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California State Employees Charitable Campaign

FAQ's

How do I confirm the amount of my current CSECC deduction and which nonprofit organization(s) I've chosen?

Participating state employees with questions about their current deduction and/or designation(s) should contact the PCFD Agency which manages their gift. For CSECC donors whose gifts are managed by the following PCFD Agencies, please call our toll-free Donor Hotline (888) TO-DO-GOOD, (888) 863-6466. Please be prepared to provide your name and Social Security Number.

  • United Way of the Bay Area 022
  • United Way California Capital Region 024
  • United Way of the East Valley 065
  • United Way of Greater Los Angeles 004
  • United Way of Imperial County 002
  • Inland Empire United Way 059
  • United Way of Kern County 071
  • United Way of Merced County 056
  • United Way of Monterey County 036
  • Orange County United Way 005
  • Palo Verde United Way 003
  • United Way of San Luis Obispo County 039
  • United Way Silicon Valley 029
  • United Way of Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake 073
  • United Way of Tulare County 081
  • Yuba-Sutter United Way 075

 

What is a PCFD Agency?

A Principal Combined Fund Drive (PCFD) Agency is the entity responsible for managing the CSECC for a specific geographic region in the state of California. Your local PCFD coordinates the annual workplace giving campaign for your region. CSECC donors must select a PCFD to manage their donations. The PCFD you select receives your donation and distributes your gift to your designated nonprofit(s).

Although the CSECC is commonly referred to as if it were a single entity, it actually encompasses 32 separate geographic campaigns throughout the state. Each individual campaign is managed by a local PCFD, typically the local United Way , for that region. PCFDs are approved annually by the State of California Victim Compensation & Government Claims Board. Approved PCFDs are listed on the back of page 2 of the CSECC Pledge Form.

 

Why should I participate as a payroll deduction donor through CSECC?

The CSECC is an employee benefit, allowing those who choose to participate the convenience of payroll deduction to fund the nonprofit(s) they feel passionate about. State employees can participate as payroll deduction donors for as little as $2 per month and these small donations cumulate, resulting in significant investments in our communities.

This past year, participating State employees pledged more than $7.7 million statewide for charitable organizations. It all adds up.

Imagine if your employer paid your entire salary to you, one time a year. Many people would be challenged to make it last the entire year until their next annual pay day. This happens all the time to nonprofits who receive one-time gifts, typically at the end of the year, from donors who feel passionate about the work they do and who are utilizing the tax-deductible benefit of charitable giving.

The charities, appreciative of the donations, are still challenged with a fluctuating cash flow. Participating through payroll deduction provides the charities you feel passionate about a consistent cash flow throughout the year, easing their ability to operate and provide their services. Also, statistics show that on average, payroll deduction gifts added up at the end of the year are approximately six times greater than one-time donations.

Participation in CSECC through payroll deduction is convenient and efficient, promotes a healthy cash flow for the nonprofit(s) you feel passionate about, enables you to give more than you might with a one time annual gift, promotes teamwork and esprit de corps in the workplace and is one of the few bills you'll actually feel good about paying. And let's not forget: it's tax-deductible!

 

How do I donate to my favorite nonprofit if it is not listed in the CSECC Donor Resource Guide?

Through CSECC, you can donate to any 501c3 nonprofit. If your nonprofit of choice is not listed in the Donor Resource Guide, you may utilize the "Write in Organization" section of the CSECC pledge form. Required information includes the nonprofit's name and address.

Each donor is encouraged to independently review charity information. The Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board has found the charities listed in the Donor Resource Guide eligible to receive designated deductions based on certifications that the charities comply with statutory requirements. The Board does not independently investigate the charities other than to verify their Federal tax-exempt status and review their self-certifications of compliance with applicable California Department of Fair Employment and Housing Regulations. The Board's determination is not an endorsement of any particular charity.

 

How do I cancel my CSECC deduction?

A donor may delete their deduction to the California State Employees Charitable Campaign at any time. Typically this occurs during the campaign when a donor completes a pledge form and checks box C to "Delete" their deduction. A Social Security Number and signature are required to authorize the State Controller's Office to delete the deduction.

Once the campaign is complete, a donor may delete their deduction by sending a letter to the State Controller's Office, including Social Security Number and signature authorizing the deletion.

Letters received by the State Controller's Office before the 15th of the month will delete the deduction for that month's pay warrant. Letters received after the 15th of the month will not be processed until the following month's pay warrant.

Often during the campaign a current payroll deduction contributor will complete a pledge form by checking "Decline Not Interested at this Time". This does not delete your deduction. Only forms checked as "Delete" and including an authorized signature will delete a current deduction.

 

How much of my donation goes to my designated nonprofit?

The campaign administrative fee is annually approved by the State of California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board for each PCFD Agency and is published in the CSECC Donor Resource Guide. This administrative fee supports CSECC activities conducted by the local PCFD Agency, the Victim Compensation & Government Claims Board and the State Controller's Office. A current list of 2007 CSECC administrative fees are available from the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board website at: http://www.vcgcb.ca.gov/PubsCSECC/2007PCFDList.pdf .

1) PCFD Agency costs include, but are not limited to, CSECC staff and associated resources, campaign materials, fundraising activities, pledge form printing, distribution and collection, pledge processing and fund distribution.

2) The Victim Compensation & Government Claims Board campaign-related activities include, but are not limited to, overall campaign oversight, review of charitable organizations for listing in the Donor Resource Guide and review of PCFD Agencies.

3) The State Controller's Office campaign-related activities include, but are not limited to, personalization of pledge forms for distribution, processing the payroll deduction portion of the CSECC pledge form, collecting approved deductions, and distributing these deductions to PCFD Agencies for payout to the individual nonprofits.

Please consider that administrative costs are a reality of fundraising for any nonprofit organization. CSECC allows nonprofits to use more of their resources for providing services rather than conducting fundraising campaigns.

 

How am I acknowledged for my CSECC donation?

Gift acknowledgements are sent to CSECC participants who annually complete section I on the CSECC pledge form. You may choose to be acknowledged by home mailing address or email address. The PCFD Agency that manages your donation will send an acknowledgement letter confirming your donation and designation(s). Your PCFD Agency will also forward your contact information to your designated nonprofit(s). Please note that many nonprofits operate on limited budgets and would not exist without support from donors like you and community volunteer assistance. Not all nonprofits have the resources to send individual acknowledgements to their contributors.

 

What options can a donor use to substantiate the charitable donation?

Donors have two options to substantiate charitable contributions for tax purposes:

1.) Both a Form W-2 or official employer document showing the charitable withholding AND one of these: an original pledge card, carbon copy of a pledge card, photocopy of a pledge card, tear-off receipt from a pledge card, or official letter acknowledging the donation from or by the direction of a charitable organization. The amount acknowledged from the charity must be identical to the amount deducted on the employee's Form W-2 OR

2.) A cancelled check or other official bank record. If donors follow IRS Notice 2006-110 and provide the above documentation, they will definitely be com plying with the law (considered "safe harbor"). If the above is not followed, donors still may be able to deduct their charitable contributions but should consult their tax advisor.

 

What about special event fundraisers (collecting cash for jeans day, office raffles, bazaar purchases, auctions, bake sales, etc. to fundraise for charity)?

Raffles have never been tax deductible. Additionally, many common fundraising activities (see IR 88-120) are questionable and only borderline acceptable since they do not qualify for the "No goods or services were provided in exchange for this contribution" stipulation. If employees want a tax deduction, they must have a receipt. A company can provide a receipt stating what the employee paid for and the date; however, the onus is on employees to determine tax deductibility with their tax advisor (issues: substantial value, intangible benefits, gift, fair market value, etc.).

 

How does a nonprofit apply to participate in the CSECC Donor Resource Guide?

Information for nonprofits to participate in the CSECC Donor Resource Guide is available from the State of California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board at http://www.vcgcb.ca.gov/csecc.htm .

The Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board has found the charities listed in the Donor Resource Guide eligible to receive designated deductions based on certifications that the charities com ply with statutory requirements. The Board does not independently investigate the charities other than to verify their Federal tax-exempt status and review their self-certifications of compliance with applicable California Department of Fair Employment and Housing Regulations. The Board's determination is not an endorsement of any particular charity.

 

Why is a Social Security Number (SSN) required for participation in CSECC?

Payroll deduction donations are processed through the State Controller's Office . Your SSN is the unique identifier required to ensure your payroll deduction is applied to the correct pay warrant.

 

How do I continue my CSECC payroll deduction when I retire?

By participating in CSECC through payroll deduction, you have authorized the State Controller's Office to deduct a set amount from each pay warrant. Retirees from state service no longer receive a pay warrant from the State Controller's Office; therefore, their deduction terminates.

Retirees can have their contribution deducted monthly from their retirement check. Those who wish to participate, retirees and potential retirees, can download the Retiree Pledge Form.