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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Community Health Charities of California?
Community Health Charities of California is a "federation" (or umbrella group) that raises money in the workplace to fund and support the local California chapters of over 50 regional and national member health charities. CHCC was established in 1971 in the Northern California Bay Area, and now has 5 branch offices throughout California.
Why do health charities belong to Community Health Charities of California?
Members of CHCC partner with us to raise money from employees in their place of business. Each of our health charity members raises money through their own special events and grant funding. But working with a "federation", such as CHCC, is the only access our members have to "payroll deduction fundraising".
Membership with Community Health Charities of California is the most cost effective mechanism for the charities. Our very low overhead rate gives the charities maximum return for minimal output. Additionally, our quarterly distribution of funds to the charities insures a steady stream of income to them throughout the year that they can count on; as opposed to an influx of funds in one lump sum after one event.
How does Community Health Charities of California select its member charities?
Health charities choose to apply to Community Health Charities of California for membership. A charity must have local offices in the state of California, be health-related, and provide patient services, community education, and support medical research. It must also meet all the Criteria for Membership as established in the CHCC By-Laws. Information documenting its compliance with the Criteria is provided to the Community Health Charities of California Board's Admission and Review Committee for a charity to be considered. Once accepted, annual updates of fiscal information are requested to keep Community Health Charities of California's records current. Annual site visits are made by CHCC staff to each member chapter.
How does Community Health Charities of California raise funds? How does Community Health Charities of California distribute funds?
Employees' donations are distributed quarterly directly to the non-profit charity chosen, or "designated", by the donor. This may be a member charity of CHCC or it may be a "non-member" non-profit charity that the donor has asked us to send for them. The administrative fee retained by CHCC for member charities in corporate campaigns is 15%, for non-member charities this fee is 20%. No other fees are deducted from the donor's contribution when funds are disbursed exclusively through Community Health Charities of California.
Community Health Charities of California raises funds for its member health charities in one way only. CHCC conducts "payroll deduction" or "workplace giving" campaigns with federal, state, municipal and corporate employees throughout California. With offices in San Jose, Walnut Creek, Sacramento, Los Angeles and Anaheim, Community Health Charities of California is working for local health charity chapters throughout the state.
Why should we add Community Health Charities of California to our workplace giving campaign?
First, to provide your employees a direct donation choice to support the health issues in your community. Community Health Charities of California is the only federation with an exclusive health focus and membership. The health charities CHOOSE CHCC to be their fundraising federation of choice because we have their trust to be their fiscal agent for workplace giving campaigns. The health charities choose to be part of Community Health Charities of California as their representative in these campaigns.
Second, as an employer, you may not be aware of the personal health issues affecting your employees or their family and friends. By adding Community Health Charities of California, you support the vital services that directly affect the health and well-being of your employees. Many times employees become aware of health-related services in their community through charity presentations. Employees have continually let it be known that they appreciate having a choice for their charitable dollars.
Why should we add Community Health Charities of California when other federations have "Donor Choice"?
Community Health Charities of California offers our member health charities as an equally visible choice in your campaign. "Donor option" serves charities who have are not represented in the campaign, but it does not bring them the same fundraising return. "Write-in candidates" don't win elections. Adding CHCC to your campaign gives the member health charities an equal visibility with the other federated charities in your campaign, and increases the funding going to health services in your community.
We already have an employee giving campaign in place. Won’t adding a CHC campaign take funds away from our current efforts?
Actually, it’s the exact opposite – expanding employee giving choices has proven historically to increase donations across the board. We’ve learned that when employees are given more control over how they donate their hard-earned money (and more ways to do so), they are more inclined to give. So adding a CHC campaign is likely to improve your existing employee giving efforts.
Our employees already contribute to United Way. So why should we consider CHC?
While United Way funds a wide array of social service and welfare agencies, they do not fund most health causes and they do not fund medical research – both of which are covered by CHC. Many of the companies we work with are long-time supporters of United Way, but they want to do more to support important health issues in their community. CHC is the ideal way to add a health component to their employee giving efforts, while maintaining their relationship with United Way.
If we decide to include CHC, will we have to set up a whole new campaign?
Absolutely not. Only one campaign would be run, most likely during your scheduled campaign season. CHC participates with many other federations in side-by-side campaigns, which typically leads to an increase in total donations (as mentioned above). Employees appreciate being given more choice!
How much extra work is involved if we include CHC in our campaign?
A CHC representative will meet with you and/or your payroll department to discuss how we can enhance your existing campaign without increasing your workload or costs. Our professional staff is here to help with every aspect of your campaign – from campaign materials to training the employees who will manage the process. It is our goal to make your CHC campaign as easy and hassle-free as possible.
Our company encourages employees to give on their own, so do we really need a CHC campaign?
Payroll deduction is a more convenient way for your employees to make charitable contributions, enabling them to spread their donations throughout the year. In fact, a payroll deduction gift is generally 4 to 6 times greater than a one-time cash contribution! Most employees consider payroll deduction to be a valuable company benefit. It truly is the most effective and efficient way to raise needed not-for-profit dollars.
Still have questions that need to be answered? Please contact us anytime.
