Texas State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC)

The application period generally runs January through March of each year. For details, contact the State Campaign Manager representative at (512) 343-8350 or roxanne.jones@uwtexas.org

SECC Web site: http://www.secctexas.org/

Summary

The Texas State Employee Charitable Campaign, SECC, is one of the largest state campaign opportunities available to public charities. Annually it raises approximately $9.8 million.

Eligibility Requirements

Note: This is a summary of the eligibility requirements for admittance to SECC. A full listing of eligibility requirements can be obtained by contacting the Statewide Campaign Coordinator.

Special Note: An organization can enter the campaign one of two ways: If it is located in Texas, it can enter as an unaffiliated organization in its area. If this is the case, the organization should contact its regional campaign manager for application information. Contact information can be found by visiting the website. If an organization (in Texas or not) wishes to participate statewide, it must contact one of the statewide federations for more information. Contact information for these federations can be found at the website as well.

To gain access to SECC an organization must:

• Be recognized by the IRS as a 501c3 organization
• File form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service
• Commission a full-scale annual audit by an independent certified public accountant that is prepared using generally accepted auditing standards
• Expend no more than 25 percent of organization's gross revenue on management and fundraising. If the organization’s overhead is above 25 percent, it must present a justification and plan to reduce expenses the next fiscal year
• Be incorporated or authorized to do business in the state of Texas. Foreign corporations must file form 302 with the Texas Secretary of State Office. This form can be found at: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/forms_boc.shtml. The fee is approximately $25
• Be directed by an active and voluntary board of Directors that meet at least twice per year
• Have a representative (office, affiliate, branch etc.) in the state that is accessible to state employees at least 20 hours per week
• Provide a toll-free (800) number
• Provide actual direct or indirect services that benefit the residents of the state of Texas, or those overseas. Services must be provide either in two or more noncontiguous standard metropolitan areas in Texas, or to needy individuals in other nations.

Contact Information

State Employee Charitable Campaign
United Ways of Texas
1122 Colorado, Suite 102
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 478.6601
Fax: (512) 478.2572

Updated 8/29/11
Regulations and contact information are subject to change without notice.