Please see the following links for lists of participating organizations:
> List of Participating Employers
> List of Participating Charities
What are the requirements for joining the Public Interest Fund?
Organizations must:
- provide services in Illinois
- have 501(c)3 tax exempt status
- have been incorporated for at least three years
- be committed to equal employment opportunities and be in compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act
- demonstrate fiscal soundness
- must not prohibit its employees from collective bargaining
- must not be a member of any other federation or fund whose sole purpose is fundraising
What employers offer the Public Interest Fund of Illinois?
A wide range of employers throughout Illinois offer the Public Interest Fund of Illinois as a payroll deduction option for their employees. In addition to all federal and state employees, many universities and local governments and an increasing number of private corporations offer their employees the opportunity to contribute to the Public Interest Fund of Illinois and its member organizations. For a complete listing see employers on this homepage.
What commitments are asked of participating organizations?
The Public Interest Fund of Illinois has established two levels of membership which have different levels of participation and benefits: Full members are asked to make three basic commitments.
- Each new member organizations is asked to pay an initiation fee ($1000 for local groups; $1500 for statewide organizations) and annual membership dues ranging from $250 to $500 depending on the size of an organizations budget.
- Full Members shall designate one representative to the Fund's Board and must abide by the policies and rules established by the Fund Board.
- Full Members share in any contributions not designated to a specific member. These funds are divided on a sweat equity formula developed by the Fund Board.
Associate members are asked to make less of a financial and time commitment, but do not have representation on the Fund Board and do not share in undesignated contributions. Associate members pay a lower initiation fee ($250 for local groups; $375 for statewide organizations) and annual membership dues. Associate members are not required to provide a specific number of volunteer hours, but are expected to make a two year commitment and participate in payroll deduction campaign activities.
How are donations allocated among participating organizations?
Committed to the concept of "donor directed" contributions, all designated contributions will be given to the organization selected by the donor minus a 15% administrative fee. All contributions that are not designated to a specific member are divided among full member organizations on a sweat equity formula.