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 contribution to up to four approved, health and human service charities of their choice, by selecting from the LA SCCC Charity List and completing a pledge form. Contributions can also be made online through LEO (payroll deductions) or GiveLASCCC.org (one-time, full-paid contributions).
  • 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) 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?
  • Click here to learn more about the LA SCCC application process. 
  • Applications are accepted in the first quarter of the year. 

What is the campaign timeline for the 2019 LA SCCC?
The 2019 campaign will begin on September 4th: 
  • All employee pledge forms are due on Thursday, October 31st
  • All other special event/fundraiser revenue due on Monday, December 2nd
NOTE: Any pledge form received after January 3, 2020, will be processed as an undesignated contribution.
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How is this different from past United Way state campaigns?
  • The LA SCCC is designed specifically for employees of the State of Louisiana.  
  • The campaign must be executed in accordance with R.S.42:456.A.(3) and LAC 4:III.Chapter 11.
  • Each year, all health and human service agencies throughout the state may apply to be listed as an approved charity of the LA SCCC.

When was the deadline for the 2019 LA SCCC application?
  • March 1, 2019
  • 2020 LA SCCC Applications will be available on January 3, 2020.

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 and existing). 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?
  • All applications received in the first quarter of the year are reviewed by OSUP and the PCFO 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 (PCFO) 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 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 to the PCFO.
 
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 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 (PCFO) 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 18%.
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What is the percentage of fundraising and administrative expenses covered by employee pledges for the 2018 LA SCCC? 
  • Fundraising and administrative expenses for the 2018 campaign was projected to be 19.6%. Based on the performance of the campaign the actual expenses covered by employee pledges is 16.7%.

Can my charity use LA SCCC funding to cover fundraising and administrative expenses? 
  • No. Charity requirements mandate that funds received 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, the PCFO 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/fundraisers. 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, charity fairs and fundraisers are determined per department.

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 the PCFO.

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 the PCFO.
  • The PCFO 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 be only sent between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. (CST).
  • The charity to first reply 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. The PCFO uses the time indicated on the reply e-mail to determine the order of e-mail responses received.
  • Once a presenter has been identified, the PCFO will promptly confirm event participation with Charity Presenters and Campaign Coordinators. Additionally, the PCFO 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?
  • PCFO will solicit the enlistment of Charity Presenters annually through the identified Primary Contacts of the approved LA SCCC Charities. Deadline for enlistment is Friday, July 12, 2019.

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 the PCFO immediately by calling (225) 218-2613 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 the PCFO. 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 3, 2018 must be coordinated through the LA SCCC PCFO.

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 2019 LA SCCC is September 4 to December 2, 2019. 

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 the LA SCCC PCFO.
  • Additionally, these activities will not be coordinated by the LA SCCC PCFO.
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