Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Can I Choose Where I Want My Money to Go? 

Yes! You are encouraged to choose those charitable organizations you want to benefit from your contribution. More than 1,200 approved charitable organizations are participating in the MSECC this year. Your pledge card has a space for you to designate contributions to up to five charities. Detailed information about any charitable organization may be obtained by looking them up on this web site (www.msecc.mo.gov) or calling the telephone numbers listed in the printed booklet. Should you choose not to designate to specific charities, your contribution will be allocated to all charitable organizations in the region where you work.

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2. Which Charities are Eligible to be in the MSECC? 

Any charitable organization providing direct human health and welfare services, including those that deal with the environment, wildlife or habitat conservation may participate in the campaign provided it meets the following criteria:

  1. It is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and any relevant state laws.
  2. The organization has an active governing board, meeting at least quarterly. If board members serve with compensation, the amount of compensation and justification must be submitted with the application.
  3. Organizations without substantial Missouri presence may be classified as national agencies.
  4. The organization operates without illegal discrimination; religious, racial or otherwise, both in employment and the delivery of services or the distribution of funds.
  5. The organization's financial records are audited by an independent auditor, if they receive $100,000 or more per year from all sources.
  6. A report detailing the activities of the organization is made available to the general public on an annual basis.
  7. A detailed annual budget is approved by the governing body in a form consistent with annual financial statements.
  8. Its funds may result from one or more of the following:
    1. a community-wide solicitation
    2. a state-wide solicitation
    3. a nationwide solicitation organized with a national board of directors, or is affiliated with a national board of directors which regularly undertakes fund raising activities at that level.
  9. The organization shall be a corporation in good standing and duly registered with the State of Missouri's Office of the Secretary of State. The admission of an organization into the MSECC does not constitute, nor imply endorsement by the State of Missouri of any program, purpose, mission or philosophy of a participating organization.

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3. How Can I Give? 

During the campaign, state employees will be given the opportunity to make a charitable contribution. Payroll deduction is the preferred method, although contributions may also be made by check or money-order. (Cash cannot be accepted by the financial institution, Central Bank). To take advantage of payroll deduction, an employee must pledge a minimum of 50¢ per pay period. The signed pledge card you fill out to authorize your donation will be in effect until the end of the year or until revoked by you in writing.

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4. How Much Should I Give? 

The amount you give is your personal decision, but we urge you to consider the critical needs of the charities and make the most generous gift possible. All gifts made to MSECC charitable organizations are welcomed and greatly appreciated, no matter what the amount. It is the spirit of sharing that is of utmost importance.

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5. If I make a donation to a charity, will my name be released to the charity? 

Donor names are not released to charities unless the donor indicates we may do so by checking the permission box on their pledge card. If this box is checked, names and home addresses will be released to the charity at the end of the campaign cycle.

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6. What is Century Club Plus? 

State employees donating $5 or more per pay period, or donating a minimum of $120 per year, automatically become members of MSECC's Century Club Plus. You may choose to have your name released as a member of this Club by checking the appropriate recognition box on your pledge card. Employees giving permission to be recognized for their generosity will be acknowledged by having their names listed on the MSECC website at the conclusion of each campaign cycle.

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7. What If I Am Pressured to Give? 

The MSECC does not approve of coercion in any form. Giving should be totally voluntary. If you feel you are being pressured to give, consult your personnel office to identify procedures for handling such complaints in your agency. Calls may also be made to the Missouri State Employees Charitable Campaign State Office at (573) 751-0929.

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8. How Much Does It Cost to Operate the Campaign and Who Pays for It? 

The MSECC is a self-supporting fund raising effort which is authorized by state statute (Sec. 33.103, RSMo). All expenses associated with the campaign are paid from the proceeds of the campaign. There are no public monies used in direct support of MSECC, although the Office of Administration does operate and maintain the payroll deduction system. The campaign's administrative cost percentage varies from year to year; however the average cost for the last five years is less than 8%. The MSECC is among the most cost-efficient fundraising mechanisms available to support charitable work.

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9. What is a Federation?
How Do Federations Help Optimize Your Gift? 

A federation is an umbrella organization that represents a group of non-profit organizations. Federations work to make it more efficient for a non-profit organization to work with the community in many ways, usually by supplying cost-effective, common fundraising, administrative and other services to the federation's member organizations. Your local United Way, Community Health Charities, and Earth Share of Missouri are examples of Missouri-based federations.

You may make a gift to a federation, and it will benefit all of the organizations which are affiliated with that federation, in accordance to that federation's policy. Or you may choose to designate your gift to specific non-profits that may or may not be affiliated with a federation.

Whether or not an organization is affiliated with a federation is noted in each organization's full description on this web site.

This is a simple table by city or area of participating federations and their MSECC code number. You can find the federation that serves your city or area by clicking on the appropriate federation name in the table below to show detail information.

 

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