FAQs
What is the NJECC?
In 1985, the NJ State Legislature enacted a Law providing NJ State and Local Municipal employees the opportunity to contribute to a multitude of charities through payroll deduction. The NJECC is the only fundraising campaign authorized to solicit charitable contributions in the state/local municipal employee workplace.
Why should I donate through the NJECC?
The NJECC is a direct way to help those in need sustain local, national, and international health, educational, environmental and social service organizations, and make a meaningful contribution to your community. Giving through the NJECC is cost efficient. 15% of the total dollars received are used to cover the administrative cost of the NJECC. This includes the 10% cap as mandated by the New Jersey State Treasury Department and an additional 5% as determined by the charities that participate in the campaign.
Why is giving through payroll deduction better than sending a check directly to the charity?
Payroll deduction contributions are incredibly beneficial. Regularly contributed funding, even in small amounts, provides the charity with consistent streams of revenue. You can give small amounts with each paycheck and your donations are deducted automatically from each paycheck. It’s easy, efficient, and affordable.
Who can I donate to through the NJECC?
You have the option to donate to more than 650 charities that impact communities on a local, state, national or international level. With so many choices, you can donate to a cause that’s important to you.
When can I donate through the NJECC?
This year's campaign runs September through December 31, 2023.
What payment method options are available?
- One-Year Recurring Payroll Contribution: Your gift will be deducted from your paycheck each pay period for one year, beginning with the first pay period in January 2024 and ending December 2024. You will need to log-in and make your pledge again next year to keep your contributions going (see our new "Sustaining Recurring Payroll Donor" option below). (NOTE: State Centralized Payroll Employees' deductions (24 total pay periods) will commence with the third pay period)
- One-time Check Contribution (using the pledge form): Please make your check payable to “NJECC”. Please mail your completed pledge form, along with your check donation, to your campaign coordinator: P.O. Box 566, Allentown, NJ 08501.
- One-time Credit/Debit Card Contribution: Thanks to support from our campaign partner, the Credit Union of New Jersey, we are able to include credit/debit card as a donation payment method in this year’s campaign, and more of your donation will go to support the NJECC charities making our communities a better place.
- New this year! Sustaining Recurring Payroll Donor: This is similar to the "One-Year Recurring Payroll Contribution" option in that your gift will be deducted from your paycheck each pay period, beginning with the first pay period in January 2024 and ending December 2024. The difference is, prior to next year's campaign, if you selected the Sustaining Recurring Payroll Donor option during this year's campaign you will receive an email notification with a summary of your pledge (around September 2024), asking you to confirm if you would like to keep your pledge going for another campaign year. If you choose to continue your pledge, you won’t have to log in and pledge next year unless you want to make changes to your pledge amount and/or charity designations. By opting-in to have your pledge continue each year, your recurring payroll deduction gifts will keep taking place automatically.
NOTE: To donate using multiple payment methods, please complete all donations for each payment method in separate transactions. For example, if you select “credit card,” then choose all the charities you would like to donate to via credit card and complete the donation process. After you submit your credit card donations, then go back and select the “payroll” payment method, choose the charities you would like to support via payroll, and complete the donation process for those charities.
Who can contribute?
State and local public employees and retirees are eligible to participate. If you are not eligible for payroll deduction you may give by credit/debit card online, or you can use the paper pledge form to give via check.
Are my contributions tax-deductible?
Yes, keep a copy of your pledge form or print your online pledge confirmation email.
Is the codebook available electronically?
Yes! Click here to view a listing of charities to support. We also encourage you to visit our cause pages where you can learn about a broad range of important causes and the charities addressing that cause.
Do I need to fill out another pledge form for this year’s pledge if I have given in the past?
Yes. A new form or online pledge must be completed every year.
What is the URL for the online giving platform?
Can an employee designate less than $52 online?
The state regulation is that a contribution must be a minimum of $52 to be designated. If this requirement is not met for each specified charity, the contribution will be considered undesignated. This state code is printed on the pledge card as well as the home page of the online platform. The online platform cannot automatically “screen” for this requirement, so it is possible for an employee to submit a designated pledge less than $52, just as they can on a hard pledge card. As the coordinator, all you can do is educate and remind your employees of this regulation.
Is there a maximum number of charities that can be designated online?
Assuming each designation meets the regulation of at least $52, there is no maximum number of charities that the online platform will accept. If an employee is filling out a hard pledge card and wishes to designate to more than the allotted 5 organizations, they may attach a supplemental sheet to the pledge card.
Where can employees find their employee ID number, if they do not know it?
For those employees under Centralized Payroll, you can access it on your pay stub via the My NJ Portal: http://www.nj.gov/
For those departments with independent Payrolls, employees should check with the ECC Coordinator.
Can an employee make more than one pledge online?
Yes, they can log in anytime to view their pledge or make another one.
What happens to my contribution if I don’t designate a specific charity?
The NJECC’s rules specify that all undesignated gifts be proportionately distributed to those charities receiving designations. For example, if Charity A receives 5% of designated pledges, then Charity A will also receive 5% of undesignated pledges.
What is the duration of my payroll deduction and when does it begin?
Deductions begin with the first pay period in January 2023 and continue through December 2023.
How are charities approved for the NJECC Brochure?
Charities listed in the NJECC Brochure must apply for admission annually and meet the campaign’s eligibility criteria governed by the NJ State Statute/Regulations.
