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Frequently Asked Questions
What is KECC?
The Kentucky Employees
Charitable Campaign (KECC), established in 1993, is a unique opportunity
for Kentucky state employees to donate to the charity of their choice
through the convenience of payroll deduction. The KECC is endorsed by
Governor Ernie Fletcher, and is chaired this year by Secretary of State,
Trey Grayson. The KECC is supported and planned each year by state
employees, the participating charities and the Personnel Cabinet. Thanks
to your generosity last year, the campaign raised over $1.34 million
last year to help those in need.
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Who are the six participating charities of KECC?
KECC is comprised of six partner
charities:
Christian Appalachian Project,
Community Health Charities,
Easter Seals Kentucky,
Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky,
United Ways in Kentucky,
and
WHAS Crusade for Children.
The six partner charities cover more than 1,000 agencies, programs and
services all across the Commonwealth, representing almost every aspect
of health and human services. Please visit the
charities page for more
information on each charity. The six partner charities would love to
hear from you. Please feel free to contact any of the six partner
charities if you have any questions about their organization.
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How do I contribute?
Pledge forms are distributed by
campaign volunteers, fellow state employees. Only one form is required
even if you decide to support more than one charity. Payroll deduction
is the preferred – and most popular – giving method. It’s simple and
allows your gift to touch lives throughout the year. Deductions will be
made twice a month, beginning with the first paycheck in January 2008.
Contributions can also be made with cash or check, which must accompany
the pledge form. Checks should be made out to: KECC (Kentucky Employees
Charitable Campaign).
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How much should I
give?
As you consider your
pledge to the KECC, we hope that you will give generously. Even the smallest gift
will provide help and hope to hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians in
the coming year. Many of you may personally know someone who has needed
help and see the extraordinary work that these charities perform
everyday. For those of us who have been fortunate enough not to need
such services, it is comforting to know that they are here if we need
them.
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I'm already on a tight budget. How can I afford to give?
Even a modest payroll deduction can
help provide vital services to care for children, protect the elderly,
shelter abused women, support disaster and crisis services, and much,
much more. And giving through payroll deduction makes your contribution
even easier because you can spread it over the entire year.
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Can I give to
other charities?
Yes, you may direct your gift to
any 501(c)3 organization by providing the KECC with their address on the
pledge form. To help hold down administrative costs, donations to
“write-in” charities must be for at least $50 for cash donations or $3
payroll deductions. Also, because the six
approved partner charities of KECC pay 100% of the administrative costs,
we do charge non-partner charities a 10% fee for providing this service.
To avoid the administrative fee, you may wish to donate directly to
your charity or consider giving to one of the
six
partner charities which cover
almost any aspect of health and human services with over 1000 agencies,
programs and services represented.
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Is my contribution to the KECC tax deductible?
Yes, to the extent allowed by law. For
tax purposes, nothing of substantial value is given in return for your
contribution. (Always check with your accountant to be sure.)
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Why should I give if none of KECC's service providers help me
or my
family?
You've probably been helped by a KECC-supported
service provider without even knowing it. Besides helping people in
crisis situations, KECC also funds social and community development
programs that enhance the quality of life for all of us. Have you or
anyone in your family ever participated in a community recreation
activity? Do you have a child in day care? How about a summer camp or
after school program? Do you know anyone who has needed home care?
Senior citizen support? Do you know anyone whose life has been touched
by cancer? Alzheimer's? Diabetes? Heart disease? Hospice? These types of
experiences, shared by all, benefit from KECC-supported service
providers.
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When will the charity of my choice receive the contributions I make?
Cash pledges are sent immediately
following the campaign. Because payroll deductions allow you to spread
your donation over the course of a year, the six approved charities
receive payroll gifts quarterly. “Write in” donations are sent to the
charities after your last deduction is made December 31st of next year.
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What is "pledge loss," and how does it affect my payroll deduction
donation?
Each year, many state employees make
good faith payroll deduction pledges to various charities through KECC,
but are unable to fulfill them. In most cases, these employees retire or
change careers before their payroll deduction pledge is fulfilled. Since
KECC never receives their full donations, we cannot pass along funds we
do not have to the charities. Because we are unable to determine which
pledges are paid and which are not, all charities share the actual
amount of the pledge loss on payroll deduction pledges. The percentage
uncollected each year is small, on average around 8%.
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How do I know that my contribution actually goes to the charities I
designated?
If you would like conformation of your
contribution, please mark the name release authorization at the bottom
of your pledge card. Because KECC respects your privacy and
confidentiality, you must provide your home address to be shared
with your selected organizations for acknowledgement purposes. If you
do not acknowledge this on your pledge card, KECC will not pass your
name along to the organization you have chosen to receive your gift.
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Does KECC share my information with third party organizations?
Absolutely not. KECC holds your
information in the strictest manner. Only if you release your
name (for acknowledgment purposes) will any of your personal information
be sent to any other organization.
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I have heard stories of feeling pressured to give in the past. Is this
valid?
Absolutely not. Employee contributions
to the KECC are entirely voluntary and all KECC activities are grounded
on the principle of voluntary giving. Activities that do not allow free
choices or that even perhaps create the appearance that employees do not
have free choice are against the spirit of the KECC campaign policy.
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How do I volunteer to serve on a campaign committee or as a campaign
coordinator?
KECC is always looking for people who
want to help make the campaign even more successful. If you would like
to help, please call KECC at 502.589.2296 or email kecc@uwky.org.
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If you have a
question that is not answered, please call KECC at 502.589.2296 or email
kecc@uwky.org for
your answer.
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