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 requirements:

  1. The organization must be non-profit and tax-exempt under the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and any relevant state laws.
  2. The organization must be a corporation in good standing and duly registered with the Missouri Secretary of State's Office.
  3. The organization's financial records must be audited by an independent auditor if it receives $100,000 or more per year from all funding sources.
  4. The organization shall indicate its administrative costs as a percentage of its total expenses for the last full fiscal year (refer to IRS Form 990).
  5. The organization operates without illegal discrimination (religious, racial or otherwise) in employment, delivery of services, and distribution of funds.
  6. The organization provides direct human health and welfare services, including those supporting the environment, wildlife, or habitat conservation.
  7. A detailed annual budget is approved by the organization's governing body in a format consistent with annual financial statements.
  8. A report detailing the activities of the organization is made available to the general public on an annual basis.
  9. The organization raises funds from one or more of the following methods:
    1. community-wide solicitation
    2. statewide solicitation
    3. nationwide solicitation organized with a national board of directors or affiliated with a national board of directors which regularly undertake fundraising activities at that level.
  10. The organization has an active governing board which meets at least quarterly. If board members serve with compensation, the amount of compensation and justification must be submitted with the application.
  11. All organizations receiving monies from the MSECC shall prominently display that fact in all their promotional materials.

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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.

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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) 751-6846.

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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.

Following is a table 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.

 Following is a table of participating federations

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