Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
What is the role and value of charitable federations such as Community Health Charities Iowa?
“One stop shopping” is provided for your company, enhancing campaign efficiency and effectiveness. A federation ensures that employees are offered charitable giving choices that meet the highest accountability standards. Federations also simplify and reduce pledge processing costs while providing accurate and timely reports to member charities from multiple campaigns, reducing the number of individual financial transactions. Agencies appreciate the cost efficiency of receiving one check from many employer campaigns.
What is an “expanded campaign” and is organizing one easy?
It is a payroll investment charity drive at the workplace that includes the participation of more than one federation of nonprofit charities. The major federations focus on issues relating to health, human services, environment and social justice. Yes, Community Health Charities Iowa will provide your company with the resources to smoothly transition to a combined campaign model. With careful planning and execution, using the tools the federation offers, implementing a combined campaign can bring about great results.
Does it cost us anything to conduct a Community Health Charities Iowa campaign?
Community Health Charities Iowa can provide the necessary materials at no cost to you or work with you to design specific materials. Aside from the payroll department taking the time to make the necessary employee deductions and then distribution to the federation, there should be no additional cost to you. Community Health Charities Iowa handles the distribution of funds to its individual member agencies, allowing you to track all donations in just one line item.
Is there flexibility in how a campaign is run?
Yes, we can meet your needs in almost any instance. Our goal is to accommodate your needs for the benefit of you and your employees and the charities we serve.
Can we expand our current campaign to include other charitable federations and if we do won’t another option exceed our employees’ capacity to give?
No, studies have shown that existing campaigns are re-energized by adding choice and overall giving typically goes up. Our member charities are distinctly different from other campaign choices which often attract new donors. One of the things we have heard from employees is that they appreciate having choice. The member health charities of Community Health Charities Iowa draw many people into the campaign who otherwise might not participate.
How are donations distributed?
Community Health Charities Iowa encourages your employees to designate their payroll investment to the agency or agencies of their choice. Once the choice is made, Community Health Charities Iowa forwards those dollars onto the respective charity. If the investment is made to Community Health Charities Iowa, those funds are distributed amongst our 19 member charities.
If participation in our employee campaign is already very low, is it worth the trouble?
It is worth it. Adding a new choice may be the best way to improve participation and it can stimulate interest and get more people thinking about the importance of giving, whatever the cause. Often, a struggling campaign needs to change, not stagnate. A low participation rate is often indicative of employees being dissatisfied with their current choices. Community Health Charities Iowa’s diverse member health charities provide a broad spectrum of giving choices which provides for renewed energy, enthusiasm and attention for the campaign.
What if our employees don’t like some of Community Health Charities Iowa member charities?
Our pledge form allows for donor designation of dollars by your employees and actually encourages employees to designate to their favorite charity. Just as with other charitable organizations that are already a part of your campaign, Community Health Charities Iowa is a diverse community of health charities and not everyone is going to personally support all the causes represented by any given umbrella organization. Our organization is so that your employees may contribute to all the charities or pick and choose specific organization. It’s your check, it’s your choice.
