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What is the Colorado Combined Campaign?
The Colorado Combined Campaign (CCC) is Colorado state government’s official employee giving program. The state established the campaign in 1987 as a beneficial way for employees to easily and efficiently donate to a wide array of nonprofits and support their communities. Since then, state employees through the CCC have raised more than $36.8 million for Colorado charities. The average donation comes to about $1 per day. Who can participate? The CCC is a benefit of employment for all state workers. It was created by executive order in 1987 and has been endorsed by every Colorado governor since. Nearly 60 state agencies and state colleges and universities -- and thousands of state-employees -- participate each year. Who can I give to? Each year, you can choose from over 400 Colorado nonprofits that represent more than 20 different causes and every corner of the state. All charities apply to participate and undergo a rigorous vetting process overseen by state employees to ensure the highest levels of legal and regulatory compliance. How do I give? You choose how to give. There is no minimum donation. Pledge a recurring or one-time payroll contribution in whatever amount that works for you. Other pledge options include credit/debit card and e-check. It's convenient, easy, and affordable -- and every dollar helps. As a state employee, you’re empowered to give and in charge of it. Start by visiting the online giving site. |
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What is the benefit of donating through the CCC?
The CCC enables you to donate directly out of your paycheck, in whatever amount you like. This automatic, incremental giving allows most employees to give more than otherwise might be possible.
Why should I give?
By supporting our nonprofit community, you're strengthening the many
diverse causes it serves -- and assisting others along the way. You're building an even better Colorado. Plus, you benefit yourself. Through your donation, you're living our values, with the help of an established and trustworthy giving program. Join in and do something good for others while also doing something good for yourself!
Why shouldn't I just give to my favorite nonprofit directly?
Colorado nonprofits like participating in workplace giving campaigns like the CCC because the costs are lower than other types of fundraising, the reach is much greater, and the contributions are consistent. Nonprofits can keep their administrative costs lower if they’re processing a single, large payment from the CCC versus multiple, smaller payments from individual donors. Recurring donations creates a sustained form of funding that helps nonprofits year-round.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes. Every agency listed in the CCC Resource Guide & Directory is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations to these groups are eligible for tax deduction on your annual income tax form. You will need to retain a copy of your pledge form and (if giving through payroll contribution) a copy of your final pay stub showing the total amount withheld during the calendar year in order to claim your deduction. Workplace giving donations are post-tax, per IRS guidelines.
Do I get a receipt for my donation?
Your completed and signed pledge form serves as proof of your gift, if you're giving on paper. If you give online, the ElevateGive giving system will automatically email you a confirmation of your donation.
If I currently give through payroll contribution, do I have to sign up again when there’s a new campaign?
Yes. Participation in the CCC is voluntary for a one-year time period. We don't assume you'll give each year just because you gave one year. It is easy to replicate your online pledge from year to year. Just look for the prompt when you visit your account on ElevateGive.
Can I continue to participate when I retire?
Yes. The CCC offers a retiree giving program that enables employees to continue their philanthropic commitment to their charity, cause, community and state after they retire. Visit the special page at www.coloradocombinedcampaign.org/retiree-giving-program.html to learn more and make your gift.
How do I get my favorite charity on the list?
If you don’t see them on the list, fill out this form. We’ll invite them to apply for 2024 and send them the needed materials that outline all of the required criteria.
Who manages the CCC?
The CCC is managed by Community Shares of Colorado, an expert in workplace giving services. Community Shares was awarded a contract with the state to run the campaign and works closely with the all-employee CCC Advisory Committee to plan and manage operations. The CCC also partners with volunteers from across state government to run the campaign.
Is the CCC cost effective?
Yes. In comparison to other forms of fundraising such as grant writing (20¢ for every dollar raised), events (50¢), and, direct mail ($1), workplace giving (15¢) is among the most cost-effective. Also, the CCC raises funds for hundreds of charities, versus just one. Campaign manager Community Shares of Colorado is consistently at or under budget in managing the CCC.
How is the CCC financed?
The CCC’s annual budget is determined based on the amount of the previous year’s donations. To encourage, process and distribute donations, the CCC incurs operational costs. No campaign expense is born by the state. Rather, the CCC uses a cost-sharing model. To finance their participation, nonprofits allow the CCC to keep 15¢ for every dollar raised to cover essential administrative/management costs. This amount has been constant for many years and has not increased. Nonprofits apply to be part of the CCC acknowledging the cost-sharing model because it’s an economical way for them to reach a large audience of potential donors.
How is the CCC held accountable?
The campaign’s activities are overseen by a committee of state employees (the CCC Advisory Committee), which meets nearly every month to set policy, approve plans and guide direction. The CCC Advisory Committee approves the annual budget and monitors expenses each month. In addition, the CCC is audited yearly and is a Colorado nonprofit registered and in good standing with the Secretary of State.
Why should I give if a portion of my donation doesn’t go to my nonprofit?
Your nonprofit agrees to allow the CCC to keep 15¢ to cover the cost of generating the donation, and your gift is 100% tax deductible. Because no state funds can be used to cover the cost of reaching Colorado’s 75,000 state employees, the state partners with a nonprofit to help manage the campaign for a low cost.
The CCC enables you to donate directly out of your paycheck, in whatever amount you like. This automatic, incremental giving allows most employees to give more than otherwise might be possible.
Why should I give?
By supporting our nonprofit community, you're strengthening the many
diverse causes it serves -- and assisting others along the way. You're building an even better Colorado. Plus, you benefit yourself. Through your donation, you're living our values, with the help of an established and trustworthy giving program. Join in and do something good for others while also doing something good for yourself!
Why shouldn't I just give to my favorite nonprofit directly?
Colorado nonprofits like participating in workplace giving campaigns like the CCC because the costs are lower than other types of fundraising, the reach is much greater, and the contributions are consistent. Nonprofits can keep their administrative costs lower if they’re processing a single, large payment from the CCC versus multiple, smaller payments from individual donors. Recurring donations creates a sustained form of funding that helps nonprofits year-round.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes. Every agency listed in the CCC Resource Guide & Directory is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations to these groups are eligible for tax deduction on your annual income tax form. You will need to retain a copy of your pledge form and (if giving through payroll contribution) a copy of your final pay stub showing the total amount withheld during the calendar year in order to claim your deduction. Workplace giving donations are post-tax, per IRS guidelines.
Do I get a receipt for my donation?
Your completed and signed pledge form serves as proof of your gift, if you're giving on paper. If you give online, the ElevateGive giving system will automatically email you a confirmation of your donation.
If I currently give through payroll contribution, do I have to sign up again when there’s a new campaign?
Yes. Participation in the CCC is voluntary for a one-year time period. We don't assume you'll give each year just because you gave one year. It is easy to replicate your online pledge from year to year. Just look for the prompt when you visit your account on ElevateGive.
Can I continue to participate when I retire?
Yes. The CCC offers a retiree giving program that enables employees to continue their philanthropic commitment to their charity, cause, community and state after they retire. Visit the special page at www.coloradocombinedcampaign.org/retiree-giving-program.html to learn more and make your gift.
How do I get my favorite charity on the list?
If you don’t see them on the list, fill out this form. We’ll invite them to apply for 2024 and send them the needed materials that outline all of the required criteria.
Who manages the CCC?
The CCC is managed by Community Shares of Colorado, an expert in workplace giving services. Community Shares was awarded a contract with the state to run the campaign and works closely with the all-employee CCC Advisory Committee to plan and manage operations. The CCC also partners with volunteers from across state government to run the campaign.
Is the CCC cost effective?
Yes. In comparison to other forms of fundraising such as grant writing (20¢ for every dollar raised), events (50¢), and, direct mail ($1), workplace giving (15¢) is among the most cost-effective. Also, the CCC raises funds for hundreds of charities, versus just one. Campaign manager Community Shares of Colorado is consistently at or under budget in managing the CCC.
How is the CCC financed?
The CCC’s annual budget is determined based on the amount of the previous year’s donations. To encourage, process and distribute donations, the CCC incurs operational costs. No campaign expense is born by the state. Rather, the CCC uses a cost-sharing model. To finance their participation, nonprofits allow the CCC to keep 15¢ for every dollar raised to cover essential administrative/management costs. This amount has been constant for many years and has not increased. Nonprofits apply to be part of the CCC acknowledging the cost-sharing model because it’s an economical way for them to reach a large audience of potential donors.
How is the CCC held accountable?
The campaign’s activities are overseen by a committee of state employees (the CCC Advisory Committee), which meets nearly every month to set policy, approve plans and guide direction. The CCC Advisory Committee approves the annual budget and monitors expenses each month. In addition, the CCC is audited yearly and is a Colorado nonprofit registered and in good standing with the Secretary of State.
Why should I give if a portion of my donation doesn’t go to my nonprofit?
Your nonprofit agrees to allow the CCC to keep 15¢ to cover the cost of generating the donation, and your gift is 100% tax deductible. Because no state funds can be used to cover the cost of reaching Colorado’s 75,000 state employees, the state partners with a nonprofit to help manage the campaign for a low cost.
