The fall season signals many beginnings, one of them being the annual Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign, the employee charity-fundraising drive. Held in state agencies across Virginia, this year’s – the 18^th edition – kicks off Monday.

With about 1,000 charities and nonprofit organizations to choose from, the campaign provides an easy way to make a difference to the community and support causes that match employee interests. One hundred percent of employees’ contributions go directly to the charities, which include those whose work focuses on health and human services, animal welfare, historical preservation, environmental conservation, medical research and more. 

University of Virginia employees and volunteers across Grounds are essential to the campaign’s success. UVA has been the state’s leading participant in the CVC for 16 years, with contributions totaling more than $13 million. During last year’s drive, University employees contributed more than $998,000 – more than 25 percent of the entire commonwealth’s contributions.

“Through the CVC, we come together in support of the causes that matter most to us,” Sullivan wrote in a letter of support. “I encourage employees to join me and thousands of others across Grounds in the CVC at UVA. Collectively, we can have a significant impact in our area and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.” Although offices and units typically hand out pledge cards in familiar red envelopes, many are going paperless this year and encouraging donations to be made online. Salaried employees may choose to give through payroll deduction beginning with the first paycheck in January. Pledges must be made by Dec. 16 to ensure processing for the 2016 tax year.