How did the Campaign come about?
Twenty-six years ago the City University of New York made the decision to establish a vehicle for CUNY employees to direct the charitable commitment of the university. Many employees were tired of constantly being asked to contribute to individual charities at various times of the year. They asked for a single charity drive. It is designed to provide the CUNY community the opportunity to give to charities of their choice. The campaign is the only university-wide annual charitable fundraising drive. It is now in its twenty-sixth year.
Your Contribution?
All of the money raised through The CUNY Campaign comes from individual employees, who contribute through voluntary payroll deductions or cash/check donations at the workplace. This means that your role in the campaign is especially critical. The funds you raise will help support an immense array of services offered by The CUNY Campaign agencies. The 43 college-based organizations benefit largely from these contributions.
Why Payroll Deductions?
Contributing in installments through payroll deduction is an easy, convenient way to give. There are two ways of giving through payroll deduction (see Section A on the pledge form). First, you can select the continuous giving option that allows you to have your pledge automatically renewed each year. Second, you can select the pledge deduction for the given campaign year. This option will only allow you to make a contribution in the given campaign year with deductions beginning in January 2009 and continuing through December 2009.
Employees who are currently contributing through payroll deductions, and have not opted for the continuous payroll deduction, should be aware that their payroll deductions will expire at the end of December 2009, and will not continue into the new year unless a 2009 pledge form is completed.
Payroll deductions may be canceled at any time by notifying the payroll department.
Designation Information & Instructions
There are two ways to designate to organizations of your choice:
- You may designate all of your contribution to The CUNY Campaign. This means your gift will be shared equally by all of the charitable organizations participating in the campaign.
- You may designate your contribution to a maximum of four specific organizations per pledge form.
Please check the appropriate box at the top of the pledge form to indicate whether you are a City or State payroll employee. After completing the form, keep the donor copy for your records, and return the balance of the pledge form to your campus coordinator or (captain/solicitor). Please note, if you fail to designate, your contribution will be placed in the CUNY Campaign fund, code #0100 (see above).
Impact of Your Gift
Youth & Character Development
Enriching social and recreational programs for youth
Education/Job Training
Promoting self-sufficiency
Healthy Families
Providing child care and family service programs
Emergency Support
Obtaining food, clothing, shelter and financial assistance
Health Related Services
Accessing health care, community education, service for the elderly and the physically challenged, and meals for sick and needy individuals
Community Investment
Building information and referral services, volunteer opportunities, and community services
Environmental Causes
Your gift helps preserve, protect and defend the environment
International Causes
Global support including disaster relief, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for the poor
Frequently Asked Questions
How does The CUNY Campaign serve the CUNY Community?
There are currently 43 CUNY-based charities in the campaign (see CUNY-based organizations). Over the years the CUNY organizations have benefited greatly from support of donors whom have designated their contributions to these charities.
Does The CUNY Campaign Save Charities Money?
Yes. By agencies joining together in the campaign, substantial savings occur for all agencies…combining the efforts of all the charities, the cost for one campaign is distributed among over 1,000 agencies, in equal proportion to the money they receive; therefore, no one agency is charged more than they receive.
Will my Gift go to Charities I do not like?
No. Your gift will only go to those charities you designate. The campaign is designed to give donors the ability to direct their contribution. If a donor does not designate their gift, it will be divided among all the organizations participating in the campaign.
Is the CUNY Campaign a United Way Campaign?
No. The CUNY Campaign is the annual charitable campaign of the City University of New York. It provides the employees of CUNY the opportunity to support the programs and services of organizations of their choice.
Is there a difference between The CUNY Campaign and United Way of New York City?
Yes. The City University of New York contracts United Way of New York City to manage the CUNY Campaign. United Way is also one the participating organizations in the campaign and receives money through the CUNY Campaign only if a donor designates their gift to them. The United Way is treated exactly the same way as any other participating organization in the campaign.
What is the role of United Way in The CUNY Campaign?
United Way is contracted by the City University of New York to be the fiscal manager for the CUNY Campaign. It is responsible for the directing all donor dollars to the designated agencies.
Why give to the campaign when I do not use any of the agencies’ services?
A better question is whether you could be using any of the agencies’ services. Most people simply do not know how much the over 1,000 agencies have to offer families and individuals. Check the index of agencies for programs that might apply to you now or in the future. You might also recognize one or more agencies that have touched your life in the past, or the life of a family member, friend or co-worker.
I already give to a Charity, why should I give through The CUNY Campaign?
That’s great! Chances are that your favorite agency is listed in the campaign brochure. You can continue to give to the group with the ease of payroll deduction. In addition, giving through payroll deduction ensures a steady stream of income for your favorite charity throughout the year.
How do agencies get to be a part of The CUNY Campaign?
An application process is held for every agency requesting to be a part of the campaign. This includes agencies recommended by CUNY employees (see section G on the pledge form).
How can I be sure that a contribution to a specific agency is sent there?
Check section D on the pledge form. The agency to which you designated money will send you an acknowledgment.
Participating Charities
The CUNY Campaign consists of 43 CUNY-based agencies, independent non-profit organizations, and federations (this link will take you to the listing of federations that will include their mission statement and an alpha listing of their members) (“umbrella” organizations with their own member agencies) that have come together—often because of common interests or goals—to maximize their efficiency and effectiveness in workplace fundraising and related efforts.
There are more than 1,000 charities participating in The CUNY Campaign for Voluntary Charitable Giving. To be eligible to participate in the campaign, a charity must meet specific guidelines.
Campaign Highlights/Special Recognition 2008-2009
The CUNY Campaign is pleased to announce the 2008 results of $627,319. This is the most raised in the CUNY history. All of the money raised through The CUNY Campaign comes from individual employees, who contribute through voluntary payroll deductions or cash/check donations at the workplace. The funds raised will help support an immense array of services offered by the participating agencies in the CUNY Campaign.
CHAIRPERSON’S AWARD
A trophy is awarded to the college with the highest capacity of giving.
- CUNY Central Office
HIGHEST ACHIEVER AWARDS
A plaque is awarded to the community and senior college in recognition of achieving the highest total gift in the campaign.
- CUNY Central Office
- Fiorello H. LaGuardia Community College
GOAL BUSTERS
A plaque is awarded to the colleges that have equaled or surpassed their goal.
- Bernard M. Baruch College
- Borough of Manhattan Community College
- Bronx Community College
- City College
- CUNY Central Office
- CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
- CUNY School of Law
- Fiorello H. LaGuardia Community College
- Herbert H. Lehman College
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Kingsborough Community College
- Medgar Evers College
- New York City College of Technology
- Queensborough Community College
- York College
EXTRA MILE AWARD
A plaque is awarded to the college in recognition of outstanding leadership and support.
- Fiorello H. LaGuardia Community College
CHANCELLOR'S CIRCLE
Donors contributing $1,040 or more to the campaign.
- 153 donors = $214,052
CUNY LEADERSHIP GIVING CIRCLE
Donors contributing $500 to $1,039 to the campaign.
- 229 donors = $131,835
