To: Board of Supervisors
From: Monica Nino, County Administrator
Report Title: 2026 Combined Charities Campaign
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Administrator’s Office to execute an agreement with Creating Healthier Communities to provide an online workplace-giving platform and to provide administrative support in conducting the 2026 Combined Charities Campaign with the active charitable-giving campaign occurring from October 7, 2026 through October 31, 2026, and employee pledging concluding no later than December 31, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact on the County. This is a voluntary charitable-giving program, and administrative fees are taken directly from individual contributions.
BACKGROUND:
The Combined Charities Campaign is an annual drive to promote charitable giving among County employees. This is a voluntary charitable-giving campaign where employees can choose to donate to a charity through one-time donations or recurring payroll deductions.
For at least the past five years, Contra Costa County has partnered with Creating Healthier Communities (CHC) to administer the annual drive. CHC customizes and operates a charitable-giving platform, provides reports and acknowledgments, supports communications about the campaign, and facilitates donation processing and distribution. Participating non-profits include EarthShare, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, United Way Bay Area, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, among many more.
This year’s Combined Charities Campaign will run for approximately one month, from October 7, 2026, through October 31, 2026, with authorized post-campaign payroll-deduction, remittance, distribution, reconciliation, and reporting activities continuing until those activities are completed. Consistent with prior years, the County’s fundraising goal will be $100,000. The designated county chair will work with department coordinators to promote the campaign across the County. This year’s theme is Stronger Together, to encourage unity within the County.
This request seeks Board approval for Contra Costa County to contract with CHC for the 2026 Combined Charities Campaign. The County Administrator’s Office will evaluate the administrative fees and process upon conclusion of the campaign and will refer to the procurement process to explore alternative vendor options for future years.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the proposed action is not approved, the County will not enter into the letter agreement with CHC, and the 2026 Combined Charities Campaign will not proceed through CHC as proposed.