Charity campaign seeks new “partners in giving’

Wisconsin’s largest annual workplace campaign for charity consistently breaks its own record while raising money for worthy causes.

Last year, the State, University and University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics Combined Campaign of Dane County (SECC) brought in more than $2.26 million, the most in its history.

Lately, though, the additional money has come not from new givers, but from loyal contributors who increase their donations. So this fall, the campaign is making a special appeal to new employees and others who have not contributed before, asking them to join the cause.

The 2000 SECC, continuing with the theme of “Partners in Giving,” kicks off Oct. 16 and ends Dec. 1. This year the goal is $2.35 million.

More than 11,500 employees contributed to the 1999 SECC. While that number is heartening, for every eligible person who gave, roughly two did not. On the university side, one out of every four employees contributed last year.

“If you attract more givers, then naturally you’ll raise more dollars,” says Phyllis Fuller, co-chair of the SECC Administrative Board and manager of optional plans in the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.

Charities and other nonprofit organizations need more dollars every year to meet the ever-growing demand for their services. SECC co-chair Greg Zalesak, administrator of the Medical School’s neurology and neurological surgery departments, sees the “Partners in Giving” effort as an opportunity for employees to support charitable groups in their vital work.

“It’s very hard to go through the brochure and not find at least one organization that has helped you or your family or your neighbors,” he adds. “Being involved in this campaign is a way of giving something back.”

Through SECC, employees can support their choices among more than 300 nonprofits or 10 umbrella organizations through payroll deduction, cash or check.

SECC has raised more than $28 million for charitable organizations since its inception in 1973. Because the campaign is run by volunteers, its overhead costs are very low – 3 percent of the total raised.