Donor FAQs

Yes, as allowed by law. Only umbrella groups and charities that qualify for federal tax-exempt status may participate in the campaign. Please note: The Pension Protection Act of 2006 requires taxpayers who claim deductions for charitable donations to provide proof of all contributions should they be audited. Be sure to keep a copy of your pledge form for tax purposes. In addition, if you choose payroll contribution, keep copies of all pay stubs and/or other documents from your employer that indicate the amounts you have given to charities. If you contribute by check or credit card, keep all receipts, canceled checks and/or bank statements that verify the amounts and recipients of your contributions. Donors who give by check or credit card will receive a receipt for tax purposes for a single payment of $250 or more. Receipts for gifts of less than $250 are available upon request. If you have any questions about tax deductions for charitable gifts, consult a tax professional.
  • Employees can contribute online by credit card or payroll deduction by clicking on the Donate Now button on this website.
  • Employees may also contribute using a traditional paper pledge form with cash, check or payroll contribution.
    • Paper pledge forms and charity brochures are available from your unit/agency’s volunteer committee and volunteer chair.
Learn more about donating

Since 1973, employees in Dane County have contributed $90 million to local and global charities through the Partners in Giving Campaign. Thank you to our donors for their continued commitment and generosity over the years! Last year, more than 3,700 State, University, and UW Health employees donated over $1.9 million to local, state, national, and international charities. We hope you will join us by being a Partner in Giving, so we can Build a Better Tomorrow Together!

You can give to any of the charities in the digital guidebook. Learn about our umbrella groups on the Charities page.

Digital Guidebook

Every participating charity must meet rigorous standards and pass an annual review by its umbrella organization and an eligibility committee of state and university employees. The Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration gives final authorization to all participating umbrellas and charities. To be part of this campaign, a charity must affiliate with an approved umbrella organization, then apply and meet all the requirements to participate. 

Each charity participating in the State, University, and UW Health Employees Combined Campaign is screened by a committee of state and university employees to ensure that the charity meets the following eligibility requirements:

  • Is a charitable organization
  • Is a member of a participating umbrella group
  • Uses the funds contributed by state employees for the announced purposes
  • Submits a copy of an IRS certificate showing that it is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization under Section 501 (c) (3)
  • Has registered with the Department of Financial Institutions and filed annual reports
  • Has a detailed annual budget prepared and approved at the beginning of each fiscal year by its board of directors
  • Follows accepted fundraising practices
  • Has a formal policy and procedure of non-discrimination
  • Prepares an annual report that
    • is available to the general public
    • includes a full description of its charities
    • identifies the types of solicitation it uses to obtain contributions
    • gives the names of its chief administrative personnel
    • makes full disclosure of the sources and uses of contributions
  • Has furnished information with a certification by an independent certified public accountant showing that it follows standards of accounting and a financial system that is based on generally accepted accounting principles
  • The Eligibility Committee is issue-neutral
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If you disapprove of a charity simply designate the charities you wish your gift to support!

Be assured that your gift will go only to the charities you choose.

Perhaps you have a favorite charity that is not listed in the booklet. Maybe it was listed last year, but now you can’t find it. Here are a few things you should know:

  • Each charity is responsible for maintaining its affiliation with an umbrella organization. Charities occasionally leave or switch umbrellas. Maybe your charity has moved to another umbrella.
  • Each charity must meet the campaign’s eligibility requirements. If a charity does not meet these requirements, it cannot participate in the campaign. The eligibility review takes place annually. If your charity is missing this year, check for it again next year.
  • When all else fails, contact the charity directly. Tell it that, as a donor, you would like to support the charity through the campaign. Find out if it is working to meet the necessary requirements.

Yes. The choice is yours and designations go to the charities you pick. With hundreds of choices, there is at least one charitable organization to suit everyone, regardless of personal interests or beliefs. Just select those you wish to support and designate your contribution to them. (Sorry, the campaign cannot accept write-in charities. If charities you wish to support are not part of the campaign, send your donations to them directly.)

100% of your contribution will go to the charity, charities, or umbrella you designate–the choice is yours. By designating your Partners in Giving contribution to specific charities and/or umbrella groups, you ensure that your gift goes only to those charities or umbrella groups.

Undesignated contributions (e.g. those not designated to a specific charity, charities, or umbrella organization) and money collected through special events (cash, checks, and GiveSmart donations) go to the general campaign fund. A portion of the general campaign fund is used to cover administrative costs of the campaign; the other portion is distributed amongst the umbrella organizations based on the market share of designated donations each umbrella receives. The Partners in Giving campaign operates with a 5% administrative cost. This small percentage covers necessary administrative costs to run the campaign, process all donations, and ensure compliance. Learn more about our participating umbrella organizations and the market share of designated donations each umbrella received on the Charities page.

Common questions and answers regarding contributions can be found on page 5 of the digital guidebook.