California’s Our Promise Announces Leadership, Launch Date

Sacramento (September 2022) – Our Promise: California Employees Giving at Work announced today its selection of two co-chairs and a vice chair for its annual fundraising campaign, set to launch on October 1, 2022.

This year’s co-chairs for the campaign are Josh Fryday, Chief Service Officer, California Volunteers, Office of the Governor and Amy Tong, Secretary, Government Operations Agency. The vice chair is Lourdes M. Castro Ramírez, Secretary, Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.

Our Promise provides a single charitable fundraising driver in the California state employee system, raising $5 million annually for nonprofits. Now entering its 65th year, a kickoff event will be held at the steps of the California Capitol on October 4, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. The campaign will run until the end of December.

“The nonprofits that Our Promise support are there for the community and families in need day-in and day-out. When crises occur, like the pandemic, they take on even more, providing shelter, food, counseling services and resources to help people stay housed,” notes Secretary Castro Ramírez. “I encourage every state employee to participate and support the causes or organizations they are most passionate about.”

Annually, the Our Promise campaign runs for three months, during which time State agencies and departments work to ensure that every State employee is given an informed and educated opportunity to donate to any 501(c)(3) of their choice. Employees can give as little as $5 per payroll cycle, taken directly from their wages. The California Department of General Services contracts with United Way California Capital Region to lead and run the Our Promise campaign. United Way utilizes a network of 29 geographic campaigns in California, each region is managed by a Principal Combined Fund Drive (PCFD).

“Too many Californians are struggling to meet basic needs,” notes Fryday.  “Amid uncertain economic times, our neighbors need our support now more than ever.”

New donations can be given anytime in the calendar year, but the three-month campaign aims to bring awareness to the program and the causes it supports. Popular organizations receiving funds in the past, include:

  • California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation
  • United Way California Capital Region
  • Sacramento Loaves & Fishes
  • SPCA Sacramento
  • Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

“As someone who helps lead state government operations, I’m proud that so many state employees commit to giving to a wide variety of charities,” says Secretary Tong. “This year, I hope that number rises even more.”

Tabitha Angel, Senior Director of Our Promise, notes that this year’s campaign is especially important given how inflation continues to rise and increasing costs are hitting families and communities especially hard.

“With more than 25,000 donors in 2021, we were able to secure $5 million in donations,” says Angel. “State employees know and understand the power of giving – we’re excited for the 2022 campaign.”

More information including registration can be found by clicking here.