Texas Tech Kicks Off 21st State Employee Charitable Campaign
September 4, 2014
Red Raiders helped raise $787,000 last year, and this year’s goal is $800,000.
President M. Duane Nellis
Texas Tech University kicked off the 2014 State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) Sept. 2 with an event at Jones AT&T Stadium.
This year marks Texas Tech’s 21st SECC.
“This is such an important initiative for our university as we provide support to so many worthy agencies throughout our community,” said Texas Tech President M. Duane Nellis. “Texas Tech has a strong tradition of community engagement, and it says something about us as a Red Raider community that we are willing to give and help those in need. I take great pride that so many of us participate in this initiative.”
Event attendees met with 30 different agencies that benefit from the donations made to the SECC.
Last year, the Greater West Texas SECC region, which includes Lubbock, Abilene and the Permian Basin, raised a record $1,022,928. Texas Tech — which includes the university, Texas Tech System and the Health Sciences Center — accounted for 77 percent of that total, or $787,000.
Texas Tech encourages donors to submit pledges online.
This year, Texas Tech’s fundraising goal is $800,000.
“We are looking forward to working with the Red Raider community to reach and, hopefully, surpass our goal,” said David Abercia, the campaign coordinator for Texas Tech. “This is a great initiative because it’s our chance to give back to our community and change as many lives as possible.”
Making the Pledge Process Easier
Like last year, the pledge form can be submitted online. The paper pledge form can still be completed, but the university encourages employees to use the new form.
The campaign supports a wide variety of charities and causes, ranging from small local organizations to large and well-known national and international groups. According to the university’s SECC website, charities that wish to participate must meet stringent legal requirements, and then be scrutinized by teams of state employees to ensure:
- They are recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and registered with the Secretary of State.
- They are audited (or reviewed) annually by an accountant in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices.
- They provide direct or indirect health and human services.
- They spend no more than 25 percent of funds raised on administration and fundraising
unless they qualify for a one-year exception due to special circumstances.
Different Donor Levels
Employees can decide to participate as a leadership giver by donating $1,000 or more. Other standards used in the campaign include giving one percent of annual pay (Lone Star Gold level) or one hour of pay per month, calculated as .006 of an employee’s annual salary (Lone Star Red & Black level). Lone Star members will receive a mug and two tickets to a Texas Tech athletics game.
Abercia said employees are encouraged to give what they feel is appropriate for them and their budget.
The SECC website has a wealth of resources available for everyone, including the campaign brochure, a mini-directory of charities, the deposit summary report for paper pledge forms and one-time gifts, the campaign calendar with all events and reporting dates, and the campaign video.
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