FAQs

What is the UB Employees Campaign for the Community?

The annual employees campaign is an easy opportunity for all employees at UB to make donations to charitable community organizations of their choosing. The campaign takes place each fall and is a State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) campaign. It began in 1976 at UB and over the past 45 years, UB employees have donated more than $18 million. 

When does the campaign take place?

The UB Employees Campaign for the Community typically kicks off near the end of September each year. Employees are asked to make their donations before the end of the calendar year.

How do I make a donation?

You can make a donation either online or with a paper pledge form. See the donate page for more information on making a gift.

Who can I contact if I have trouble logging in to make a donation?

For assistance in making your gift online or questions about your contribution, please contact the United Way here.

Who benefits from my contribution?

Individuals and famlies from across our community seeking a variety of health and human services are helped through the campaign. Beneficiary organizations represent hundreds of agencies and programs serving a diverse population throughout the WNY region and beyond.

What percentage of my donation goes to the programs?

While this varies slightly throughout the different SEFA regions, a minimum of 88 cents of each dollar you contribute goes to fund services. SEFA prides itself in keeping administrative costs to a minimum through the use of state employee volunteers and careful budgeting.

Can I designate my contribution to a specific organization?

Absolutely! We encourage you to make a contribution to a particular organization that has made a meaningful impact on your life, or that you wish to directly support. You may have your gift sent to one, two, three or more specific organizations--the choice is yours.

Can I designate a contribution to agencies not listed in the directory?

You can not make a contribution to agencies not listed in the directory through the payroll deduction option, but you may be able to make a one-time donation. Please contact April Lucey (716-480-0944) at the United Way for assistance with this. 

How will my gift be used if I choose not to designate to an agency?

For state employees, undesignated gifts are distributed proportionally to all agencies that receive designated gifts from all contributions in the New York State SEFA campaign.

Example: if agency X received five percent of the designated gifts from all state SEFA contributions, they will also receive five percent of “undesignated” dollars accumulated. Agencies who receive no designations are not eligible.

Please note:  Undesignated dollars do not go to the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County.  SEFA regulations do not stipulate an automatic transfer of undesignated dollars to any specific agency. If you would like your contribution to go to the United Way of Buffalo & Erie, you must use the SEFA code - 57-00172 or the “write-in” option specifying the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County.

Why should I give to this campaign instead of directly to a service provider?

The UB Employees Campaign is the most efficient way to give. Your contribution helps fund a multitude of programs and services. With this campaign, you don't have to write multiple checks to multiple organizations throughout the year. You don't have to remember when to give or to whom. The advantage of payroll deduction makes giving easy and secure.

What is my User ID and password to log in and make a donation?

Your User ID is your UBIT email address. Each year the e-plege system requires you to reset your password by clicking the "Forgot User ID or Password" button and following the prompts. A link will be emailed to your UB email to create a new password of your choosing. 

If an employee makes a gift via check, where do they send it?

All checks can be made out to SEFA and should be mailed with a copy of the electronic pledge form to:

Employees Campaign for the Community

UB Foundation

Center for Tomorrow

North Campus

If I made a gift on a paper form, where do I send it?

All paper pledge forms can be mailed to: 

Employees Campaign for the Community

UB Foundation

Center for Tomorrow

North Campus