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Your CFC Questions Answered!

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The deadline for the Combined Federal Campaign is December 15, but many of you may still have questions. Luckily, we have the answers!

Who can donate through the CFC?

If you are a federal employee, government contractor, postal worker, service member or are retired from federal/postal or military service, you can donate!

How much or frequently can I donate?

You can give either as a one-time thing or through regular donations. Either way is completely fine!

How do I give?

You can donate either online or through a paper pledge form. Online donations can be made through payroll deductions, credit or debit card or an eCheck. Payroll deduction, cash or check is accepted when using a paper pledge form.

Your unit should have a CFC representative who can guide you through the process. If you need more help, contact support@cfcnca.org.

Are payroll deductions pre-tax?

You cannot make charitable contributions through payroll deductions pre-tax, per federal laws. However, you can claim these donations on your taxes.

Is there a minimum pledge amount?

For payroll deductions, you must give at least $1 per payroll period.

What if I want to cancel my donation?

Canceling a payroll deduction or recurring credit/debit card donation is the only change allowed outside of the pledge period. To cancel a payroll deduction, contact your payroll department and request that the allotment be stopped. To cancel a recurring credit card statement, call your credit or debit card company. You can get more information from support@cfcnca.org.

Can I give to more than one charity?

Yes! You can give to one specific charity, to specially chosen charities you select, to a group of charities or give to undesignated funds. You can search through the eligible charities at cfcnca.org. When giving to more than one charity, you can specify how much of your funds will be given to each charity. Undesignated funds will be equally allotted among all charities and federations.

Your CFC Questions Answered!

CFC is the largest and most successful yearly workplace charity program in the world.

I donated to the CFC last year. Do I need to make a new pledge?

Yes, donations are only good for one year. For each year that you wish to donate through the CFC, you will need to complete a new pledge form, either online or on paper.

What if I want to donate to a charity in a neighboring charity region?

Unfortunately, this is not allowed. You can only donate to national charities or local charities within your workplace CFC zone.

How do I get a copy of my contribution statement for taxes?

If you donated through a payroll deduction, you won’t receive a charitable contribution statement. Instead, you will need to compare your payroll deductions to the charities on your pledge form.

To find this, keep a copy of your pledge form. Then on your last leave and earning statement (LES) of the year, locate the deductions. Make sure the totals match, and bring both forms to your tax service or use them when you do your taxes.

For one-time donations on a debit or credit card, please keep the original receipt that was emailed to you. For recurring credit or debit donations, please save the original emailed receipt and your monthly credit/debit card statements.

If you donated through cash or check, please email finance@cfcnca.org to request a tax receipt.

Bring all of these documents with you when you do your taxes or have them handy at home, if you do your own taxes.

Why should I care about the CFC?

Over the last 55 years, more than $8 billion has been contributed to local and national charities. It is the largest and most successful yearly workplace charity program in the world. The donations made by federal, military and postal employees (and retirees) help support health and human services charities across America and around the world.

When does the contribution period end?

The deadline is rapidly approaching!

To pledge to a charity through the CFC this year, you must make your pledge by December 15.

Your workplace should have a local representative or point of contact who can guide you in making your donation. If you need more help, contact support@cfcnca.org.

What questions do you have about the CFC?

Why the CFC Matters

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For service members and federal employees, the Combined Federal Campaign is everywhere right now. But why does it really matter?

Why the CFC Matters

First, a little history about the CFC.

The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) has been around, in different forms, since 1956. President Dwight Eisenhower created a system to allow federal employees and military personnel to give to charity, without endless requests at work. Presidents through the years have refined and changed the system into what it is today.

Today, the CFC is a once yearly period of time when troops and government workers can donate to charities. This helps to stop year-round charitable donation requests from colleagues or groups. And it allows federal workers to show their support for their favorite causes through their job. On the job giving or donations requests usually isn’t allowed. It can be seen as an “endorsement” by the government.

What is the CFC?

The CFC is a system that helps service members to donate to their favorite charities quickly and easily. It also helps them to track their giving for pay purposes.

First, charities apply to be included in the program. A group that has 501(c)(3) status may apply to be included in either a local or national campaign. For either category, the charity must show their impact and programs.

Then, between September 1 and December 15, 2016 federal employees and service members can give to the group(s) of their choice.

Charities are either local, national or part of a federation. You can give to groups in one or all categories. A local charity works in a designated zone close to your workplace or base. A national charity reaches communities around the country. Charities in a federation are all similar types of groups. For example, a group of charities working in education or health care.

Why the CFC Matters

From left: Master Sgt. Elizabeth Ramos, 412th Force Support Squadron, watches as Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Todd Simmons, 412th TW command chief, fill out their Combined Federal Campaign donation forms at wing headquarters Oct. 24. Ramos and 1st Lt. Christophe Bangerezako, 412th Medical Support Squadron, are this year’s points of contact. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ethan Wagner)

Not sure where you want your donation to go? You can donate undesignated funds. These will be split evenly between all the charities.

Giving is simple too!

During the CFC period, employees can donate in 3 different ways.

The easiest way is through a payroll deduction. You can give as little as $1 per paycheck over the course of the CFC giving year. Or you can donate as much as you want! The money comes out automatically every pay period and can be divided between different groups.

Another option is to give a one-time cash, check or credit card donation. For specifics about how to donate this way, check with your unit or base representative.

The last way to give is through a recurring credit, debit or ACH donation. Again, check with your unit or base rep for more details.

It’s also easy to track your giving. For payroll deductions, match the deductions taken to the charities on your year-end LES. For credit or debit card donations, make sure that you keep your receipts! If you made a cash donation, you should contact the Finance Department.

Changes are coming to the CFC in 2017.

Retirees will be able to donate through the CFC starting in September 2017. They will be able to give through monthly deductions from their annuity.

Also starting next year, federal employees will be able to volunteer their time and donate. You will be able to give time to selected groups. That time will be monetized and added to the CFC totals.

By opening up these 2 ways to give back, more service members and military retirees will be able to have an impact.

Even those on a tight budget will be able to help others, through the gift of time.

Another change is the GiveBack.org has partnered with the CFC and OPM to modernize the donation system. GiveBack is a charity that helps large groups of people work together for charity. This group will also likely help to integrate the volunteer and retiree donation options into the current CFC system.

The 2016 Combined Federal Campaign is currently underway. Click here to find out more information about donating to the CFC today.

Consider Supporting These Veterans Organizations with the CFC

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The Combined Federal Campaign, CFC, is in full swing. You can show some love by donating to support your favorite charities through the program. The CFC is the world’s largest workplace giving campaign providing federal employees the opportunity to make donations to charities locally, nationally and internationally.

What is the CFC and why is it needed?

Charitable donation requests in the workplace were unregulated prior to 1961. Some offices pressured employees into making donations while others did not allow it at all. That changed when President John Kennedy officially mandated the U.S. Civil Service Commission create and regulate fundraising in the federal service sector. Formal authority was then given to allow fundraising at federal offices.

Over the years, the program has evolved. The CFC is now the world’s largest annual workplace charity campaign with more than 200 CFC campaigns each year. The giving season runs from September 1 to December 15. Last year alone, federal employees donated more than $177 million to charities through the CFC.

The CFC is open to all federal employees, which includes military service members. Individuals can choose the charity or multiple nonprofit organizations to make tax deductible donations to.

There are over 18,000 charitable organizations on the CFC’s approved list. These include local charities, national nonprofits and international organizations.

You choose the amount you would like to donate and when you would like to have it deducted from payroll or if you want to make a one-time donation.

The goal of the CFC is to provide monetary support to non-profit organizations that support health and human services. The program is designed to help federal employees find efficient ways to make a difference.

Why should you give through the CFC?

If you plan on making a donation to a charitable organization during the year, using the CFC can make it quick and easy. They can spread your donation out over time so that your charity has a steady income throughout the year.

Unfortunately, dishonest people create elaborate scams to get your money. The CFC checks each nonprofit that applies to be on their approved list of charitable donations for authenticity. You can also do your own research through Charity Navigator. They evaluate charities sighting the actual money that is used for their purpose vs how much is spent on other things so that you can make an informed decision on which to donate to.

Who should you give to?

It is up to you and your family to decide which group to donate to. Military families tend to give to nonprofit military-related causes.

More than $2.5 billion annually is donated to the over 40,000 American charities with military-related missions.

Most of these organizations do wonderful work, but some are not very transparent, are not financially stable, are not accountable and do not help service members and veterans as much as they claim. Do your research to make sure your money is well spent.

Here are 6 military related charities you can trust to use donations appropriately.

Consider Supporting These Veterans Organizations with the CFC

It is up to you and your family to decide which group to donate to. Military families tend to give to nonprofit military-related causes.

The American Red Cross: Their goal is to respond to emergencies nationally and internationally. 90.1% of their donations go directly to the program. This includes providing food and shelter to people affected by disasters, collecting blood through blood drives, supporting troops and their families and training people in first aid.

Fisher House Foundation: 91.7% of their profits go directly to providing comfort homes to military and veterans’ families, at no cost to them, when they need to be close to a treatment facility for a family member. Amazingly, there is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center in America.

DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust: 95.8% of their donations go directly to their program to help physically and psychologically injured veterans. They provide food, shelter and necessities to homeless and at-risk veterans. They also provide accessibility and mobility items to veterans with vision or hearing impairments.

Southeastern Guide Dogs: They received a 97.34 rating, out of 100, on Charity Navigator. One of their programs is Paws for Patriots. This provides veterans with visual impairments guide dogs, veteran assistance dogs to veterans with PTSD, and facility therapy dogs to major military medical centers.

Hope For The Warriors®: Receiving a 94.18 rating, this group offers comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans, and military families that help them with transition, health and wellness, peer engagement, and connections to community resources.

Our Military Kids: 94.1% of funds go directly to provide support through grants to the children of National Guard and Military Reserve personnel who are deployed, as well as to children of injured service members in all branches. Funds can go toward extracurricular activities, tutoring, and to programs that help nurture children while a parent is deployed or recovering from injury.

Which veterans’ organizations do you donate to through the CFC?

13 Corporations that Give Back to Our Military

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Charity is a wonderful thing. For those that give back, it offers a sense of involvement. For those that receive, it offers a sense of comfort.

You can ultimately choose who and what you donate to as well. If you find yourself with a few extra bucks or time to spend, it’s common for a lot of people to give back to a cause that is near and dear to them.

I am a strong advocate for helping the military community. I volunteer with local organizations that help families in and around my current duty station. I also do what I can for those that need it outside my area.

As a result, I usually patronize companies and brands that give back to our military and veteran community. There are so many different ones out there that it’s difficult to pinpoint them all!

Here are 13 brands and corporations that stand out to me:

Corporations and Brands that Give Back to Our Military and Veteran Community

Here are a few brands and corporations that give back to service members, military spouses and veterans.

Food, Beverage and Household Goods

  • Frito Lay
  • Purina
  • Kimberly Clark
  • Nestle Waters

In celebration of the grand opening of a new commissary in Jacksonville, Fla., these companies have joined forces to give back to the military community by planning to give away more than 300 prizes. If you’re in the Jacksonville area, be sure to stop by the grand opening scheduled for the last week in July!

When you purchase the military match set from Community Coffee Company they give back that same product to service members that are serving overseas. It’s called their Military Match Program and so far, they have donated 4.2 million cups of coffee.

Did you know that Coca-Cola was a founding partner with the USO? This year, the USO celebrates 75 years of unwavering commitment to the military community. I am continually amazed at the ongoing efforts and support via the USO and it’s great to know that a company as big as Coca-Cola gives back to the military community.

Retail

I discovered Macy’s corporate giving campaign for military veterans while shopping at a local store a couple years back. It was a great surprise to know of their partnership with Got Your 6, an organization that is aimed to empower veterans. Mark your calendars because from May 13-15 when you donate $3 while shopping in-store, you’ll receive 25% off your total purchase.

The company gives back to an amazing organization that helps expecting military mothers called Operation Shower. Since 2012, Babies “R” Us has donated must-have items for expecting mothers from all branches stationed around the country.

Brands

10% of all Sword & Plough sales go back to military service organizations. Sword & Plough is a veteran-owned company that has the mission to bring awareness to veteran employment and bridge the military-civilian divide.

According to their website, this apparel company “exists to support” the Oscar Mike Foundation. Every purchase gives back to the veteran community, particularly those that have been injured during military service.

Starbucks gives back to the military and veteran communities in more ways than one, but their commitment to employ veterans and military spouses is beyond amazing. I’m happy to say it’s becoming a trend in the corporate world and you could check out more companies in the line with Starbucks’ commitment to hiring veterans and military spouses by checking out the Hiring Our Heroes website.

They have donated $11 million to military charities since 1987, including the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Fisher House, USO and many more! When I was reading their long history of military support, it’s actually fascinating what support was like in the 1940s. I encourage you to read more about it here.

Institutions

CSU has a “Hero Behind the Hero Scholarship” that gives back to the military spouses and children of active duty service members.

There are so many other companies out there that give back to military-affiliated organizations. Next time you’re shopping, take a closer eye on the store walls or packaging.

Are you more likely to buy a product from a business that gives back to a military or veteran organization? Why or why not?

25 Reasons to Give Back This Holiday Season

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When my sister-in-law asks for my kids’ Christmas wish lists, I sigh. I look around our living room and I see piles of toys that were once loved, but have since been forgotten. The kids don’t want to pick up their toys and put them away. And they are always whining for the newest and greatest toy that the neighbor has and they want. Desperately.

My sisters and I love to buy each other gifts. But around the holidays, there’s a mad dash to find a thoughtful, useful and personal gift when I simply don’t have the desire or energy to shop. I would rather be with my sisters than shopping for my sisters.

This Christmas I am considering a different approach to gift giving. Instead of using our money to buy, buy, buy, we could use our money that we allocated for our holiday gifts by making a donation to our favorite charities through the Combined Federal Campaign or CFC.

The CFC is the world’s largest annual workplace charity campaign and it is available to all federal employees, including service members. The CFC offers a convenient way to make a donation to your favorite charity through direct withdrawal from your paycheck. You can do a small amount every pay period or a one-time donation.

Haven’t heard about the CFC at your military installation?

You can connect with your CFC campaign here. The 2015 CFC solicitation period ends December 15.

Are you thinking about scaling down your Christmas budget this year? Are you considering a Christmas that is more about giving to others and less about giving gifts?

Here are 25 reasons why I’m considering making donations to my favorite charities through the CFC instead of buying gifts this holiday season.

Here are 25 reasons why I’m considering giving gifts that give back this holiday season.

  1. I don’t want the Black Friday craziness. The day after Thanksgiving I don’t want to be battling for an electronic device in a big box store. I want to be at home, listening to holiday music and spending time with my husband.
  2. Giving is a teaching opportunity. When we donate money to charities through the CFC, it’s a teaching opportunity for our children. We can talk to them about children who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening medical conditions and what a blessing their health is. We can watch videos on Make-A-Wish’s website so that the girls can see how their donation (instead of gifts) helps a child have their wish granted. Donating to charities, like Make-A-Wish is a teaching opportunity for gratitude and empathy.
  3. Giving back helps me put my life in perspective. I like to tell myself that my children are ungrateful and I am not. But if I really listen to what I complain about (I want a bigger house, a new purse and top-of-the-line tablet), I find that I’m losing perspective on what’s important in life. If I’m not careful I focus on things instead of people. Making the decision to give a donation instead of buying a gift helps me remember that things won’t lead to my happiness.
  4. Wrapping paper and I don’t get along. I really, really don’t like wrapping presents. It’s not my thing.
  5. Buying less leads to a greener Christmas. The majority of the toys we buy our children aren’t manufactured in the United States. By buying less and trying to buy a few locally made items, we can help reduce our carbon footprint this holiday season.
  6. This gift won’t break, tear or need batteries. Aren’t we all disappointed when a toy doesn’t last more than few months? When we give the gift of giving back through the CFC, we know that this gift won’t be tossed in the trash. This gift will be making a difference in someone’s life.
  7. We don’t need anything and others do. We have life’s necessities and more than a few luxuries. Instead of getting more stuff, we can give more to others who need it more than we do.
  8. Making donations through the CFC empower us when we feel powerless. When I watch the news, my heart breaks. I see children who need help. I see women who need help. And I feel powerless to help. I want to be right there in Nebraska after a tornado serving food to families who lost their homes. But I can’t; instead I make a donation to the American Red Cross. Supporting organizations that help people after natural disasters helps me not feel powerless.
  9. There are no shipping costs. I like to shop online so I spend a small fortune on shipping fees to get presents to my family during the holiday season. This year, when I make donation to the CFC instead, I won’t waste money on shipping fees.
  10. My donation is a thank you gift. Thank you USO for offering my family a place to relax and recharge when our flight was canceled.
  11. We can honor our family members who we miss this holiday season. Before he died, my grandfather, a Korean veteran, was able to take an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. He was very grateful for this experience. This year, when I’m missing him and remembering the box of chocolates I used to give him every Christmas, I can instead make a donation to Honor Flight through the CFC.
  12. One donation gives back all year. When you make a donation to an organization like Serve Our Willing Warriors, you know that your donation is helping ill and injured service members and their families throughout the year. It’s a gift that goes beyond December 25.
  13. A donation is a one-size-fits-all gift. I don’t have to worry about sister-in-law returning this gift. I don’t have to worry about nephew already having this gift.
  14. My gift can help a community close to my heart – veterans.  Here are 21 military and veteran charities that I highly recommend.
  15. Less stuff means less stress at PCS time.We know we are going to move again. It’s part of being a military family. When the time comes to move, I can get pretty stressed out with all the stuff we have and trying to make it fit in the new house. With less stuff, my stress levels aren’t as high when I unpack after a PCS.
  16. Gifts that give back reduce my guilt. I would love to volunteer with a few organizations that I really love, but right now, I don’t have that time. (I’m looking forward to doing that when I retired.) Since I can’t give my time, I can give my money and stop feeling guilty about not volunteering.
  17. These gifts aren’t hard to find. When I was a child, I wanted a Cabbage Patch doll like every other 5-year-old in the early 80s. But unlike every other kid, I didn’t get one. They were sold out everywhere.
  18. Gifts that give are the perfect gifts for that person who has everything. You know that person (cough my husband, cough) who has everything and you still feel obligated to give them a gift. Skip the jelly of the month club membership and make a donation through the CFC instead.
  19. I could be done with my holiday shopping today. I’m always annoyed when I see a friend post on Facebook on October 15 “already done with my holiday shopping, now I can concentrate on what really matter this holiday season.” Meanwhile, I don’t even start thinking about the holidays until after Thanksgiving dinner. With a few clicks on the CFC website, I could be done with my holiday shopping. It’s so tempting.
  20. There’s not a temptation to overspend. Every year, I make a holiday gift budget and I vow to stick to it. Then I’m shopping and I get excited about everything I see. My budget goes out the window. When I pledge donations through the CFC, I stick to my budget.
  21. No more waiting in lines. Every December I waste a lot of time standing in line. Standing in line at the store. Standing in line to take a photo of my kids with Santa. Standing in line at the post office.
  22. Take the competition out of Christmas. Even when my husband and I pledge to not buy each other gifts, I get sucked into the holiday competitive spirit. I want to give him some amazing gift to show how much I love him when in reality his love is a gift to me.
  23. Gifts that give back help my military family. We know that for many military families this time of year isn’t the happiest time of year. Organizations like Trees for Troops help military families  by providing free fresh Christmas trees to service members and their families. Another option is Snowball Express. This charity provides “hope and new happy memories to the children of military fallen heroes who have died while on active duty since 9/11.”
  24. These gifts help us to never forget. Through the charity, Wreaths Across America, we placed wreaths at the tombstones at Arlington National Cemetery 3 years ago. This event was the perfect opportunity to talk our children about remembering and honoring those who came before us.
  25. I want to celebrate a meaningful Christmas filled with experiences, not gifts. When we talk about past Christmases, my kids never remember the toys they unwrapped. Here’s what they remember:
  • Putting out reindeer food on Christmas Eve
  • Going to the Nutcracker ballet with their cousins
  • Watching The Sound of Music while snuggled under blankets
  • Sledding with their friends at Lake Tahoe

This year, I hope that I can give my children a meaningful Christmas once again. I hope this Christmas will be a time of reflection about what we have instead of what we think we need.

Has your family stopped giving gifts for the holidays? How did you do it?

10 Q’s to Ask Before Making a CFC Donation

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The first time my husband brought home the Combined Federal Campaign’s booklet listing hundreds of nonprofit organizations, I didn’t know where to begin. We knew we wanted to donate some money to a cause that we believed in, but which organization was the right cause for us? Was it only one organization or did we want to divide our donation between several different charities?

10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Making a Donation Through the CFC

The 2015 CFC solicitation period lasts until December 15. Make your 2015 CFC donation today.

Here are 10 questions to ask yourself and your military spouse before making a donation to a charity through the CFC.

What are your passions?

When I was the CFC key worker for my office in Okinawa, I always told each person that I couldn’t advise them on which organizations to give money too. Instead I would ask them:

  • What are your passions?
  • When you watch the news, which stories grab your attention?

Your answers will lead you to charities working on those social causes.

What tugs at your heart strings?

There are 2 organizations that my husband and I always give money to: Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Autism Speaks. The reasons are simple. My grandmother died from breast cancer when she was 62 years old. My 13-year-old nephew was diagnosed with autism when he was 3 years old. Both of these diseases, breast cancer and autism, have personally touched our lives. We pray that a cure is found for both diseases. In addition we donate money for research working to find these cures.

Who do I want to help?

When you think about populations that are in need of assistance, which are the groups that you want to support? For example, you may be sympathetic toward homeless veterans. Then you would want to search the term “homeless” in the CFC’s 2015 Universal Giving Charity Listing. You can easily browse a list of potential charities you will want to donate money to through the CFC.

Which nonprofit organizations have you personally utilized?

I listen to National Public Radio. Every. Single. Day. It’s a service I utilize and therefore, I feel obligated to donate to this organization.

Which charities have been you used in the past? Did you love the Budget for Baby class offer by the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society? Do you always hang out at the USO lounge during layovers at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport? Send a little love to these charities that helped you in the past so that they can help you again in the future.

When was the last time you Googled this organization?

All the charities participating in the CFC have been screened by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and must be registered 501(c)(3) charities. They are also reviewed annually “for evidence that they are providing services on a local, state, national or international level and meeting the standards of public and financial accountability.”

But this federal paperwork doesn’t mean that there hasn’t been a recent scandal involving your favorite charity. Take 2 minutes and Google each potential charity before finalizing your donation.

How is this charity managing their donations?

One of the things I love about Charity Navigator is that you can examine the financial health of CFC-participating charities. Charity Navigator says that “the majority of charities listed on our site-seven out of ten nonprofits-spend at least 75% of their expenses directly on their programs. That means the organization should spend no more than 25% of their total expenses on administrative overhead and fundraising costs combined.”

For me, that’s critical. I want to know that the majority of the money I donate is going to help people, not support a six-figure salary for the charity’s CEO or a national advertising campaign.

Do you want to donate locally or globally or somewhere in-between?

If you’re stationed overseas, you may want to consider donating to your installation’s Family Support & Youth Programs (FSYP) funds through the CFC. These undesignated contributions go directly toward programs that aim to improve the experience of service members and their families living overseas. FSYP funds free sport programs for military children and language classes for spouses. Donating to the FSYP is a great way to give locally and give back to military families. You can only give to the FSYP if you’re stationed overseas.

For the rest of us, think about if you want to donate to international organization like UNICEF or a local organization like the Fort Hood Fisher House. Not sure? Go back and review your passions.

One quick note: this year is the second year that the CFC is conducting what it calls Universal Giving. This means that you can donate to any local charity listed in the CFC charity list. In the past CFC donors were restricted to local charities at their duty stations. Universal Giving allows service members to donate to a local charity in their hometowns when they are stationed across the country.

If you’re considering a local charity, is this an organization you would rather donate your time than your money?

Nearly every charity is looking for volunteers and perhaps that’s a better route for you if you’re living paycheck to paycheck. You can still research these charities through the CFC to ensure that you are volunteering with a legitimate organization.

Which charity did you donate to last year?

I know several service members who asked themselves these first 8 questions and researched their CFC charities the first time they donated a percentage of their paycheck. The next year, they didn’t reinvent in the wheel. They simply renewed their donations through the CFC to the same charities the next year. They know that long-term support to their favorite charities is a great feel-good investment.

How much do you want to donate?

The CFC offers a convenient way to make a donation to your favorite charity through direct withdrawal from your paycheck. You can do a small amount per period ($5) knowing that your donation will add up to a significant impact. You can also do a one-time donation. The choice is yours.

The 2015 CFC solicitation period lasts until December 15. Make your 2015 CFC donation today.

How did you decide which charity to donate to through the CFC?

What’s the Combined Federal Campaign?

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The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is the world’s largest annual workplace charity campaign and it is available to all federal employees, including service members. In 2013, $209.7 million was donated through CFC pledges made between September 1 and December 15 at almost 200 campaigns throughout the country and around the world. The number of participating charities is estimated at more than 20,000 worldwide.

Have you heard of the Combined Federal Campaign? Have you donated to your favorite charities using the CFC in the past?

The CFC is the only authorized giving program for federal employees. Its history dates back to June 1956, when President Dwight Eisenhower formally charged “the President’s Advisor on Personnel Management with responsibility for the development and administration of a uniform policy and program for fundraising within the federal service. In that year, Fund Raising Bulletins No. 1 and No. 2 were issued, identifying the charitable organizations recognized for on-the-job solicitations and designating the times of the year during which their solicitations could take place.”

Prior to the 1950s, federal on-the-job solicitation “was an uncontrolled free-for-all. Agencies, charities, and employees were all ill-used and dissatisfied,” according to the Office of Personal Management.

The first “combined” campaigns happened in 1964. Officially called “Combined Federal Campaigns,” this experiment consolidated fundraising drives from 6 cities into one. The result was a “substantial increase in contributions, ranging from 20 percent to 125 percent and a highly favorable response within the federal community: agency managers were pleased with having to deal only with a once-a-year effort; federal employees responded with favor to the single solicitation.”

In 1971, President Richard Nixon announced that the CFC would be the uniform fundraising method for the federal service.

Today, the Combined Federal Campaign provides a convenient and confidential option for service members who want to donate a percentage of their paychecks or make a one-time donation to their favorite charities.

The Office of Personal Management oversees the CFC. Each base has its own CFC agency coordinators who oversee the key workers. The key workers are federal employees who distribute the CFC charity list and pledge forms within their unit. These key workers may also collect pledge forms and donations from contributors. All pledges are transmitted and reported to the agency coordinator.

I was once the CFC key worker for the MCCS Okinawa Marketing office. My main responsibility was to notify each person working in our office about the CFC. There was zero pressure to donate. The CFC doesn’t have a fundraising goal. Instead the target is that 100 percent of federal employees are notified about the campaign and its purpose.

I also distributed the CFC charity list and answered questions about the CFC. For example, one of the misconceptions of the Combined Federal Campaign is that the charity list is made up of only national nonprofit organizations.

When in fact, the charity list includes national, international and local organizations. This means that the CFC charity list includes a wide range of nonprofit organizations. Think everything from UNICEF to the NRA to Navy Seal Foundation to Guam Girl Scouts.

You can search the charity list easily using the CFC Search Tool found on the CFC website.

What questions do you have about the CFC?

Info About the Combined Federal Campaign

https://www.opm.gov/combined-federal-campaign/

FAQ about the Combined Federal Campaign

https://www.opm.gov/combined-federal-campaign/donating-through-cfc/#url=FAQs

Welcome to the official source for information about the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)

The mission of the CFC is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.

CFC is the world’s largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, with almost 200 CFC campaigns throughout the country and overseas raising millions of dollars each year. Pledges made by Federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season (September 1st to December 15th) support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world. The Director of OPM has designated responsibility for day-to-day management of the program and to its CFC office.

This website will be of interest to anyone interested in workplace giving.


http://www.cfctoday.org/_root/

OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION

Welcome to CFCToday.org, the Web site developed to provide resources for local campaigns and to help Federal employees make informed, educated decisions about giving to charity through the Combined Federal Campaign. The CFC is your campaign, run by Federal volunteers across the nation and overseas, it is the largest employee campaign in the world.

We invite you to learn more about the Combined Federal Campaign, connect with the CFC in your own community, and review the charities that need your support.


http://cfcoverseas.org/news/cfc_overseas_announces_2015_dodds_art_competition_winners