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California State Employees Charitable Campaign

California State Employees Charitable Campaign (CSECC)

California State Employees Charitable Campaign Fifty Years Logo

The California State Employees Charitable Campaign (CSECC) was established in 1957 to provide a single charitable fund raising drive in the State community. During the fall, each state employee is given a payroll deduction pledge form and a Donor Resource Guide listing the participating charitableorganizations. The California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board screens these nonprofits to ensure their eligibility but does not endorse them in any way. State employees may also donate to any 501c3 nonprofit even if they are not listed in the Donor Resource Guide.

Quick facts about CSECC:

  • By law, each employee will receive a payroll deduction pledge form and a list of agencies approved by the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB).
  • The VCGCB selects the organization (PCFD) best qualified to manage the CSECC in a designated geographical area.
  • CSECC maintains one of the lowest administrative costs, 14%. The VCGCB approves these administrative costs on an annual basis.

What is a PCFD?


Annually the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board approves a number of nonprofits to coordinate the workplace giv-ing campaign for each of the 31 regions. These organizations are known as Principal Combined Fund Drive (PCFD) Agencies and are traditional-ly local United Ways. The Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board authorizes these PCFD Agencies to deduct the administrative and fundraising costs incurred while managing the campaign. Approved PCFDs are listed on page 6 of this guide. Why was your local United Way chosen as the PCFD? Your local United Way was chosen as the PCFD for the California State Employees Charitable Campaign for the following criteria:

  • Efficiency: Fund-raising costs are low, allowing nearly all of your contribution to go to community charities.
  • Variety: Supports a great number of local agencies in your area.
  • Effectiveness: Has the ability to successfully distribute the funds raised.

What is a Federation?

A federation is a group of nonprofits under one "umbrella." Most federa-tions (as noted in the Table of Contents) and their member organiza-tions have a common focus such as the environment, children's issues, health and human services, or medical research.

Your Giving Options

  • Designate - You can give to any 501c3 nonprofit by filling out the designation portion of the pledge form. The agency does not have to be listed in this brochure.
  • Give to Your Local PCFD - Your gift impacts local community issues identified by volunteers at the PCFD.

Five Reasons to Give to the California State Employees Charitable Campaign (CSECC)

  1. Variety: The CSECC offers hundreds of choices. And since you can give to any 501c3 nonprofit agency, there's a choice for everyone.
  2. Convenience: Payroll deduction makes giving easy and automatic.
  3. Tax Deductible: Your gift is a tax deduction! The bigger the gift, the bigger the deduction.
  4. Feels Good: You can direct your gift to the organization(s) you feel most passionately about.
  5. Cost Effective: CSECC maintains one of the lowest administrative costs, 18% or below.
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