on the last line in the designation section and the charity's address in the spaces provided below that line -- a minimum donation of $72 ($6/month) per agency is required.
Q. Where can I find information about charities and how they spend money?
A. The United Way Bay Area Web site has information about their programs and their partner organizations. The Better Business Bureau provides information about charities at www.bbb.org/us/charity/ They also offer various "tips" publications, including the quarterly Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide.
Q. How do I know my money is being used to help the needy?
A. The majority of charities and their employees are reputable and honest, however, to ensure that all of the charities listed by CSECC, only organizations approved by the Victims Compensation and Government Claims Board are included. More information can be obained from the Better Business Bureau's charity page at www.bbb.org/us/charity/ or Charity Navigator, where a large number of charities are rated based on their effectiveness. UWBA telephone and email contact information is listed under Common Concerns.
Q. How much of my donation goes to the charity itself?
A. Your designated charity receives 80% of your gift and less than 20% of it goes to overhead. The United Way of the Bay Area manages this area's campaign and their overhead costs include printing & publishing materials, processing forms & payments, training, salaries, and more. The charities and groups receiving your gift also have overhead costs that differ depending on their mission and management. If you don't find the information you need on-line, call the charity.
Q. What is the code to designate SFSU as the recipient of my gift?
A. SFSU's code is 70555.
Making a contribution
Q. How can I contribute to the campaign?
A. Contributing is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Simply fill out the pledge form, choose your method of payment (check/money order or payroll deduction), and turn it in! Click for step-by-step instructions.
Q. What forms of payment are accepted?
A. You may contribute financially in several ways. Many people use the convenient payroll deduction, because their contribution is divided into monthly payments and automatically deducted from their paychecks. Others prefer to make a one-time contribution. If you choose to make a one-time contribution, please include the payment in the form of a check or money order made out to CSECC.
Q. I am writing a check, to whom do I make it out?
A. Whether you designate a specific charity or not, please make all checks and money orders payable to the California State Employee Charitable Campaign (CSECC).
Q. Where do I drop off my pledge form?
A. You may drop off your pledge form or you can send it by campus mail to either Human Resources in ADM 252 or the Office of University Advancement in ADM 151.
Q. I want to help out, but I'm on a budget -- what is the minimum I can contribute by payroll deduction?
A. You can make a difference in people's lives by contributing as little as $6 per month.
Q. How do I make my monthly payroll deduction continue beyond one year?
A. Each year, when you receive your CSECC pledge form, you have the option to change your designated charity, the amount you contribute, or to stop your monthly donation. To continue your current monthly donation and charity designation, write "continue" or "no change" on the form below the campaign logo and above the words "controller's copy".
Q. How can I tell if I already have a charitable payroll deduction set up?
A. If you set up a charitable payroll deduction, there are at least two ways to find out:
- Look at your pay stub in the "Deductions" column; if you have an on-going charitable deduction, it will be listed here. If you need further assistance, please call Human Resources at 8-1872 or 8-1873.
- The pledge form will also indicate whether you have an automatic charitable deduction set up. Look at the top of the form for box "5", labeled "Current Fund Drive Code". Anyone with an active monthly deduction in place will have code "22" printed there, otherwise, the box will have "XXX" printed in it. The only exception would be people with an active charitable payroll deduction who transferred to SFSU from a state agency in another part of California; they will have a different number printed in that box.
How to fill out the pledge form, step-by step
The form has been made to be easy-to-use but there are quite a few boxes to be checked or completed, so it may be helpful to refer to your pledge form as you read these directions.
The pledge form is really two forms on one page:
- The top part authorizes the state controller to make payroll deductions and must be signed unless you are making a one-time contribution by check.
- The bottom part authorizes distribution of the money to the selected charities -- this must be signed for the charity to receive your donation.
1. Continue an existing deduction:
- Write "continue" or "no change" in the space just below the the logo,
- Remove and keep the last copy of the form (for your records),
- To receive a thank-you letter or email, check box I and complete the contact information,
- Remove the bottom copy of the form for your records, and
- Take or send the form to ADM 252 or ADM 151.
2. Start a new payroll deduction:
- At the top of the form, make sure boxes 1 through 6 are completed (write your social security number on line 1 and write the number "22" on line 6 (if box 5 contains "XXX"). New employees will also have to write their name, agency and unit numbers on the form.
- Check box "A. New Payroll Deduction." On the line to the right, enter the amount you wish deducted each month ($2.00 or more),
- Sign & dateline "F. I authorize the State Controller to process the payroll deduction selection listed above," and
- Designate the charities to whom your donations should be sent in the lower portion of the form -- go to section 3 (next).
3. Designate a particular organization:
On the bottom half of the form;
- Find the organization in the Donor Resource Guide or in the brochure (if your group is not listed, start at 3b), check box "G. I wish to make the following designation(s),"
- Write the name of the organization, the organization code, and the amount you want them to receive every month on lines G1 through G5. If you only want to contribute to them for one year, check the "1 year only" box (checking this will, cause your continuing monthly donation to go to the UWBA's Community Fund after one year),
- If you wish to donate to a 501 (c) 3 organization that is not listed in the brochure, simply write their name and address in the provided section,
- If you are making a one-time gift by check, enter the amount on line H,
- If you would like a thank you letter or email, enter your contact information on the lines in section I,
- Sign line "J. I authorize the PCFD to distribute my contributions as stated above,"
- Remove the bottom copy of the form for your records, and
- Return the form to ADM 252 or ADM 151.
Please note: All pledges continue from year to year unless you revoke or change them! If you do not designate any organizations, your donations will be distributed by the Principle Combined Fund Drive Organization (The United Way of the Bay Area).
4. Change the dollar amount of an existing payroll deduction:
- TOP: Enter your social security number, name, agency and unit (lines 1 - 4),
- Check "B Change my existing deduction" and enter the new amount you wish to contribute each month, then sign and date line F authorizing the deduction,
- BOTTOM: Under section G, list the groups you wish to keep/add (see "3. To designate a particular organization," above),
- Sign and date line J at the bottom,
- Remove the bottom copy of the form for your records, and
- Return the form to ADM 252 or ADM 151.
5. Change the fund drive code for existing deduction:
- At the top of the form, complete lines 1 through 4 (social security number, name, agency and unit),
- Check box D, enter the new PCFD code on line 7, enter the amount of your contribution,
- Sign and date line F,
- On the lower portion of the form, list the groups to whom you'd like to donate (see "3. To designate a particular organization," above),
- Check and sign beside box "J. I authorize the PCFD to distribute my contributions as stated above,"
- Remove the bottom copy of the form for your records, and
- Return the form to ADM 252 or ADM 151.
6. Make a one-time donation by check or money-order:
- Make sure your name is written on line 2 at the top of the form, then skip to the lower part of the form,
- Designate the group(s) and amount(s) you wish to give in section G (see instruction #3 ),
- Enter the total amount of your gift on line H,
- Sign and date the form on line J,
- Remove the bottom copy of the form for your records, and
- Return the form to ADM 252 or ADM 151.
7. Stop your payroll deduction:
- Enter your social security number, name, agency and unit on lines 1 - 4 at the top of the form,
- Check box "C. Delete, I no longer wish to contribute,"
- Sign and date line F,
- Remove the bottom copy of the form for your records,
- Return the form to ADM 252 or ADM 151
