What is the Combined Charities Campaign?

The Combined Charities Campaign (CCC) is a convenient once-a-year “on-the-job” opportunity for employees to give to their favorite charities. CCC pools the administrative and outreach efforts of participating charities, saving both time and money.

Why should I give my charitable contribution through CCC?

• Raising money through workplace giving programs is more efficient that other methods.
• Charities are able to plan and program more effectively because they know pledged amounts in advance.
• Contributions from CCC allow charities to be responsive to community needs because money is not restricted to a specific grant or program.
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How do charities qualify to participate in the CCC?

Charities included in CCC are the SECA-approved organizations (certified by the Illinois Comptroller as qualified to participate in the State’s payroll deduction campaign). The SECA (State of Illinois Employees Combined Appeal) approval process is outlined at http://www.secaillinois.org/qualify.htm. All SECA-approved charities are included in CCC—almost 1,500 non-profit organizations!

CCC can also accommodate local charities in specific locations as requested. For example, Chicago Public School CCC includes four special CPS partners in addition to the SECA charities.

Won’t CCC be a burden on our Human Resources and/or Payroll staff?

No. Running a Combined Charities Campaign in your workplace is easy. Your payroll system needs to track only one deduction per participating employee. CCC tracks and disburses funds to participating charities..

What costs are associated with the Combined Charities Campaign?

There are no costs to the employer. Charities share all costs—and responsibilities—for managing the program. There is no overhead fee; only the actual costs of operating the program. Campaign expenses vary from workplace to workplace and range from four to twelve percent.

Who manages the Combined Charities Campaign and how can I contact them?

The CCC is a collaborative program developed by the participating charities. The charities have selected Community Shares of Illinois to serve as Fiscal Agent.

Contact the Combined Charities Campaign Office.

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How do I know that my contribution was received?

Donors wishing to receive verification must supply their home address on the pledge form. A Donor Confirmation Form that shows the charity/charities designated and the amount of the contribution(s) is sent to all donors that supply home address information.

In addition, participating charities receive a list of donors who have provided home addresses. Charities are encouraged to acknowledge and thank these donors.

Donors may always choose to be anonymous.

How much of my money goes into campaign costs?

Payroll contribution campaigns are one of the most cost-effective ways for charities to raise funds. Campaign expenses vary from work site to work site but range between four and twelve percent. These expenses are shared among the participating charities on a pro-rated basis. The more money raised in a campaign, the smaller the percent of overhead becomes.

Does my gift continue beyond this year?

No. CCC is not a continuous giving campaign. A new pledge card must be completed each year to make a contribution to the charity of your choice.

I had a continuous pledge under an old campaign. Can I stop this?

Yes. Completion of a new pledge card in the CCC voids previous pledges and is the best way to stop a continuous gift.

Are contributions tax-deductible?

Yes! 100% of a contribution is deductible if you itemize. Every charity in the book is recognized by the IRS as a certified 501(c)(3) charity.

What do I do if I’d like to contribute, but don’t think I can afford to?

It doesn’t take much. Even a small gift per pay period adds up over the course of a year and makes a big difference to your charity.

How long does my payroll deduction last?

Most workplaces begin contributions at the beginning of the year, January 1, and run until December 31 of that year. Check with your workplace coordinator for exact dates.

What if my situation changes and I need to stop by contribution?

You can revoke your authorization in writing at your payroll office.

What does the percentage number next to the charity name in the booklet mean?

The number next to each charity listing refers to the overall fundraising and administrative costs for that specific organization.

I want to give, but can’t decide what charity to give to. What can I do?

Give an “undesignated” contribution that is shared by all. To do this, simply leave the charity section blank. Undesignated donations are distributed among the charities in the same proportion that the charities received designated contributions.