Frequently Asked Questions

1. We want to encourage 100% Participation through financial donations and signing up to be a volunteer through United Way’s Hands on Central Texas volunteer database.
2. What is Hands on Central Texas?
   1. Hands on Central Texas is the affiliate United Way organization encouraging volunteer based philanthropy. This year we want to encourage 100% participation in Travis County and wanted to offer an option of a donation of time over money for employees. More information is available through their website: handsoncentraltexas.org.
3. We are trying to make philanthropy easier this year by partnering with United Way for Greater Austin, who will be an active part of our campaign planning! 
   1. Our 2015 goal is for 100% participation. If you cannot give your money, we encourage you to give your time and choose a project through Hands on Central Texas in which to volunteer.

It Offers Choice

Employees can choose to donate to many different charities, one single charity or donate their time to a registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) of their choice. United Way for Greater Austin and
Hands on Central Texas offers several resources for easy and reliable financial and volunteer contributions. If you opt into payroll contributions, you will contribute to the charity/charities of your choosing every time you receive a paycheck. You also have the choice of making a onetime contribution, volunteer your time, or find creative ways to generate money for donations (i.e. bake sales).

If choosing a specific charity, annual contribution must total at least $50.

It Provides Flexibility

Employees can divide up their contribution over 24 pay period or divide up their volunteer hours between multiple weekends.

It is Convenient

One form and one signature using payroll deduction allow employees to automatically have an amount deducted from their paycheck each pay period. And a one-time sign up with Hands on Central Texas allows for instant access to a database full of volunteer opportunities.

It is Cost Effective

One strong campaign aimed at benefiting several charities allows us to avoid high administrative costs and only asks employees for contributions once a year. 

It Brings Us Together in Support of Our Community

It gives Travis County Employees the opportunity to work together, get to better know one another, and have fun with the goal of giving to those in need – what a great way to strengthen our sense of community!

Several reasons. Payroll contribution allows you the ability to have your gift conveniently contributed in small amounts from each paycheck. Payroll contributions allow you to give more generously because the contribution is spread over an entire year. In addition, payroll contributions give nonprofit organizations a steady income throughout the year. This is important to them because it allows them to plan and implement successful programs with long-lasting impacts.

You do! Each county employee is encouraged to designate his or her gift to the nonprofit organization(s) of their choice.

Yes, every registered 501c3 has an administrative rate. UWATX’s current administrative rate is 12.78% and that is based on last year’s 990 they filed. The reported expenses on the 990 determine what they can charge for the following campaign year and their fee is also based on dollars received not dollars pledged. If you have more questions please feel free to contact your employee campaign leader or Jeffrey King at[email protected].

Yes. Donations are fully tax deductible. The final pay stub of the year may serve as verification for the IRS.

Yes, you may select different charities by adding the address information and donation percentage on the donation form. Make sure the percentages of your gift for each charity total up to 100 percent. When choosing a specific nonprofit, your gift per charity must total $50 per annual contribution. There is no minimum to give to the United Way general fund.

The Travis County Commissioners Court approves campaign guidelines. Campaign oversight is provided by the Planning Committee.

County employees. This year, the Planning Committee is sponsored by Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt and Commissioner Gerald Daugherty.

You make your check out to United Way of Greater Austin. Your pledge form will indicate where your donation is intended. Make sure to include United in Giving Campaign in the “FOR” line of your check.

After your contribution is made it is forwarded to United Way for Greater Austin, who distributes all contributions according to each contributor’s instructions. UWATX vets all 501(c)(3) organizations to ensure they are a legally operating nonprofit.

Your first contribution will be made from your first paycheck in January 2016.

Yes, as long as you understand that the County payroll department must know your identity in order to process your pledge. There is a box to check if you wish to be anonymous.

Yes. The participating nonprofit organizations love to thank you for your support. However, you must provide your complete address to enable the organization to acknowledge your gift.

Payroll (of course), the fiscal agent, and the charity or charities you donate to.

Your name may be added to the mailing lists of charities to which you donate; however, your name is never shared or sold to any other organizations.

No. Unfortunately, this option is only available for permanent employees. However, they can make a one-time contribution.

The Texas Penal Code prohibitions on gambling, as well as the Raffle Enabling Act, do not turn on user-chosen terminology or semantics. Unless an entity can fit within the exceptions cited within the Raffle Enabling Act (generally a member share corporation chartered under the Texas Nonprofit Corporation Act), any activity where one pays something of value for a chance to receive something of value could constitute the illegal act of gambling. However, the traditional "door prize" drawings where the chance to win is not conditioned upon paying anything of value (merely your attendance qualifies you to enter the drawing) are usually not considered illegal gambling. If you are unsure about your special event idea, or if something qualifies as a raffle, please contact Jeffrey King at [email protected].

Hands on Central Texas is the affiliate United Way organization encouraging volunteer based philanthropy. This year we want to encourage 100% participation in Travis County and wanted to offer an option of a donation of time over money for employees.

Employees may visit handsoncentraltexas.org to register and sign up for volunteer opportunities or if they want to get a team together can contact Molly Hahn with United Way for assistance at (512) 225-0355 or[email protected]. 

The Hands on Central Texas website tracks participation by both person and organization. They will provide the United in Giving Planning Committee with a report of Travis County participation. **Make sure to encourage employees when they sign up to provide their workplace location (Travis County)**

What’s New for This Year? We want to encourage 100% Participation through financial donations and signing up to be a volunteer through United Way’s Hands on Central Texas volunteer database. What is Hands on Central Texas? Hands on Central Texas is the affiliate United Way organization encouraging volunteer based philanthropy. This year we want to encourage 100% participation in Travis County and wanted to offer an option of a donation of time over money for employees. More information is available through their website: handsoncentraltexas.org. We are trying to make philanthropy easier this year by partnering with United Way for Greater Austin, who will be an active part of our campaign planning!  Our 2015 goal is for 100% participation. If you cannot give your money, we encourage you to give your time and choose a project through Hands on Central Texas in which to volunteer. Why Is the United in Giving Campaign Such a Great Opportunity for County Employees? It Offers Choice Employees can choose to donate to many different charities, one single charity or donate their time to a registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) of their choice. United Way for Greater Austin andHands on Central Texas offers several resources for easy and reliable financial and volunteer contributions. If you opt into payroll contributions, you will contribute to the charity/charities of your choosing every time you receive a paycheck. You also have the choice of making a onetime contribution, volunteer your time, or find creative ways to generate money for donations (i.e. bake sales). If choosing a specific charity, annual contribution must total at least $50. It Provides Flexibility Employees can divide up their contribution over 24 pay period or divide up their volunteer hours between multiple weekends. It is Convenient One form and one signature using payroll deduction allow employees to automatically have an amount deducted from their paycheck each pay period. And a one-time sign up with Hands on Central Texas allows for instant access to a database full of volunteer opportunities. It is Cost Effective One strong campaign aimed at benefiting several charities allows us to avoid high administrative costs and only asks employees for contributions once a year.  It Brings Us Together in Support of Our Community It gives Travis County Employees the opportunity to work together, get to better know one another, and have fun with the goal of giving to those in need – what a great way to strengthen our sense of community! Why is it better to give through payroll contributions? Several reasons. Payroll contribution allows you the ability to have your gift conveniently contributed in small amounts from each paycheck. Payroll contributions allow you to give more generously because the contribution is spread over an entire year. In addition, payroll contributions give nonprofit organizations a steady income throughout the year. This is important to them because it allows them to plan and implement successful programs with long-lasting impacts. Who decides how my donations are distributed? You do! Each county employee is encouraged to designate his or her gift to the nonprofit organization(s) of their choice.