UCSF 2009 Charitable Giving Campaign Begins

UCSF employees who can afford to do so are encouraged to donate to their favorite nonprofit, public service organization this holiday season.

The 2009 UCSF Charitable Giving Campaign, themed “The Heart of UCSF,” runs through December 15, but donations can be made through the end of the year.

Faculty and staff will receive through campus mail a pledge form and a brochure listing of all the programs that need financial support especially during this difficult economic time.

“Raising funds through this year’s Heart of UCSF charitable giving campaign is especially critical since many families are struggling – whether it’s because they are unemployed, uninsured, coping with a disease or disability, or just trying to put food on the table and pay the bills,” says Barbara J. French, associate vice chancellor of University Relations.

As in years past, UCSF faculty and staff have numerous choices of worthy organizations to support and make a positive impact on people’s lives locally and globally – whether it’s stocking the pantry shelves at the San Francisco Food Bank or providing temporary shelter and assistance to refugees fleeing from conflict in Darfur, Sudan.

“Last year your campaign raised $90,000 for hundreds of charities in need. And they are in need now more than ever,” says Krystie Collard, executive director of Community Health Charities of California.

This year, the campaign has six agencies, plus UCSF and UCSF Medical Center, to which funds may be donated. They are:

The campaign also encourages donations to any tax-exempt organization, school or church. To contribute to an agency not listed in the campaign brochure, employees should write in the exact name and address of their specified agency or organization on the contribution form.

Employees have the option of donating by onetime check contribution or payroll deduction. Checks should be made payable to the 2009 Charitable Giving Campaign.

Community Health Charities of California processes donor contributions for UCSF for an administrative fee of 11 percent from each UCSF employee contribution.