Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the eligibility requirements for participating charities?
Each charity participating in the Partners in Giving campaign has been screened by an Eligibility Committee composed of state and university employees to ensure that it:
- is a charitable organization;
- is a member of a participating umbrella organization;
- uses the funds contributed by state employees for the announced purposes;
- submits a copy of an IRS certificate showing that it is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization under Section 501 (c) (3);
- has registered with the Department of Regulation and Licensing and filed annual reports;
- has a detailed annual budget prepared and approved at the beginning of each fiscal year by its board of directors;
- follows accepted fund-raising practices;
- has a formal policy and procedure of non-discrimination;
- prepares an annual report that is available to the general public, includes a full description of its charities, identifies the types of solicitation it uses to obtain contributions, names its chief administrative personnel, and fully discloses the sources and uses of contributions.
- has furnished information with a certification by an independent certified public accountant showing that it follows standards of accounting and a financial system that is based on generally accepted accounting principles.
The Eligibility Committee is issue-neutral. If you disapprove of a charity, simply specify on the pledge form the charities you wish your gift to support. Your gift will go only to those you choose. If you have questions about the eligibility of charities, please contact Rachel Meek, (608) 270-2535, rachel.meek@wisconsin.gov
2. I have an objection to one of the agencies the Campaign funds.
With more than 350 member agencies, it's not surprising that you can't fully support the efforts of every Combined Campaign agency. Please keep in mind that you have the choice of indicating exactly which agency you want to receive your contribution. You have the ability to ensure your contribution only goes to agencies you feel are worthwhile.
3. I don't want to pressure my employees. Many have had an uncomfortable experience at other companies.
The Combined Campaign Team takes a strong position against any tactics that an employee might consider coercive. Relating contributions to the Combined Campaign to performance or pay, or publicly listing those who do not give, are not done. Beyond that, we ask departments to use good judgment in running a workplace campaign. Our goal is to make employees aware of the health and human care services available to the community and offer them a convenient and effective way to help people in need.
4. I have my own favorite charity.
That's great! The Combined Campaign doesn't want to take contributions away from other organizations. After learning how the Combined Campaign supports a whole network of needed services, however, many people choose to include the Combined Campaign in their giving plan as well. Also, the Payroll Deduction option is an easy way to contribute!
While giving to your favorite charity helps support a vital program, a contribution to the Combined Campaign allows you to address a wide array of our community's needs with one contribution. A contribution to the Combined Campaign is an investment in the future.
5. Who decides how donations are distributed?
People, like you and me, decide. Volunteers, representing all areas of the community, sit on committees that review proposals for program funding, research our community's needs, review agency budgets and program statistics, visit the sites where program services are provided, and monitor the results of funded programs.
6. What do the percentages in the booklet mean?
The percentage of contributions used for administrative and fundraising costs is indicated at the end of each agency description.