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Frequently Asked Questions

The Charitable Fund:

  • Provides an opportunity for all State employees to support non-profit agencies through payroll deduction or one-time payment easily and confidentially.
  • Informs State employees about the critical role non-profit agencies play in our communities and our world.
  • Encourages generous, voluntary participation and preserves an employees' confidential right to give or not give.

 

The campaign runs for a three to six week period during the Fall to ensure that employee sign-up is completed by December of each year. Payroll deductions begin in January of the following year. Involvement in special event fundraisers can be held during the entire year.

Employees get the opportunity to learn about the charities in the SECC. The charity listing is not only a great resource for helping you make your designation, but it is helpful in case you or someone you know is in need of community resources.

The Governor serves as the Campaign Chairperson.

The Department of Administration Director serves as the Campaign Co-Chairperson.

Executive Policy Committee (EPC). The committee is comprised of agency directors or an appointee. They are responsible for developing and approving all policies and procedures that govern the SECC. They also conduct the final review of charities that will be eligible to participate in the campaign. The EPC hires an Executive Director to administer the campaign.

The Executive Director (ED). A State employee appointed by the Director. The ED oversees the implementation of the SECC. The primary responsibilities are to oversee the Steering Committee, serve as campaign spokesperson and act as liaison to all State Coordinators and the EPC. The ED is also responsible for fiscal procedures and communicating with and maintaining corporate sponsorship relationships.

Steering Committee (SC). The committee is comprised of State agency coordinators appointed by the agency directors. The primary function is to provide input and perspective in the direction of the SECC. They assist in the leadership and execution of the SECC campaign plan.

Northern Regional Coordinator (NRC). The NRC covers La Paz, Mohave, Coconino, Navajo, Apache and Yavapai counties. The Dept. of Economic Security-Division of Developmental Disabilities has offices in Parker, Lake Havasu, Bullhead City, Kingman, Flagstaff, Cottonwood, Prescott & Prescott Valley, Payson, Show Low, Eagar, Winslow, Window Rock, Chinle, Tuba City, Kykotsmovi and Page which are covered by the NRC.

Southern Regional Coordinator (SRC). The SRC covers Tucson and its surrounding areas.

One of the great benefits of the SECC is the wide variety of charities and causes represented. They range from small local organizations to large and well-known national and international groups.  Those charities that wish to participate must send in an application to the SECC office and meet legal and fiscal requirements and then be thoroughly reviewed by the SECC applications review team to ensure: They have met requirements of being a non-profit, tax exempt, charitable organization being supported through voluntary contributions from the general public and providing direct and primary health and human services or those actively engaged in environmental or historical protection, enhancement, restoration, preservation or conservation.  Each charity has also provided documentation of its status with the Internal Revenue Service. They spend no more than 25 percent of funds raised on administration and fund raising expenses unless they qualify for an exception due to special circumstances and approval by the SECC Executive Policy Committee.  The proposed list is presented to the SECC Executive Policy Committee and voted on.

Online - An employee can make a donation through payroll deduction or a one-time payment using a credit card. The employee will select the deduction amount and the charity or charities to designate. The payroll deduction will begin the first pay period in January and continue through the last pay period in December.

Manual pledge form - An employee can make a donation by using the manual pledge form. An employee can make a donation through payroll deduction or a one-time payment using cash, check or money order. Print your receipt and attach a copy of your check or money order made payable to the SECC and take it to your Department/Division SECC Coordinator or return directly to the SECC office.

*Note: The employee must authorize a new donation each year*

*Note: We highly encourage a charity designation. The SECC EPC will select 1-2 charities to distribute undesignated dollars.*

You designate your donation to the charity or charities on the SECC website or donation (Click and Give) site by entering the appropriate code from the list of approved charities, along with the amount you wish to donate.

It is almost impossible to account for donations lost through circumstances such as an employee transfers, retiring or leaving State service, therefore, a percentage method is used to distribute funds. At the end of each year’s campaign, the percent of funds pledged to each charity is calculated. Each charity with designations then receives that percentage of what is eventually collected. Each charity also pays its share of the cost of running the campaign (printed materials, etc.) based on the same percentage. The SECC EPC will select 1-2 charities to distribute undesignated dollars.

There are three reasons why a charity may not be listed:

  • The charity may not have applied for consideration to the SECC. Each charity is required to apply annually.
  • The charity did apply for eligibility but the application was not approved by the EPC due to insufficient documentation, late application submittal, not meeting requirements, etc.
  • Charities that have not received any funding by the SECC and State employees for three consecutive years shall not be included for the SECC campaign for at least one year. Subsequent readmission into the SECC as an eligible charity may be considered by the SECC Executive Policy Committee on a case by case basis, subject to evidence of State employee interest in the particular charity being readmitted.
  • If your charity of choice is not listed, the charity must submit an application during the Spring to be considered for inclusion in the following year's campaign. Meanwhile, we invite you to consider the over 500 other non-profit agencies who meet the requirements and have been approved.

An amount not to exceed 10% of the total dollars raised in the prior year’s campaign will be deposited into the SECC authorized bank account for the sole purpose of administrative operations of the next annual campaign.  The remaining 90% is directly donated to the SECC charities.  If the 10% is unused, any remaining monies will also go towards SECC charities.  The SECC is cost-efficient and maintains its' goal to give the greatest amount possible back to the charities.

Employees can participate in locally run SECC special events. Special events can be a great deal of fun for you and your colleagues. Proceeds from these special events are designated to a participating charity or charities. Special events can be held all year. All special events must be approved by the Executive Director, Linda Stiles.

The SECC is audited annually during the summer by a reputable auditing agency. Visit the Audits tab to see view them.