Employee Giving Breaks Records

The numbers are in for 2012 and NC State broke all previous records with its Wolfpack Gives Back effort, the annual State Employees Combined Campaign that allows employees to make charitable donations to over 1,000 nonprofit organizations. NC State employees took the campaign over the $600,000 goal line, setting a new record of $647,657 with a 41 percent participation rate, an increase of 7 percentage points over last year. This was the highest rate of giving among universities with 3,000 employees or more within the University of North Carolina system. The next closest, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, achieved 25 percent participation.

Vice Chancellor Nevin Kessler, who led the campaign, was delighted.

“When we set a goal of $600,000 I thought that was a fairly significant stretch goal for the effort. So to exceed that by almost $50,000 is incredible, a terrific surprise,” he said.

The key this year was that more employees participated and truly embraced the campaign’s spirit, he said. For example, members of academic departments in the Poole College of Management set friendly competitions with one another, even dressing up and performing as the Blues Brothers, to encourage participation.

“Because of this spirit we succeeded,” Kessler said.

Kudos from the Chancellor

At a campaign breakfast attended by university officials, members of the campaign advisory board and  campaign division leaders last Friday, Chancellor Randy Woodson echoed this sentiment and said everyone should be proud.

“Through our gifts we feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, care for defenseless animals, conserve our mountains and provide arts and culture to enrich our lives,” Woodson said.

“Results like ours just don’t happen—it takes passion, determination, heart and soul. Thank you for helping make our university one of the leading in the country in public service.”

Consistent Growth

Woodson added that at every meeting with legislators, alumni and donors he uses the SECC campaign to illustrate employees’ commitment to public service. He also pointed with pride to NC State’s consistent growth in this campaign.

The 2012 results represent a 10 percent increase over last year’s record of $589,500 and a 17 percent increase over four years ago. The amount contributed per employee also broke new ground—$82.66 followed by UNC-Chapel Hill at $77.58 per employee. Over the past five years NC State employees have donated $2.9 million through the SECC.

“No other university or public agency in North Carolina has shown this level of consistent growth in their campaigns,” Woodson said.

At the event Woodson recognized 10 academic and administrative units exceeding a 50 percent participation rate and honored their division leaders with certificates.

The Graduate School achieved a participation rate of 94 percent, University Advancement: 92 percent, the Poole College of Management: 84 percent, the Chancellor’s Unit: 82 percent, NCSU Libraries: 73 percent, Finance and Business: 61 percent, College of Education: 55 percent, Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development: 54 percent, and Athletics and the Office of Information Technology both achieved a participation rate of 51 percent.