A season of helping

The 2011 campaign for Harvard Community Gifts is under way, with a blend of Harvard traditions and new opportunities. The campaign — a workplace giving program that dates back to World War II, lets Harvard faculty and staff donate to nonprofit and charitable organizations by payroll deduction and check.

This year, using a new secure website, employees also can make donations by credit or debit card, a convenience many have requested.

“The charities and the people they serve benefit from the enormous generosity of our faculty and staff,” said Katie Lapp, Harvard’s executive vice president and co-chair of the 2011 campaign, along with Provost Alan M. Garber. “By joining together with others, we multiply the effect we have on our neighbors and communities.”

The 2011 campaign runs through Dec. 9. Employees may donate to up to five charities with one gift. American Express, Discover, Visa, and MasterCard are all accepted. Donations can be made to any 501(c) charity; hundreds of organizations that Harvard employees have supported in the past are already in the website’s database, but employees may also add eligible charitable organizations. Donations are tax-deductible. You can learn more at the Harvard Community Gifts website.

Kicking off the annual program, the second annual Harvard Giving Fair was held at the Queen’s Head Pub in Memorial Hall Nov. 17. Hundreds of staff and faculty members dropped by, where they could speak with representatives from more than 25 local organizations, while also mingling and enjoying appetizers and a cash bar.

Lapp and other Harvard leaders were guest bartenders at the event, and all tips were donated to the campaign, which last year raised $500,000.

“It’s not just the charities that we support that benefit. We also benefit here at Harvard in terms of strengthening our community and building a caring workplace culture,” said Lapp.