What is the Charitable Campaign?

The State Employees Charitable Campaign (SECC) is an annual fundraising drive created 'by and for' State of Michigan employees. Each year state employees raise thousands of dollars through the SECC that benefit many local, national and international nonprofit charitable organizations.

The State Employees Charitable Campaign began in 1987 and is open to qualifying charitable United Ways and Federations that represent at least ten Member Charities. To protect the integrity of the campaign, each umbrella organization must present the following documentation for itself and each member charity it represents when applying for campaign participation:

• Michigan charitable solicitation license (or exemption letter) from the Attorney General of the State of Michigan
• Information on the organization's fiscal status (audit report or copy of IRS Form 990)
• 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS
• SECC Affirmation of Non-Discrimination

Participating organizations must carry out a bona fide program of charitable services for health and/or welfare. The majority of participating agencies provide voluntary, charitable, health, and welfare services to individuals or their families that have a direct and substantial benefit to residents or charities in the State of Michigan. Several national and international charitable organizations also participate in the campaign.

Such services must directly benefit human beings, whether children, youth, adults, the aged, the ill and infirm, or the mentally or physically handicapped. Services must consist of care, research or education in the fields of human health or social adjustment, and rehabilitation; relief to victims of natural disasters and other emergencies; or assistance to those who are impoverished and therefore in need of food, shelter, clothing, education, and basic human welfare services.

State of Michigan - Financial Management Guide (Chapter 2, Section 600)