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 $36.2 million for Colorado charities.

How does donating through the CCC work?
As a state employee, you’re empowered to give and in charge of it. Each year, you can choose from around 500 Colorado nonprofits that represent more than 20 different causes and every corner of the state. Charities apply to participate and are vetted to ensure the highest levels of legal and regulatory compliance. You also choose how to give, whether through payroll contribution (a few dollars each month) or other options. There is no minimum donation.

Who can participate?
The CCC is a benefit of employment for all state agency employees, and employees of state colleges and universities. It was created by executive order in 1987 and has been endorsed by every Colorado governor since.

What is the benefit of making a donation through the CCC?
The CCC enables you to donate directly out of your payroll, in whatever amount you like. This automatic, incremental giving enables most employees to give more than otherwise might be possible. Additionally, 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. Also, recurring giving 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.

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. Therefore, no one assumes because you gave one year that you’ll give the next. It’s easy, though, to replicate your online pledge from year to year. Just look for the prompt when you visit your account at www.ipledgeonline.org/_coloradocombinedcampaign.

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. 

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 iPledge giving system will automatically email you a confirmation of your donation.

How do I get my favorite charity on the list?
If you don’t see them on the list, let us know at info@coloradocombinedcampaign.org. We’ll invite them to apply for 2022 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 charitable 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.

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.

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. One-hundred percent of a donor’s gift to the CCC is tax deductible.

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. The current campaign manager, Community Shares of Colorado, has consistently been under budget in managing the CCC for the last six years. Also, the CCC raises funds for hundreds of charities, versus just one.

Why should I give if a portion of my donation doesn’t go to my nonprofit?
Technically, all of your donation goes to your nonprofit of choice; your gift is 100% tax deductible. Your nonprofit agrees to allow the CCC to keep 15¢ to cover the cost of generating the donation. 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. Further, Colorado nonprofits like participating in workplace giving campaigns because the costs are lower than other types of fundraising, the reach is much greater and the contributions are consistent.

​Who can I call if I have questions about the CCC?
CCC staff members are available to answer your questions any time. Call us at 720-420-3210 or email info@coloradocombinedcampaign.org. Learn more about the CCC at www.coloradocombinedcampaign.org. 

Colorado Combined Campaign
789 Sherman Street, Suite 230, Denver, CO 80203
720-420-3210  |  info@coloradocombinedcampaign.org
www.colorado.gov/ccc