FAQ's
What is the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)?
Answer: The CFC is the only authorized solicitation of employees in the federal workplace on behalf of charitable organizations. Each year federal employees give millions of dollars through the CFC. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has overall responsibility for oversight of the CFC. OPM reviews and provides guidance and technical advice on regulations and conducts compliance audits on CFC fiscal records. The Local Federal Coordinating Committee (LFCC) oversees campaign activities in each community and ensures that donors do not feel coerced into giving.
What is the purpose of the CFC?
Answer: The purpose of the CFC is to support and promote philanthropy through a program that is employee-focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to give through payroll deduction to charities that have been screened by OPM or by the Local Federal Coordinating Committee
Why should I give through the CFC?
Answer: By giving through CFC, you get the --Widest range of choice of any workplace charitable campaign; Convenience of payroll deduction, allowing you to spread out your gift in several smaller payments over the year; Regulated by OPM and overseen by the Local Federal Coordinating Committee; Benefits of leveraged giving because undesignated dollars will be given to the charity or charities that you contribute to; and Convenience of having your total charitable contribution listed on your W-2 for use when filing your tax return.
Is this a United Way campaign?
Answer: No. There may be a misconception that this is a United Way campaign because United Way has been contracted to provide the staff and administrative support for CFC and process CFC pledge cards. The CFC and United Way campaigns are separate, and the United Way is audited each year with a successful record of managing the CFC campaign efficiently. United Way is only one of the participating charities in CFC where you may direct your gift, along with hundreds of other choices. The wonderful thing about CFC is that you and you alone control where your gift will go. You may designate a specific agency or federation to contribute to, and you have more than 2,000 to choose from in the 2006 Resource Guide.
I already contribute to worthy causes through my church, civic organization, etc. Why should I give anything through CFC?
Answer: CFC is not intended to replace or infringe upon your other charitable giving. It does provide an opportunity for you to join with other federal employees to make a statement about our commitment and concern for our community. Additionally, CFC gives you an opportunity to give to a worthy charity or charities that might not otherwise be helped by your regular contributions, and to do so through the convenience of payroll deduction. It also helps to share some of the undesignated contributions with your favorite charity!
Should I fill out the inside front cover of the pledge card?
Answer: If you are giving at any of the three incentive levels, (see below for information on each level), you should fill out the inside front cover. It is important information the CFC office will need in order to send you your recognition gift. If you are a Leadership Circle or Eagle Circle donor, the CFC office will need to know whether you would like to be listed in the next year’s CFC resource guide (gift amount will not be listed).
How much should I give?
Answer: Many federal employees want to help those less fortunate but are not sure how much to give. Giving is an entirely personal decision based on individual circumstance and ability to contribute—you should never feel forced to give. The minimum gift is by payroll deduction $1 per pay period. There is no maximum gift. ALL gifts are welcome and recognized by the CFC.
How much money is raised through CFC?
Answer: The CFC is the 2nd largest workplace giving campaign raising $268.5 million in 2005. Employees who participated in the CFC of North Central Texas last year raised $4.2 million. Of that amount, $1,428,233 came from donations of $1,000 or more. Although we should be proud of this effort, we can do more by increasing participation and encouraging every donor to considering increasing his or her gift. The charities of the CFC are counting on our continued support.
Many donors only contribute $1 per pay period. Has OPM considered a nationwide pledge minimum of 2, 3, or 5 dollars to increase revenue?
Answer: 5 CFR Part 950.901(e)(1) states, "The minimum amount of the allotment will be determined by the LFCC but will not be less than $1 per payday, with no restriction in the size of the increment above that minimum." OPM does not plan to change the regulatory minimum since the LFCC can determine its own minimum for their specific CFC.
Can a federal employee donate to a local agency in a neighboring CFC campaign area?
Answer: No. As stated in 5 CFR 950.103(h), a federal employee may participate in a particular CFC only if that employee's official duty station is located within the geographic boundaries of that CFC. Campaign boundaries are strictly determined and approved by OPM.
Can CFC donors who give above a certain level be listed in a PCFO publication or recognition ceremony? Do we have to get permission from all of the donors? Is it a breach of confidentiality?
Answer: Recognition of employees who give above a certain level is permitted at CFC-related awards ceremonies, with the donor's permission. If the donor pledged to the PCFO agency specifically and authorized his/her name release on the pledge card, the PCFO may list the name in a PCFO publication. Please note that release of contribution amounts is not permitted, therefore the amount of the donation may not be noted in the PCFO's publication. The PCFO may not use the names of employees who authorized the release of their names if they donated to other participating charities, even members of the PCFO's federation. For more information see 5 CFR Part 950.601.
Can new hires be asked to give when they join a federal agency even if it is not during the campaign?
Answer: No. Federal employees may be solicited to give only during the CFC campaign period.
Is there any problem with extending the 6 week period for large agencies?
Answer: Any extensions on campaigns past the six week period may be authorized by the LFCC. No campaign may be extended beyond December 15 for any reason.