City issues call for groups wishing to participate in annual employee charity campaign in 2008

The City of Austin is accepting applications from qualifying federations and organizations wishing to participate in the 2008 City of Austin Combined Charities Campaign. The deadline for applying is Friday, May 16, 2008.

The purpose of the City of Austin Combined Charities Campaign (COACCC) is to solicit charitable contributions from City of Austin employees. COACCC’s goal is to provide City employees the ability to have the greatest possible impact with their charitable contributions, whether supporting local, statewide, or international charities.

Key objectives of the campaign are to provide equal access to all charitable organizations that meet eligibility requirements and follow application procedures, and to give each City employee the freedom to choose which eligible charitable organization(s) will receive his or her donation.

To participate in the campaign, an organization must be one of the following:

• A federation of 15 or more member charitable organizations that has had and/or whose member agencies have had status as a 501(c)(3) organization for at least one year prior to the application closing date.
• A foundation or charitable organization with 501(c) (3) status that funds or supports a City-sponsored entity in the Austin area.

The services provided must consist of one of the following:

• Human care.
• Research, education or environmental protection in the fields of human health, social, adjustment or rehabilitation.
• Relief for victims of natural disaster and other emergencies.
• Assistance to those who are impoverished and in need of food, shelter, clothing and other basic human welfare services.

This is the first year of a three-year application cycle for the years 2008-2010. In general, participating federations and organizations will be approved for a three-year period. On an annual basis, each participating federation or organization will be required to recertify some information. At the end of the three-year period, participating federations or organizations that are interested in participating in the 2011 campaign will be required to submit a full application.

COACCC Guidelines require that an organization’s administrative percentage, as reported to the IRS, be 25 percent or less. Organizations with an administrative percentage greater than 25 percent are not eligible to participate in the campaign.

Campaign guidelines are reviewed annually by the City and are subject to change. Organizations must comply with the guidelines in place for each year in which they participate in the campaign.

The Human Resources Department will review applications for eligibility. Applicants must meet all requirements established in the guidelines. Incomplete applications will be not accepted. Applicants will receive written notice of the status of their application no later than June 6, 2008.

Applications must be postmarked by Friday, May 16, 2008, and mailed to:

Clemmie Cummins
Human Resources Department
City of Austin
P. O. Box 1088
Austin, Texas 78767

Questions about the program may be directed to Clemmie Cummins at 974-3282.

2008 City of Austin Combined Charities Campaign guidelines
2008 application
25-word description document