Campaign FAQs!
What is the Employee Combined Campaign?
Celebrating our 21st year, this campaign has contributed $5,355,539 to support patients and families in need of various services. From your fellow employees needing assistance during catastrophic events such as house fires and domestic violence situations (HEART Fund) to community families struggling to put food on the table or to heat their homes during winter months (United Way programs), our collective dollars provide support, relief and hope to hundreds each year, in addition to contributing more than $1,000,000 to capital campaigns that helped build and remodel the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, Alfond Center for Health and Thayer Center for Health.
How does it work?
Each year during this time, we ask employees to consider making a contribution — every gift makes a difference! You can make your Combined Campaign contribution in multiple ways. Choose the method — or combination of methods — that works best for you:
Payroll deduction of a certain amount per paycheck (26 total paychecks)*
- Payroll deduction one-time deduction*
- Earned time (after-tax equivalent)**
- Cash donation (paper pledge sheet only)
- Check donation (paper pledge sheet only)
- Credit card (online)
*Deductions begin in January 2022
**Earned Time is deducted each year in January
Why give to MaineGeneral?
We work in health care because we want to make a difference in people's lives. Giving to MaineGeneral supports patients who receive our services, as well as staff in need. As a not-for-profit, we provide millions in charity care each year. We also provide the services our communities need even if they come at an operational cost to us. It’s simply the right thing to do. Support an area of most meaning to you — indicate where you want your dollars to go on your pledge form.
United Way & MaineGeneral — Caring Together
Each year we strive to give back to our area United Ways because we know those who need additional services are often our patients and they’re all part of the Greater Kennebec Valley community. And we care for them.
United Way Gifts: Is there an admin fee?
United Way partner programs receive 100% of your donation. You can donate to non-partner programs through United Way as well; there is an 11% administration fee for doing so. To see a list of Partner Programs, visit the United Way page on the campaign website.
What is changing at United Way of Mid-Maine (UWMM)?
The UWMM Board of Directors is considering several options that would change the structure of the organization, but has not defined those changes at this time. This process may take months.
What will happen to my current payroll deductions to UWMM?
All current 2020-21 deductions have been allocated as designated by you. Be assured that your contribution is being paid to the UWMM for distribution to the local partner programs as you directed.
Why are you taking UWMM by name off the pledge sheets?
As we approached the launch of the 2021/22 Employee Combined Campaign, it became clear that the UMWW structure could change but the timing was unclear. This uncertainty required us to begin a careful internal process. We worked with the United Way to ensure we remain good stewards of MaineGeneral employees’ donations. We have put a plan in place to ensure funds are distributed exactly how you intend.
Why are you making these changes when you do not know what is happening at UWMM?
Given the uncertainty about the structure of the UWMM going forward in 2022, MaineGeneral leadership went through a thoughtful process to ensure:
- We continue to support the communities in the Greater Waterville area; and
- We remain good stewards of donated funds from MaineGeneral employees going to that area
How do I support the UWMM service area during the 2021-22 Campaign?
We have worked with the United Way to make sure you can designate your funds to the Greater Waterville area just as you have in the past. We anticipate a smooth transition and the United Way has been a great partner in preserving the integrity of the process.
We hope you continue to support the communities we serve by making a pledge to “Waterville Area non-profits” and designating your gift to a specific local non-profit or to one of the priority areas of need designated by the United Way.
Who are Pacesetters?
Pacesetters are last - year campaign donors of $250 or more, Leadership Conference and medical staff who are invited to participate early. We look to our Pacesetter group to lay a foundation of support for when the campaign launches system-wide.
SLT Bonus Bucks
Did you know that every year, MaineGeneral’s senior leaders donate thousands of dollars to support MGH and United Way programs and services? Again this year, they’re putting their MGH dollars into a bucket and you decide where they go! Each beneficiary will receive some bonus bucks; how much depends on where MGHers put their support. At the end of the campaign, bonus bucks will be distributed as follows:
- Beneficiary with the most donated dollars = 50%
- Second most = 20%
- Third most = 15%
- Fourth most = 10%
- Fifth most = 5%
What is the raffle?
Every $26 gets you an entry to the raffle (up to 5). Pick what you want to win: ET/VIP Parking.
- You’ve Earn (timed) It! Three lucky winners will win 8 hours of ET through this year’s raffle. One winner will be chosen each Friday during the system-wide campaign.
- VIP Parking. If you are the lucky recipient of one of the VIP parking spaces and you
1) don’t need it, 2) prefer to get your steps in or 3) simply want to gift it to someone else, you are more than welcome to do so. You will need to communicate with the Office of Philanthropy and the Security department to ensure the transfer is documented.
How does the HEART Fund work?
The HEART Fund is open to MGH employees or volunteers. Employees must be employed with MGH for at least one year and work an average of at least 20 hours per week. Volunteers must have given 500+ hours and two years of service. The intent is to assist with a financial crisis related to sudden and unplanned, catastrophic events such as onset of critical illness, personal injury, loss of home or catastrophic loss of property. Checks are made out directly to businesses for debts the applicant has incurred. The United Way of Kennebec Valley serves as the fiscal agent for the HEART Fund. Staff must complete an application and eligibility is determined by a committee of MGH peers. All applicant information is kept confidential.
What is the Wheel of Health?
The Wheel of Health is a trivia game that gives the Employee Combined Campaign Committee the opportunity to get out and engage with staff about the campaign. Staff can win gift cards and prizes while having fun. Check out the campaign calendar to see where the wheel will be during the campaign.
Who are the MGH beneficiaries?
Each year SLT helps determine the beneficiaries based on organizational priorities. Standing beneficiaries are the HEART Fund and Employee Education. This year the other beneficiaries are Long Term Care, Hospice and Support Services.
Am I limited to only donating to the beneficiaries?
No. Staff can choose to donate to the area of the organization that means the most to them. The United Way serves as a fiscal agent for outside non-profits; they only assess a 11% administrative fee for those non-profits that are not part of their partner program. To see a full list of Partner Programs where no fee is assessed, visit the United Way page on the website.
I want to be able to donate to help with food insecurity. What do I do?
Both United Ways partner with local food banks and soup kitchens. MaineGeneral also has several programs that assist patients/clients with food insecurity. Note this is your choice in the note section of your gift.
What is the Virgin Pulse Challenge?
For staff who are participating in Virgin Pulse, the challenge is another way for the Employee Combined Campaign Committee to engage and inform about the campaign. All staff are eligible to participate in Virgin Pulse. If you have questions about how to join, please contact Emily Mullen, Workplace Health, at 621-7578.
How do you choose the incentives?
We heard you loud and clear so this year we sent all staff a survey to help us pick incentives you wanted.
How do you get the prizes for the campaign and what do they cost?
Each year we reach out to vendors and local businesses to provide cash donations and/or prizes for us to give away during the campaign. We do not spend MGH funds on prizes.
How are prize winners chosen?
Each Friday, a list of staff who have made a contribution is printed and put into a prize drawing. The names are chosen at random. The earlier a person contributes, the more chances they have to win. Last year, winners came from across the system: Hathaway, Enterprise Dr., Elmwood, Civic Center Dr. Central ME Crossing, East Chestnut, Green St., ACH, HACCC, FMI, Glenridge, Gray Birch and TCH, representing 52 departments. Winners of ET and VIP Parking are selected from those who complete raffle tickets for these raffle items.
Why can’t every building and department have winners?
MGH is spread out over 29 locations and 277 departments. With limited resources to purchase/request prizes, the fairest way is random drawings from those that choose to participate.
Why can’t everyone receive prizes?
Each year everyone who makes a donation receives a thank-you card and token gift. This year it will be a Believe pen as your feedback showed this was preferred over the silicone bracelets or pins.
I wanted to participate but could not at the same level as the prior year. The online giving form would not allow me to lower my donation or give over less than 26 pay periods.
The online donation form is always evolving. If you do not see the option you want or have trouble adjusting the form, please call the Office of Philanthropy at 626-1809. We are happy to assist and can help most complete their donation in less than a couple minutes.
Why does it take so long to make a donation?
Most can make a donation in less than a minute. If it’s taking longer, please call the Office of Philanthropy at 626-1809 and let us take care of it for you.
What is the difference between an incentive, a prize and a raffle ticket?
An incentive is a token benefit to say thank you for participating in the campaign at different gift levels. Prizes are donated by vendors and anyone who participates in the campaign has their name entered into a random drawing to win. Raffle tickets are given to anyone participating in the campaign with a gift of $26 or more (up to 5 per donation) and the donor chooses which prize raffle they want to enter their tickets in.
What is the “other” fund on the pledge form?
This option can be used when someone wants to split their gift between multiple beneficiaries. It can also be used to support a program that is not one of the current beneficiaries. It must be a MaineGeneral program.
Why can’t I give to other non-profits?
Donations can be made to other non-profits (must be registered 501c3) through either of the United Ways. They become the fiscal agent and charge a 11% administrative fee for this service. Having the United Way assist with this saves many resources that both our payroll and AP departments would have to provide.
I can’t donate because I always run out of time
The campaign giving site stays open until Dec 1. to help ensure plenty of time for those who want to participate when the time is right for them. We encourage you to participate during the campaign so you don’t miss any of the fun or chance to win prizes!