Can't find the answer? Contact the Donor Services Team by email: Help@charities.org or visit www.charities.org/support. 

Note: The Donor Services Team is available Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm (Eastern).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is America's Charities?
   America’s Charities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that manages workplace giving campaigns for public and private sector employers. Snohomish County has contracted with America’s Charities to serve as Snohomish County’s administrator and technology provider of the Simply Giving online workplace giving platform.
   
   
2. What are the dates of the giving campaign?
   Employees can participate in the program from November 17 - December 15, 2023.
   
   
3. Am I eligible to participate in the workplace giving platform managed by America’s Charities?
   Yes, all Snohomish County employees are eligible to participate in our workplace giving campaign.
   
   
4. How do I sign up to give through the new site?
   Starting November 17, 2023, you will be encouraged to visit the Simply Giving platform and learn about the workplace giving options available to you. Our IT team has worked with America’s Charities to enable single sign-on so County employees are able to use their county credentials to access the Simply Giving platform.
   
   
5. Which charities can I choose from in the new system?
   Through the Simply Giving platform you can donate to any 501(c)(3) charity organization. The Simply Giving platform includes a list of more than 800 charitable organizations for you to choose from. If you cannot find the specific charity you are seeking, you will have the option to pledge a donation and write in the charity of your choice. America’s Charities will verify the tax-exempt status of the organization and process your donation once the eligibility of your charity of choice is confirmed.
   
   
6. Is there a cost to use America's Charities’ Simply Giving workplace giving platform?
   There is no cost for Snohomish County employees to access the Simply Giving platform.  Once a gift is made through the platform, a small administrative management fee –12.9%– will be deducted from donations. This cost will be paid to America’s Charities to cover the costs of their administrative responsibilities and campaign management services. As America’s Charities is a nonprofit organization, 100% of the donation including the administrative fee is tax deductible.
   
   The management fee is used to help offset, support, maintain, and ensure the security of America’s Charities Simply Giving platform, which allows employees to easily and conveniently donate to any charity of their choice, as opposed to limited choice in where to give. America’s Charities also provides a number of donor resources including a Donor Services Help Desk available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern) that assists employees with payroll deduction questions and charity research. Additional services provided by the America’s Charities include: write-in charity research, processing checks for payments made directly to Americas Charities, donation reports to the recipient charities, and distribution of funds to charities.

7. I already give through charitable payroll deductions. How does this campaign impact my current elections?
   The Simply Giving platform replaces the contribution management we had through our previous vendor, United Way. 
   
   Your current contribution election, made through the Simply Giving platform of our giving campaign from last year, will be discontinued on December 31, 2023. The pledges you make online through the Simply Giving platform from November 17-December 15, 2023, to the Be the Change Charitable Campaign will be deducted from your paycheck beginning January 2024 and will continue through the end of 2024.
   
   America’s Charities’ processing fee will be deducted from your donation and your donation will be directed to your charity(ies) of choice.
   
   
8. Can I make changes to my pledge?
   During the Be the Change Charitable Campaign open enrollment period from November 17 –December 15, 2023, you can edit your pledge made through the America’s Charities Simply Giving platform or make additional donations to the charity(ies) of your choice.
   
   
9. Can I donate by credit card?
   Donating by credit card is an option in the system.
   
   
10. Can I donate by check online?
    Yes, you can make a check donation using the new Simply Giving system. If paying by check, please make your check payable to: "America’s Charities, Fiscal Agent” and retain a copy of your check and confirmation email for your personal records.
    
    After you submit your check donation online, you will receive a confirmation email summarizing your pledge. Print a copy of that email and return it along with your check.
    
    Donations made by check are tax-deductible in 2023 if received by America's Charities postmarked on or before December 15, 2023.
    
    Mail checks to:
    America’s Charities
    ATTN: Charitable Funds Management/ Snohomish County
    14200 Park Meadow Drive, Suite 330S
    Chantilly, VA 20151
    
    Please make your check payable to “America’s Charities - Fiscal Agent” and enter “Snohomish County ” on the memo line.
    
    
11. When will my donation be delivered to the nonprofit organization(s) I choose?
    America’s Charities will bundle your donation with other Snohomish County employees who chose the same charity and issue a single check to that charity on a quarterly basis.
    
    
12. Will my donation be tax-deductible? 
    Yes, in accordance with IRS rules and regulations. We recommend that you consult with a tax advisor for more information.
    
    You may also Log into the pledge site anytime throughout the year to view and print a copy of your pledge history. Simply log in, click “Give” from the navigation menu, and select “My Giving History.” A summary of your pledge history will display and you can print a copy for your tax records.
    
    
13. Will my donations be pre-tax or after-tax deductions?
    The donations are after-tax deductions. By giving through recurring or one-time payroll deduction, your donation is automatically deducted from your paycheck, there are no extra fees, and because your payroll donations come out of your after-tax earnings, your donations are tax-deductible.
    
    We recommend that you consult with a tax advisor for more information.
    
    
14. What if I choose not to participate in employee giving? Do I have to take any action?
    No, participation in the employee giving program is entirely voluntary and confidential.