about workplace fundraising

Workplace giving campaigns have been around for more than half a century. Today, the U.S. federal government, most state governments, many municipal governments and numerous private corporations sponsor these annual fund drives.

In the private sector, the United Way dominates as the primary campaign administrator, setting the rules for solicitation and distribution of donations. In the public sector, each government sets its own rules. Generally, states and municipalities follow the lead of the federal government.

Federations in the Workplace Giving Alliance work primarily in the public sector. While the campaigns are by no means identical, they typically incorporate the features listed below:

• Employees are invited once a year to pledge

• Most employee pledges are fulfilled by payroll deductions

• Employees may choose a certain number of eligible groups they wish to support. They choose from a list of groups that have been screened according to the campaign’s eligibility standards.

• Eligibility standards for charities are publicly available and typically address fiscal accountability, governance and programmatic impact.

• Participating charities must re-apply each year to ensure continued eligibility.

Federations play a big role in administering all public-sector fund drives. They also assist charities in important ways. Learn more about the role of federations.

Related Links

More about the CFC

More about other public-sector campaigns