LA SCCC Charitable Organization - Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the Louisiana State Combined Charitable Campaign (LA SCCC)?
  • The LA SCCC is the only state approved charitable activity that will enable state employees the opportunity to give to a charity through payroll deduction (with payroll administered through the LaGov HCM payroll system).
  • In 2012, the Louisiana State Combined Charitable Campaign was established in accordance with R.S.42:456.A.(3) and LAC 4:III.Chapter 11.
  • Employees are allowed to designate their individual contribution to up to five approved, health and human service charities of their choice, by selecting from the 2023 LA SCCC Charity List and completing a pledge form. Contributions can also be made online through an employee online system, where payroll deductions, one-time, full-paid and special event giving options are available.
  • Annually, all health and human service non-profit agencies registered in good standing with the state are eligible to apply to be a part of this campaign.
  • The Louisiana Association of United Ways (LAUW) proudly serves as the Principal Combined Fundraising Organization (PCFO) for this statewide campaign. 

Is my charity eligible to apply?
If your charity meets the following requirements your charity is eligible to apply to be part of the LA SCCC:
  • Provides health and human services in Louisiana 
  • Serves primarily Louisiana citizens
  • Registered as a 501(c) (3) Organization
  • Ensures good standing with the LA Secretary of State
  • Compliant with the USA Patriot Act of 2001
  • Led by a volunteer Board of Directors
  • Maintains fundraising and administrative cost less than 25% (recent 990)
  • Complies with all laws and other regulations
* For more details on requirements for participating charities, see R.S.42:456.A.(3) and LAC 4:III.Chapter 11.

What types of charitable organizations are excluded from participation in the LA SCCC?
  • In accordance with R.S.42:456.A.(3) and LAC 4:III.Chapter 11; pages 24 – 28., educational organizations*, cultural organizations, religious organizations, and political organizations are not eligible to participate in the LA SCCC. 
*Educational organizations whose primary purpose is the direct or indirect financial support of a particular institution or affiliated institutions of primary, secondary or higher education.

How can my charity apply?
  • Please click here to learn more about the LA SCCC application process. 
  • Applications are accepted in the first quarter of the year with a deadline established in early March.

Is the LA SCCC online application process (via Jotform.com) safe and secure?
  • Yes, all forms are served across a protected 256-bit SSL (Secure Socket Layer) connection that uses a SHA256 Certificate. This is the same level of protection used by online banking or e-commerce providers.

What is the campaign timeline for the 2023 LA SCCC?
The 2023 campaign will begin on September 5th: 
  • All employee pledge forms and individual online donations will be due on October 31st.
  • All special event revenue due on December 1st.
NOTE: After January 3, 2024, any pledge form received, requesting donations to be deducted from 2024 payroll, will be processed as an undesignated contribution.

When was the deadline for the 2023 LA SCCC application?
  • March 1, 2023

Is the $250 fee an annual or one-time fee? And is it refundable if my agency is not accepted?
  • This is an annual fee that is non-refundable.

What is the application fee used for?
  • The application fee will be applied to costs related to administrative/fundraising support necessary in executing the campaign.

Does my organization have to reapply again next year, even if we are approved this year?
  • Yes, an annual application is necessary for all applicants (new, existing or returning). Assurance that all requirements are in accordance with the established application guidelines is key to our donors and their support.

How are charities reviewed and approved?
  • Annually, charity applications are received in the first quarter of the year and then reviewed by OSUP and LAUW to ensure that all requirements have been met (in accordance with R.S.42:456.A.(3) and LAC 4:III.Chapter 11).

When will my charity be notified of our application status?
  • On or before June 30th.

How are funds distributed?
  • Contributions made by state employees will be collected by OSUP and provided to LAUW for processing and distribution to the participating charitable organizations. Payments sent by LAUW to charities will occur on a quarterly schedule. Charity proceeds amount will be based on the percentage of funds designated to each charity through employee pledge form contributions, which is calculated at the closure of the campaign. Each charity will then receive their percentage of all funds collected quarterly from LAUW, after all state-approved fundraising and administrative expenses are reimbursed.
 
Will my organization get donor information at the end of the campaign in order to thank those who designated?
  • Donor information will be given to your charity in February so you can be aware of support received. If a donor identified to remain anonymous, their personal contact information will not be shared.

How is the percentage of fundraising and administrative expenses established?
  • The LA SCCC operates using an annual project budget approved by the Louisiana Office of State Uniform Payroll within the Division of Administration. LAUW executes the annual campaign within the approved budget. The overall outcome of the FRA is based on the actual outcome of a given campaign year. The average FRA since the inception of the LA SCCC is 17%.
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What is the percentage of fundraising and administrative expenses covered by employee pledges for the 2023 LA SCCC? 
  • Estimations of fundraising and administrative expenses as per the approved 2023 LA SCCC budget is 15.6%. The actual FRA percentage for the 2023 LA SCCC is contingent upon the final fundraising outcome. The average FRA since the inception of the campaign is 17%.
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Can my charity use LA SCCC funding to cover fundraising and administrative expenses? 
  • No. Charity requirements mandate that funds received by charities from this campaign be invested in providing services or benefits to the citizens of Louisiana and not be used to cover administrative and fundraising costs.

Who do I contact if I have questions about the campaign and my organization?
If my charitable organization was denied acceptance into the LA SCCC, is there an appeals process?
  • Yes, written requests sent to the Commissioner of Administration must be mailed to:

    Jay Dardenne
    Commissioner of Administration
    State of Louisiana, Division of Administration
    P.O. Box 94095
    Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9095

    *Filed within 10 days from the notice of removal/denial.
  • A written decision shall be rendered by the Commissioner of Administration on any request for review within 14 days of receipt of the written appeal. The decision of the Commissioner of Administration shall be the final administrative review.

What state agencies contribute through the LA SCCC?
  • All executive branch agencies paid through the LaGov HCM payroll system are allowed to contribute in the LA SCCC (not including higher education or state hospitals).  

How will donors be given the opportunity to donate and learn about my charity?
  • Every fall, LAUW will work with appointed department/agency Campaign Coordinators in executing the LA SCCC. Employees will be solicited per departments and given the opportunity to make a contribution via payroll deduction, one time gift and/or special events. When given the opportunity to contribute, all donors will receive a LA SCCC Charity List (with enclosed pledge form) of all eligible charitable organizations (listed in alphabetical order). Presentations, events and fundraisers are determined per department.​ 
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​Are speaking opportunities available through the LA SCCC?
  • Yes. Campaign Coordinators are allowed to request an event speaker and/or charity fair to support their LA SCCC efforts. All speaking engagements at LA SCCC events are coordinated by LAUW.

How are Charity Presenters selected per event?
  • No later than two weeks prior to an event, LA SCCC Campaign Coordinators submit a Charity Request Form to request presenters for a LA SCCC event or charity fair. These forms are submitted to LAUW.
  • LAUW will then solicit all enlisted Charity Presenters via an e-mail, outlining details such as event date, time, location and hosting state department/agency. All e-mails soliciting presenters will only be sent between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. (CST).
  • The charity to reply first with confirmation of availability to serve as a presenter, as outlined on the e-mail, will be assigned to the event. The number of presenters assigned will be determined by the request made by the state department/agency. LAUW uses the time indicated on the reply e-mail to determine the order of e-mail responses received.
  • Once a presenter has been identified, LAUW will promptly confirm event participation with Charity Presenters and Campaign Coordinators. Additionally, LAUW will send a follow-up e-mail to inform all Charity Presenters that the event request has been filled.

How do I sign up to be a Charity Presenter?
  • LAUW will solicit the enlistment of Charity Presenters annually through the identified Primary Contacts of the approved LA SCCC Charities. Deadline for enlistment is Friday, June 30, 2023.

Can my organization have more than one enlisted presenter?
  •  Yes. There is no limit to the number of presenters enlisted per organization. 

As a LA SCCC Charity Presenter, what are my responsibilities?
  • As a presenter, you help to educate donors about how the LA SCCC works (as a whole) and share information about your specific charity. To do so, you will be equipped with the official LA SCCC presentation outline and talking points.
  • If you are assigned to an event, you are expected to arrive on time and be knowledgeable of the presentation protocols (outline, topics and timing). If you are unable to fulfill your assignment for any reason, you are to contact LAUW immediately by calling (225) 295-6631 or e-mailing sccc@launitedway.org. Please provide at least 2 days’ notice of your inability to fulfill the assigned event.
  • All speaking engagements at LA SCCC events are coordinated by LAUW. As per the directive of the Division of Administration, planned attendance by charities in conjunction with LA SCCC fundraising efforts between September 5 and December 1, 2023 must be coordinated through LAUW.

If a state agency/department contributes to other charities and fundraisers throughout the year through work, is that funding now being directed to the LA SCCC? 
  • No. Fundraising activities scheduled outside of the LA SCCC campaign time period are not part of the LA SCCC campaign, therefore funds are not directed to the LA SCCC.
  • The scheduled time frame of the 2023 LA SCCC is September 5 - December 1, 2023. 

Are state agencies/departments allowed to participate in other fundraisers during other times of the year?
  • Charitable activities pursued by employees of state agencies outside of the LA SCCC time period shall not have application to the LA SCCC or be restricted by the rules of the LA SCCC.
  • Approval or guidance for charitable activities outside of the LA SCCC time period are to be directed to the leadership of the respective state agency and not to LAUW.
  • Additionally, these activities will not be coordinated by LAUW.
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