Texas Tech Kicks Off Annual State Employee Charitable Campaign

September 9, 2019

Employees can donate to local and statewide causes with payroll deductions through the campaign.

Texas Tech University celebrated the start of the 2019 State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) last week with the annual kickoff event.

More than 1,300 local nonprofit organizations and agencies in the West Texas campaign were represented at the kickoff event. This year, the event was revamped to encourage more interaction between employees and the organizations in attendance.

"The annual campaign is about far more than the dollars raised," said Texas Tech SECC coordinator Jessica Carrillo. "It's about the people of the South Plains coming together to ensure that every person has the opportunity to thrive and live their best life."

For the past 26 years, Texas Tech has participated in the SECC, contributing millions of dollars to more than 1,300 charities around the state.

In 2018, Texas Tech raised $437,106.18, with the Texas Tech University System raising an additional $42,536 and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) contributing $225,117.

This year, Carrillo said Texas Tech's goal is $441,949, the TTUHSC goal is $225,127 and the System goal is $43,174. Pledges can be submitted via an online form or in person through a paper form.

"SECC is a convenient process that allows the Texas Tech community to give back to organizations that provide valuable resources to those in need," said Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec. "Our employees have always shown their generosity in the past, and the Texas Tech family welcomes the opportunity to support the broader Lubbock and South Plains communities."

Charities benefiting from the SECC range in size and cause, but all must adhere to strict legal requirements and be reviewed by state employee teams to ensure:

They are recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and are registered with the Texas Secretary of State.
They are audited (or reviewed) annually by an accountant in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
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.
They meet other requirements, per the application.

Donations vary and can be made as one-time gifts, a percentage of the giver's annual salary or as a monthly pledge. Each donor has the opportunity to win a variety of door prizes based on their pledge level and employees are encouraged to give an amount they feel is appropriate to their budget.

"No matter how much you give, your donation to the SECC makes a life-changing impact," Carrillo said.

Visit the SECC website for more information.

tags: Faculty, Staff, Stories

Texas Tech University

A new era of excellence is dawning at Texas Tech University as it stands on the cusp of being one of the nation's premier research institutions.

Research and enrollment numbers are at record levels, which cement Texas Tech's commitment to attracting and retaining quality students. In fall 2020, the university achieved a goal more than a decade in the making, reaching a total student population of more than 40,000. In 2018, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education again placed Texas Tech among its top doctoral universities in the nation in the “Very High Research Activity” category. Texas Tech is one of 94 public institutions nationally and 131 overall to achieve this prestigious recognition.

Quality students need top-notch faculty. Texas Tech is home to a diverse, highly revered pool of educators who excel in teaching, research and service. The university strives to foster an environment that celebrates student accomplishment above all else. Texas Tech is large enough to provide the best in facilities and academics but prides itself on being able to focus on each student individually.

The momentum for excellence at Texas Tech has never been greater.

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State Employee Charitable
Campaign (SECC)

The State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) was created by legislation in 1993. The first campaign was run in 1994, and raised $2,027,751. In 2013, the campaign celebrated it's 20th anniversary and through the efforts and generosity of many state employees, the campaign exceeded $9.041 million in donations to more than 500 charitable organizations. The Texas campaign is one of the largest state employee campaigns in the nation — and it's still growing!State employees have so generously given to the SECC because:

It's an easy, effective, and cost-efficient way to give to charity.
Our contributions help improve the quality of life for people in communities locally, across the country, and around the world.
The campaign supports a wide variety of vital health and human services.
All charities in the campaign must meet strict eligibility criteria.
The campaign is for state employees and is governed by state employees.

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