FAQs

What is Community Service Association (CSA)?

Mission Statement: The Community Service Association of San Diego Unified School District is a nonprofit association organized to solicit contributions from district employees for recognized charitable agencies in San Diego County which support the arts, education, health, and human services.

CSA was founded in 1956 as a result of meetings among employee organizations that felt the need for a contribution club similar to others in the city. CSA is entirely employee directed and managed by an elected, volunteer board of directors consisting of five teachers, three classified staff members and two administrators. Elections for the Board of Directors are held each year during the membership campaign drive in October/November.

Since 1956, CSA has distributed over $12 million to nonprofit charitable organizations in San Diego County. Employee donations are collected through automatic payroll deductions or one-time contributions.

What have CSA contributions typically funded?

Donations to CSA are distributed with a focus on diversity, equity, and impact on the SDUSD community. Examples include: Providing food and shelter for people experiencing homelessness or loss of income; Providing funding for youth camps, arts performances, and educational programs for children with disabilities or children who may not otherwise have the opportunity.

What organizations does CSA support?

List of Agencies that CSA supports

Why should I give to CSA?

Organizations and programs supported by donations to CSA touch almost every employee, directly or indirectly. Employees can have a greater impact in the community with a donation to CSA because their individual donation is combined with the contributions of hundreds of district employees. Giving through payroll deductions is a very convenient and easy way to make a difference in the local community while it reduces costly and time-consuming fundraising efforts for the agencies that provide community services.

How do I know my contributions make a difference?

The CSA Board of Directors carefully reviews each grant request from local nonprofit agencies along with their most recent tax return.  To continue receiving CSA grant monies, in compliance with IRS regulations a nonprofit must submit to CSA an acknowledgment letter and receipts showing how their CSA grant money was spent.

How do I join CSA?

District employees can join CSA by making a voluntary payroll deduction in the employee self-service option in PeopleSoft, or by filling out a paper payroll deduction form here and sending via district interoffice mail to "CSA, Ed. Center".  In addition, employees can make a one-time contribution by submitting a check made payable to CSA.

What is the minimum donation to join CSA?

Employees may join CSA for as little as $1 a month, or $5, $10, $20, ... or even a percentage of their salary. The minimum monthly donation to designate a specific agency is $5.

Do I need to complete the Payroll Deduction form each school year?

No. Once an employee joins CSA, their monthly donation will continue until they leave the district or cancel their voluntary deduction.  To increase or decrease your monthly donation use the employee self-service option in PeopleSoft HCM or complete a new Payroll Deduction form here and send via district interoffice mail to "CSA, Ed Center".

Can I donate to an agency or agencies of my choice?

Yes. Employees can designate all or part of their monthly contribution to a maximum of 2 nonprofit agencies in San Diego County with a minimum monthly contribution of $5 to each agency.  Please complete the form here and send via district interoffice mail to "CSA, Ed. Center".

Your designation amount and the nonprofit designated cannot be changed during the course of a school year, except to start or to end a designation.

Do I need to complete the Donor Specified Designation Form each school year?

Yes. Designated donations must be confirmed by the donor in writing each year.  The form (click here) will be emailed to all donors in order to prompt you to fill it out and return it.  This is a return to our previous practice, but now with a friendly courtesy reminder!

Are my CSA donations tax deductible?

CSA is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. Subject to IRS restrictions, your donation is tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor.

Additional questions? Please email CSA's Administrative Support Person at [email protected].

Page Updated: 7/28/2022 jfo