It’s simple to start a workplace giving program with Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW), whether your company sets up payroll contributions or encourages one-time gifts.
Our ePledge online giving system allows you to conduct a completely electronic campaign or you can request printed materials for a paper campaign.
What is required of an employer?
- You assign a campaign coordinator and, with our help, they set up a timeline and distribute information about the campaign.
- Most campaigns take place in the fall and payroll contribution pledges are deducted from paychecks during the next calendar year.
- CSW gives you ideas for campaign promotion. Staff from CSW or member nonprofits are available to attend kickoff events and answer questions at your workplace.
- After the campaign, campaign coordinators contact CSW staff to let them know the campaign is complete. If there are paper pledge forms, you can drop them in the mail or we can pick them up. If you have a fully electronic campaign, no additional reporting is necessary.
If You Set up Payroll Contribution
- Your payroll department sets up an automatic deduction and liability account to collect funds from the pledges.
- Payments can be sent to CSW on a schedule that works best for you: every pay period, monthly, quarterly, or annually.
- Remittance of payroll contribution (payroll deduction) payments typically starts in the calendar year following completion of the campaign. We suggest that payments be made quarterly. Other options are available, as well.
- If you would like to be billed, please let us know. Contact Gray Miller, Campaign Manager at [email protected]. Statements will be sent quarterly.
What if my workplace currently offers a giving campaign with other umbrella charities?
We work along with other fundraising federations in many workplaces. Conducting a side-by-side campaign that includes CSW requires little added work. Studies show that employers who offer choices in workplace giving see an increase in employee participation and total dollars raised.
Corporate Gifts
Community Shares welcomes corporate gifts as part of workplace giving campaigns, but does not require a corporate gift. Organizations choose to provide corporate support in a variety of ways:
- Corporate matching gifts where employee pledges are matched. There a variety of option for the level of match
- Corporate gifts directly to Community Shares of Wisconsin
- Corporate gifts designated to a particular Community Shares of Wisconsin member nonprofit
Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Giving Campaigns
To start a new giving campaign at your workplace, contact Gray Miller at 608-338-1957 or [email protected].