what is the cfc? The CFC is the only authorized solicitation of employees in the Federal workplace on behalf of charitable organizations. It continues to be the largest and most successful workplace fundraising model in the world. With a tradition of commitment to the community through the selfless efforts of Federal employees, the CFC has its roots in the many charitable campaigns of the early 1960’s. Seeing a need to bring the diversity of fundraising efforts under one umbrella, the CFC was created – one campaign, once a year. In 2006, Federal employees around the world raised more than $271.6 million for charitable causes.
how is the cfc structured? The CFC is made up of local campaigns that raise funds in Federal workplaces across the country and around the world. Local charities that serve the local area or adjacent counties apply directly to a Local Federal Coordinating Committee (LFCC) – which serves as a “Board of Directors” of the local CFC. The LFCC is composed of Federal employees and representatives of labor unions with Federal employees as members. Decisions regarding the inclusion of charities in the local campaigns are made by the LFCC. LFCCs are also responsible for the oversight of the local CFC in conformance with the CFC regulations and policies promulgated by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). All organizations participating in the campaigns must meet strict public accountability criteria set forth in OPM regulations.
The LFCC selects one of the voluntary organizations involved in the local CFC to serve as the Principal Combined Fund Organization (PCFO), whose job it is to manage the campaign and serve as fiscal agent. OPM sets strict requirements for this role. Annual audits are required of the PCFO by an independent CPA.
OPM is responsible for regulating the CFC, providing guidance and oversight nationwide, and also has the authority to conduct compliance audits on any CFC local campaign fiscal records.
how are the charities listed? The charity listing includes national, international, and local organizations. National and International organizations are approved by OPM, and Local organizations are approved by the LFCC’s.
Each organization’s listing information includes the following: CFC code, organization name, legal name of the organization in parentheses if it is doing business under another name, phone number, website address, the employer identification number (EIN), statement of purpose, fundraising and administrative expenses as a percentage of total support and revenue, and a service classification or taxonomy code.
The EIN provides donors a point of reference for obtaining additional information about an organization from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (877-829-5500). Please note that some organizations may be covered under an umbrella organization’s tax exemption status and EIN or may not be required to have an EIN.
how are charities selected? In order to participate in the CFC, organizations must demonstrate that they meet the eligibility and public accountability standards set forth in CFC regulations at 5 CFR Part 950. Donors are also encouraged to contact the charity to which they wish to contribute as well as industry oversight organizations that may provide additional information about a charity’s financial status, its service record, and governance.
CAN I SPECIFY WHICH ORGANIZATION RECEIVES MY CONTRIBUTION? By designating where your CFC contribution will go, you ensure that your donation goes to meet the needs that you feel are most important. You may designate the organizations of your choice where indicated on your pledge form. Additional designations must be completed on a second pledge form. Except for documented expenses for the operation of the local CFCs and uncollected pledges, all contributions are distributed as designated.
You cannot designate an organization that is not listed in this listing. Adding organizations not listed, or “write-ins”, is prohibited by CFC regulations and donations to such organizations will be treated as undesignated funds.
what if i choose not to SPECIFY WHICH ORGANIZATION RECEIVES MY CONTRIBUTION? All funds contributed to the CFC that are not designated to a specific organization or federation will be distributed to all organizations listed in the CFC Charity Listing in the same proportion as they received designations. Organizations that do not receive designated dollars cannot receive any donations.
do i have to contribute to cfc ? No. Participation in the CFC is strictly voluntary.
Coercion is forbidden. You have the right not to be improperly influenced regarding your decision to give or not to give through the CFC. Practices not permitted include, but are not limited to: supervisory solicitation of employees supervised, setting of 100% participation goals, providing and using contributor lists for purposes other than the routine collection and forwarding of contributions and installment pledges, establishing personal dollar goals and quotas, and developing and using lists of non-contributors.
If you prefer, you may donate to the CFC anonymously by placing your confidential gift in a sealed envelope.
Civilian employees may register complaints about coercion with the LFCC and contact their personnel offices; military personnel should contact their commanding officers.
will i receive a receipt for my contribution ? Donors may keep a copy of their pledge formas a receipt of their pledge. A Federal employee who makes a one-time (cash, check, or money order) contribution of $250 or more and those who make a payroll deduction contribution of $250 or more per pay period to a single organization in the CFC should consult a tax adviser to determine if additional verification of the donation is required by the IRS. Such verification can be obtained by contacting the local CFC office.