State Employee Charitable Campaign
The State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) is the workplace giving campaign for State of Texas employees, including state universities and colleges. The University of Texas at San Antonio participates in the SECC with the coordination of donations managed by the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County.
What is the SECC?
Thanks to legislation that created the State Employee Charitable Campaign in 1993, employees of state agencies, junior and community colleges, and universities throughout Texas enjoy the benefit of giving to many of their favorite charities through an annual workplace giving campaign which features the convenience of payroll deduction. We can be proud that the campaign has grown so much over 10 years, with donations exceeding $8 million for charitable organizations in 2006. It's not hard to see why employees in Texas, the Friendship State, have responded so enthusiastically to the SECC:
- It's an easy, effective and cost-efficient way to give to charities.
- Our contributions help improve the quality of life for people in communities locally, across the country and around the world.
- The campaign supports a wide variety of vital health and human services.
- All charities in the campaign must meet strict eligibility criteria.
How does it work?
Giving through the SECC is easy and convenient. Each fall, we get the opportunity to learn about the charities in the SECC, choose which ones we want to help, and then fill out a pledge form to indicate how much we wish to donate to which groups. We can make a one-time gift by cash or check. Or, even better, our gift can be deducted from each paycheck beginning at the first of next year. The campaign runs from October 1st through October 19th. During this time period, you can expect to attend an informational meeting or be approached by a co-worker with information and a pledge form.
Why should I give?
- To help those who are less fortunate through no fault of their own.
- To support a favorite cause or charity on a regular basis.
- It's the right thing to do.
- It will make you feel great.
- It's tax deductible.
How do I give through SECC?
The SECC is the charitable giving campaign for state government and the higher education workplace. Giving through the SECC is one of the easiest things to do. Each year, over 50,000 of your fellow state and higher education employees contribute through a payroll deduction or a cash/check gift. In 2006, through the generosity of state and higher education employees, over $8 million was contributed to many charities and federations. The best and easiest way to give is through Payroll Deduction. You can designate to charities of your choice through the SECC and have your gift deducted from your paycheck. This spreads your giving over a year and increases the impact you can make to those causes you choose to support. Cash and check giving is also accepted. You can still designate your gift to your favorite charities.
Benefits of Payroll Deduction
Payroll deduction offers a special opportunity to do more and feel it less.
- It helps to minimize costs while maximizing your contribution.
- You can manage your own philanthropy – you know when deductions start and that you can end them at any time.
- It saves time and takes little effort.
- Best of all, by donating a specific amount from each paycheck, you can make a much more significant impact on causes you wish to help.
How much should I give?
How much to give is totally up to you; your personal generosity is no one's business but your own and remains confidential. Still, many of us like to have some idea of what is appropriate to consider as a gift. First, you might consider participating as a leadership giver - one of the many people who like to do a little more by donating at the leadership giving levels described later. Second, you might consider one of the standards used in campaigns like this throughout the nation - giving one hour's pay per month, usually calculated as .006 of your annual salary. Third, give what you feel is appropriate for you and your budget – any gift, no matter how large or small, can make all the difference in the world to the charities in this campaign.
For more information about SECC, please visit www.secctexas.org
For more information about the United Way, please visit www.unitedwaysatx.org