What is the State Charitable Contributions Program (SCCP)?
SCCP is an annual statewide program that offers State of Georgia and University System employees the opportunity to contribute to the charities of their choice to help those in need in Georgia and overseas.
What charities are eligible?
Independent and federated charitable organizations are eligible to participate.
How are eligible charities approved?
The Policy and Program Advisory Committees review applications from the two types of eligible charities for participation each year. Final approval is granted by the State Personnel Board based on a favorable recommendation by the Advisory Committees
Independent Charitable OrganizationsThere are 44 independent charitable organizations providing a wide range of health, welfare and educational programs to individuals on a statewide basis.
There are 43 charitable federations, including 35 local United Ways and 8 independent federations. These federations coordinate fundraising and allocations for over 1200 local and international charitable organizations, which provide services throughout Georgia and overseas. Contributions designated to member agencies of a federated charitable organization will be directed to the federations for distribution to member agencies. Following are descriptions of the participating federated charitable organizations:
Promotes, assists and supports the development, growth and continuation of children’s advocacy centers in the state of Georgia, which provide a safe place for the evaluation of child sex abuse and severe physical abuse cases, including videotaping interviews of abuse victims in a safe, child-friendly environment, crisis intervention, forensic medical exams, counseling and medical services for victims and training and community education.
Supports voluntary health agencies in delivering service, information, counseling, support, and research to the victims of disease in the community.
Supports organizations protecting Georgia’s environment through land preservation, education, pollution prevention, and energy conservation.
A community fund that through its member agencies served over 650,000 people in 2008. GBUF is dedicated to increasing and enhancing the choices available to members of underserved communities in Metro Atlanta and throughout Georgia. This organization provides financial and organizational resources to nurture and promote positive life alternatives, with an ultimate goal of prevention. The focus of the organization is on culture, human health and welfare, economic development, and education.
Supports agencies serving those denied full participation in society, based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, family, age, and economic status.
Supports U.S.-based charities working globally. We provide disaster relief, treat the sick, feed the hungry, shelter refugees, teach children to read, train adults for jobs.
Supports America’s finest independent international organizations that provide services to people around the world. Feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, protecting the children, and healing the sick – we work with you to share...the American way.
Supports local charities that provide a variety of services to those in need including helping children, the poor, the ill, the disabled, the elderly, and others in need.
Helps strengthen and expand the Technical College System of Georgia by: securing resources to help achieve the vision of excellent technical and adult education; establishing scholarship programs and endowment funds; serving as a conduit for TCSG Colleges to receive tax deductible donations; and administering and investing donations in support of TCSG. The TCSGF vision is to position itself as one of the State’s primary vehicles to promote economic vibrancy and workforce development for the citizens of Georgia.
Represents 33 autonomous, local United Ways located throughout the State. Volunteers in each local United Way assess community needs and match these needs with the programs of their member agencies.
How do I enroll in the State Charitable Contributions Program?
Enrollment in the 2009-10 SCCP is being offered online. Employees will logon to the online giving website from Team Georgia Connection http://team.georgia.gov , select a monthly or one-time (cash, check, money order or credit/debit card) contribution amount, and make designations to the charities of their choice. Employees will be able to make changes to their contribution information during the open enrollment period. If you do not have access to the online enrollment website, you can enroll by printing a blank pledge form from the SCCP webpage in Team Georgia Connection, complete the pledge form and return it to your campaign coordinator.
How do I designate my gift?
A list of all approved charities and their six-digit code numbers is on the inside section of the campaign brochure, as well as on the online enrollment website as a .pdf file. Employees enter the six-digit code that corresponds to the charity they want to receive their contribution and the contribution amount the charity should receive. Only those organizations listed in the brochure or in the .pdf file with six-digit codes may be designated.
Each designation for payroll deduction must be for at least $1 per month for each charity you choose. Deductions begin with the last check in January 2010 and continue through the last paycheck in December 2010. Contributions will be deducted at the end of each month during calendar year 2010.
Contributions can now be made using a credit or debit card. Credit and debit card transactions are processed on a secure website, and your card information is not retained. Credit and debit card contributions are one-time contributions.
Print your one-time cash, check or money order contribution information from the website and turn it in to your campaign coordinator with your contribution. Make checks and money orders payable to State Charities Fund. Designated cash, check or money order contributions must be at least $1 per designation.
As an employee of a state agency, local department of family and children services and public health or community service boards, you will automatically receive an acknowledgement of your contribution from the State Charitable Contributions Program. You may also elect to receive an acknowledgement(s) from the charity(ies) that you designate to receive your contribution by answering "Yes" to the question "Do you want your name and address given to your selected charity(ies) for the purpose of receiving an acknowledgement?" on your pledge form. If you wish your gift to be in someone's memory, please contact your coordinator to obtain a memorial contribution form. If you make a one-time cash, check or money order contribution of $250 or more, you will receive a letter confirming your contribution, which will satisfy the IRS requirements for claiming the contribution on your income tax return.
Convenience Once a year employees have a chance to learn about charities that have been approved for the State Charitable Contributions Program. You are spared the inconvenience of multiple requests for contributions by many charities throughout the year. You are also authorized to use payroll deduction — and most employees find payroll deduction the most convenient method of giving because it occurs automatically and their contribution can be spread out over an entire year .
Education This is your chance to learn more about charities that serve important needs in your community and overseas. You may also research the charities you wish to support online to learn more about the services they offer. Educational activities may include visiting attending a staff meeting where charity representatives will be speaking, viewing the campaign video, etc.
Motivation Charities help meet local needs, as well as the needs of individuals in other countries. As a community-minded citizen, your role in supporting worthy causes will be recognized through participation in the State Charitable Contributions Program, and your contribution is tax deductible. Leaders in your agency will be encouraging you to give favorable consideration to this form of citizenship.
