San Rafael, CA – It’s the Giving Season, but County of Marin employees have proven again that giving is a yearlong endeavor. The County workforce demonstrated its community spirit by committing to the Marin County Employees Charitable Giving Campaign, known internally as the Heart of Marin. More than $108,000 was committed in charitable donations via payroll deductions and one-time donations this holiday season, and that money will be dispersed to nonprofit agencies steadily throughout the coming year.
“I am thrilled that we surpassed our goal of $100,000,” said Liza Massey, the County’s Chief Information Officer and the Heart of Marin countywide campaign coordinator. “The past two years have been hard on everyone, especially nonprofits and charities. Many have closed and others are close to it. County employees’ generosity will help prevent that from happening and benefit critical programs both locally and globally.”
The $108,000 figure was an increase from the $98,000 raised by the workforce last year. Total donations rose 10% and payroll deductions were boosted by 7% during the November campaign. Last holiday season, County employees surpassed the $1 million mark in total charitable contributions since starting the coordinated effort in 2007.
The campaign allows the workforce to make biweekly paycheck deductions or one-time donations to nonprofit federations that assist a variety of charities. Employees can also pick charities of their choice. With employees giving at the office in a combined campaign, nonprofits save the time, effort, and expense of seeking out and processing individual donations. Payroll deductions create a reliable way for the nonprofits to predict contributions and plan for consistent revenue streams.
Among the County’s 22 departments, the Department of Health and Human Services raised the most funds, followed by Information Services and Technology and Public Works. The Public Defender’s Office and County Counsel had the highest percentage of employee participation.