Combined Federal Campaign- Fantastic Program for Charitable Donations by Federal Employees

While on active duty in the US Air Force, I had the privilege and convenience of donating to charity through the annual Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).  The CFC, sanctioned in 1961 by President Kennedy, is a program for federal employees to make charitable donations.  Today it is the largest workplace program for donations to charity, taking in and distributing well over $200 million per year.  Federal civilian, post office and military personnel have the opportunity to donate by check or through payroll deduction. 

The official stated campaign is 1 September to 15 December each year.  Most any other fundraising requests are denied during the CFC.  The bases where I was stationed my last 10 years usually kicked off 1 October.  There was always a CFC Kick Off Breakfast for CFC officials and key workers.  I was a squadron key worker one year.  I got “volun-told” by my boss.  Key workers arrange for CFC or participating charity representatives to come to staff meetings or flight meetings.  You can request most anything.  For example if someone expresses an interest in seeing eye dogs, or United Way supporting services for special needs children, the CFC will locate a speaker from those organizations. 

Key workers distribute booklets with basic information about the CFC, and all of the participating charities.  The goal is 100% contact.  This means everyone is contacted and given the opportunity to give.  The policy is no one is to be pressured to give, although goals are set for each level within the organization, such as by flight or squadron.  On the whole, the wing or base usually surpassed the goal each year. 

There is a huge number and variety of participating charities in the Combined Federal Campaign.  There are several thousand local, national and international organizations to choose from.  Although Wikipedia suggests charities are “health and human services” related, there is a far greater variety.  There are research and support organizations for a myriad of cancers, disorders, diseases, conditions and syndromes.  There are local and international charities for human rights, environmental and conservation efforts, education, poverty, health, and wildlife.  It can be overwhelming with so many choices.  You can select up to 5 charities.  I kept my booklets and donation receipts and rotated my choices over the years.  Some choices were umbrellas for groupings of charities.  For me, Red Cross, United Way, Salvation Army, and USO are always good choices. 

I always took advantage of the payroll deduction. I don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine ever writing a check for $600 for a charitable donation. I could however manage $50 per month, drafted automatically as a payroll deduction from my military pay. I guess you could say I love the Combined Federal Campaign, and was proud to be able to participate each year. They usually gave me a coffee mug for my contribution which made me happy. I collect coffee mugs, so I really appreciated the token and “souvenir”.

Learn more about the Combined Federal Campaign:

CFC Fundraising, America's Largest Workplace Giving Campaign for Non-profits

CFC Treasures by Bill Huddleston

Combined Federal Campaign, Wikipedia

CFC Today

Office of Personnel Management, Combined Federal Campaign