1801 Charitable Contributions Program

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Department of Human Services
Human Resources Policy #1801

Charitable Contributions Program

Release Date:

November 15, 1999

Revised Date:

October 2, 2025

Next Review Date:

October 1, 2027

References:

O.C.G.A. § 45-20-50 et seq. — Voluntary Deductions

The State Charitable Contributions Program (SCCP) is an annual statewide program that gives State employees the opportunity to support eligible charitable organizations. Department of Human Services (DHS) employees may choose to contribute through a voluntary monthly payroll deduction or may choose to make a one-time contribution (i.e., cash, check or money order).

Section A: Definitions

  1. "Charitable organization” means any voluntary health, welfare, educational, or environmental restoration or conservation agency that is:

    1. A private, self-governing, nonprofit organization chartered or authorized to do business in the State of Georgia by the office of the Secretary of State;

    2. Exempt from taxation under Code Section 48-7-25;

    3. One to which contributions are authorized as deductible by Section 170 of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as amended;

    4. Qualified as an organization as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code; and

    5. Not a religious organization except that a religious organization is not disqualified to the extent that it operates a health, welfare, educational, or environmental restoration or conservation function on a nonsectarian basis with a distinct and separate budget for this function.

  2. “Eligible voluntary charitable organization" means a charitable organization which:

    1. Actively conducts health, welfare, educational, or environmental restoration or conservation programs and provides services to individuals directed at one or more of the common human needs within a community;

    2. Provides direct and substantial services on a state-wide basis;

    3. Observes a policy and practice of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability, and such policy is applicable to persons served by the agency, to agency staff employment, and to membership on the agency’s governing board; and

    4. Does not expend a substantial portion of its efforts to influence the outcome of elections or the determination of public policy.

  3. “Employee” means any person receiving a payroll check from the state for personal service to an agency.

Section B: Program Administration

  1. The State Personnel Board, through advisory committees, determines which charitable organizations will be included in the program each year and how information regarding the annual campaign will be communicated.

  2. The DHS Commissioner will name a campaign coordinator each year.

  3. DHS organizational units may conduct fund-raising activities related to the Charitable Contributions Program, as approved by management.

Section C: Solicitation

  1. The only authorized solicitation of employees is the annual campaign of the Charitable Contributions Program.

  2. Solicitation by unauthorized charitable organizations for employee contributions is prohibited.

Section D: Coercion Prohibited

  1. Georgia law prohibits coercion of employees to participate in the Charitable Contributions Program. Individual decisions to contribute are voluntary.

For additional information or assistance, please contact your designated Human Resources Representative.