Q.How does Environmental Fund for Arizona (EFA) differ from other workplace giving programs?
Q. If we don't already have a workplace campaign, how can we start one?
Q. We already have an employee giving campaign in place. Won’t adding an EFA campaign take funds away from our current efforts?
Q. Our employees already contribute to United Way. So why should we consider EFA?
Q. If we decide to include EFA, will we have to set up a whole new campaign?
Q. How much extra work is involved if we include EFA in our campaign?
Q. Our company encourages employees to give on their own, so do we really need an EFA campaign?
Q. How does EFA fit into our guidelines restricting campaigns to "health and human services"?
Q. Why not utilize the "Donor Choice" approach provided by a single federation to allow employees to give to any agency?
Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing our overall campaign management to one federation?
Q. Does EFA charge an administrative fee for processing its donations?
Q. Can I give a general gift to EFA?
Q. Can I hold a fundraiser for EFA outside of workplace giving?

Q.How does Environmental Fund for Arizona (EFAZ) differ from other workplace giving programs?

We are the only federation of environmental and conservation groups in workplace campaigns in Arizona. Our 29 member organizations represent a wide variety of critical issues that affect Arizona citizens.

Q. If we don't already have a workplace campaign, how can we start one?

The process is simple. If you have the mechanism for deducting taxes, payroll savings, or retirement, you have the ability to add a payroll giving option. EFAZ will work with you to determine the best way to introduce the campaign to your employees. Our campaigns are straightforward and professional. Distribution of contributions to individual agencies is the responsibility of EFAZ. You simply send cumulative deduction checks to us for disbursement.

Q. We already have an employee giving campaign in place. Won’t adding an EFAZ campaign take funds away from our current efforts?

Actually, it’s the exact opposite – expanding employee giving choices has proven to increase employee participation and donations across the board. We’ve seen that when employees are given more choice and control over where and how they donate, they are more inclined to give. We have case studies available with this information.

Q. Our employees already contribute to United Way. So why should we consider EFAZ?

While United Way funds a wide array of vital social service agencies, they do not fund environmental or conservation organizations. Because a healthy environment is a critical part of quality of life, offering employees an expanded choice through EFAZ is a great way to add a 'green' component to your employee giving efforts, while maintaining your relationship with United Way.

Q. If we decide to include EFAZ, will we have to set up a whole new campaign?

No. EFAZ successfully participates with many other groups in side-by-side campaigns. We can provide our own pledge cards or modify existing cards to make the process simpler. Employees appreciate being given more choice!

Q. How much extra work is involved if we include EFAZ in our campaign?

EFAZ will meet with you and/or your payroll department to discuss how we can enhance your existing campaign without increasing your workload or costs. We’re here to help with every aspect of your campaign – from campaign materials to training the employees who will manage the process. It is our goal to make your EFAZ campaign as easy and hassle-free as possible.

Q. Our company encourages employees to give on their own, so do we really need an EFAZ campaign?

Offering a payroll deduction option is a convenient way for your employees to make charitable contributions, and It truly is the most effective and efficient way to raise needed not-for-profit dollars. Moreover, a campaign encourages more engagement and education about the partner charities in a more personal and impactful way.

Q. How does EFAZ fit into our guidelines restricting campaigns to "health and human services"?

EFAZ has been accepted into many campaigns where this guideline is used, in both the public and private sector. Human health is dependent upon environmental health. Our agencies protect health and human welfare in the most fundamental way. Clean air and water are vital for every day life. Quality of life is also enhanced through the protection of open space areas and the conservation of species diversity.

Q. Why not utilize the "Donor Choice" approach provided by the United Way to allow employees to give to any agency?

There are several restrictions when using the Donor Choice option. First, many United Ways impose a minimum donation level for non-United Way charities written in. Many charge at least $25 and one United Way in Arizona charges $100.

Second, unless the company/city/county specifically states that other non-United Way charities can be written in by employees, most United Ways will reject the donor's gift if it doesn't meet their parameters of health and human service charities.

Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing our overall campaign management to one federation, like the United Way?

The advantages are typically described in terms of savings to your company in terms of additional staff duties and donation processing time.

However, if the company/city/county wishes to include other non-United Way charities or federations in the campaign, there are major disadvantages, and many campaign coordinators don't understand the full implications to other charities.

First, since the United Way charges an administrative fee for every donation they process, to avoid a 'double hit' of admin fees, they will bypass other similar federations, like EFAZ, and send the donations directly to the designated charities. This is understandable except for the fact that like United Way, EFAZ and other federations receive much-needed operating income from admin fees. By the United Way imposing this policy as administrator, all other federations are at a great disadvantage.

Even in the State campaign where by law the United Way cannot bypass other federations, they are adding a nearly 9.5% 'pledge loss' fee on top of their regular 10% admin fee on donations before EFAZ even receives them. That's nearly 20% that the United Way keeps from EFAZ donations in the State campaign.

Moreover, visibility and equal representation of the variety of choices included in the campaign are often lost in the shadow of a managing federation. Too often the campaign comes to look like a single federation promoting its members, with a footnote about added choices.

Overall, by serving as campaign administrator, the United Way benefits both economically and promotionally by setting policies that put other charities at a disadvantage and by driving most of the visibility in terms of pledge cards and presentations.

Conversely, the campaigns where these are not issues are where the United Way does not serve as the donation processor - campaigns such as American Express, Chase, and the City of Chandler.

Q. Does EFAZ charge an administrative fee for processing its donations?

Yes. We charge 12% in public (govt.) campaigns and 10% in private (company, etc.) campaigns for an average of 11%. Most federations, including United Way, charge between 10-20%.

Q. Can I give a general gift to EFAZ?

Yes. A general gift to EFAZ will be divided equally among our 29 member organizations so everyone benefits.

Q. Can I hold a fundraiser for EFAZ outside of workplace giving?

Absolutely! We value connecting with communities in fun and creative ways. Please contact Laine Seaton at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.