Combined Federal Campaign
Encyclopedia
The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is a program allowing certain charitable organization
s to solicit contribution
s from employees of the federal government of the United States
. 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.
campaign in the United States
and the only campaign authorized to solicit and collect contributions from federal employees in the workplace on behalf of charitable organizations. As the world's largest and most successful annual workplace giving campaign, each year, more than 350 CFC campaigns throughout the United States and internationally help to raise millions of dollars
. Nearly four million federal employees and military
personnel are able to contribute to the charities of their choice during the annual charity
drive, which runs from September 1 through December 15 of each year. Pledges made by Federal civilian, postal, and military donors during the campaign season support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world. These contributions can be made either by cash
or check
, or can be automatically deducted from these employee's paycheck
s. Federal employees created the original CFC-One campaign. Established by a Presidential
Executive Order signed by President John F. Kennedy
in 1961, it continues to be the largest and most successful workplace fundraising
model in the world.
(OPM) has designated to the Office of CFC Operations (OCFCO) responsibility for day-to-day management of the CFC. OPM is accountable for assuring Federal employees that their designations will be honored and distributed to the charitable organization of their choice, and that all charitable organizations listed in the CFC have met strict eligibility requirements on an annual basis. OPM's Office of Combined Federal Campaign Operations works closely with the Local Federal Coordinating Committee (LFCC) in each campaign area to fulfill this responsibility. LFCCs act as the campaign's "Board of Directors
", and as such, have direct oversight of the finances and conduct of the CFC in their community.
as determined by the Internal Revenue Service
under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26
of the United States Code
that provide health and human services, and that are determined to be eligible for participation in the CFC. Organizations may apply and be listed in the CFC brochure
as either a local, national, or an international unaffiliated organization, or as a member of a local, national, or international federation
. Charities that apply to receive funds through the CFC are required to submit to extensive review of their financial and governance practices prior to acceptance. This eligibility review has helped set standards for participation in giving initiatives that transcend the community.
The Combined Federal Campaign annually reviews charities wishing to participate, applying strict criteria designed to ensure that donated money truly reaches those in need. The OCFCO reviews applications for the national and international lists; the individual campaigns review applications for the local listings. To be listed as an eligible CFC charity, an organization must, among other requirements:
To qualify as a national or international group, charities must demonstrate that they provide or conduct real services, benefits, assistance or program activities in at least 15 states (counted over a three year period) or a foreign country. Local groups must similarly demonstrate their presence in the specific community.
s, intended to identify people involved in "terrorist
activities". This resulted in the American Civil Liberties Union
(ACLU) resigning from the CFC July 31, 2004, because such checks violate their principle
s. In November 2004, the ACLU and 12 other non-profit organizations filed a lawsuit
challenging this policy. Since then, in November 2005, the OCFCO has put out revised requirements. The new regulation requires that each federation, federation member, and un-affiliated organization applying for participation in the CFC must, as a condition of participation, complete a certification that it is in compliance with all statute
s, Executive orders, and regulations restricting or prohibiting U.S. persons from engaging in transactions and dealings with countries, entities, or individuals subject to economic sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury
’s Office of Foreign Assets Control
(OFAC). In essence, the charities have to certify that the organizations that they support are not considered terrorist organizations by the US Government. While the ACLU was not in the CFC for 2005, these revised requirements seem to have satisfied most of the charities who complained. In 2007, the ACLU returned to the CFC.
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
s to solicit contribution
Fundraising
Fundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies...
s from employees of the federal government of the United States
Federal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
. The mission of the CFC is to promote and support philanthropy
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
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.
History
Established in 1961, the CFC is the largest workplace charityCharitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
campaign in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the only campaign authorized to solicit and collect contributions from federal employees in the workplace on behalf of charitable organizations. As the world's largest and most successful annual workplace giving campaign, each year, more than 350 CFC campaigns throughout the United States and internationally help to raise millions of dollars
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
. Nearly four million federal employees and military
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
personnel are able to contribute to the charities of their choice during the annual charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
drive, which runs from September 1 through December 15 of each year. Pledges made by Federal civilian, postal, and military donors during the campaign season support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world. These contributions can be made either by cash
Cash
In common language cash refers to money in the physical form of currency, such as banknotes and coins.In bookkeeping and finance, cash refers to current assets comprising currency or currency equivalents that can be accessed immediately or near-immediately...
or check
Cheque
A cheque is a document/instrument See the negotiable cow—itself a fictional story—for discussions of cheques written on unusual surfaces. that orders a payment of money from a bank account...
, or can be automatically deducted from these employee's paycheck
Payroll
In a company, payroll is the sum of all financial records of salaries for an employee, wages, bonuses and deductions. In accounting, payroll refers to the amount paid to employees for services they provided during a certain period of time. Payroll plays a major role in a company for several reasons...
s. Federal employees created the original CFC-One campaign. Established by a Presidential
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Executive Order signed by President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
in 1961, it continues to be the largest and most successful workplace fundraising
Fundraising
Fundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies...
model in the world.
Management
The Director of Office of Personnel ManagementOffice of Personnel Management
The United States Office of Personnel Management is an independent agency of the United States government that manages the civil service of the federal government. The current Director is John Berry.-History:...
(OPM) has designated to the Office of CFC Operations (OCFCO) responsibility for day-to-day management of the CFC. OPM is accountable for assuring Federal employees that their designations will be honored and distributed to the charitable organization of their choice, and that all charitable organizations listed in the CFC have met strict eligibility requirements on an annual basis. OPM's Office of Combined Federal Campaign Operations works closely with the Local Federal Coordinating Committee (LFCC) in each campaign area to fulfill this responsibility. LFCCs act as the campaign's "Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
", and as such, have direct oversight of the finances and conduct of the CFC in their community.
Eligible charities
Charities included in the CFC are organizations with status as tax-exempt charitiesCharitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
as determined by the Internal Revenue Service
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service is the revenue service of the United States federal government. The agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, and is under the immediate direction of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue...
under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26
Internal Revenue Code
The Internal Revenue Code is the domestic portion of Federal statutory tax law in the United States, published in various volumes of the United States Statutes at Large, and separately as Title 26 of the United States Code...
of the United States Code
United States Code
The Code of Laws of the United States of America is a compilation and codification of the general and permanent federal laws of the United States...
that provide health and human services, and that are determined to be eligible for participation in the CFC. Organizations may apply and be listed in the CFC brochure
Brochure
A brochure is a type of leaflet. Brochures are most commonly found at places that tourists frequently visit, such as museums, major shops, and tourist information. Brochure racks or stands may suggest visits to amusement parks and other points of interest...
as either a local, national, or an international unaffiliated organization, or as a member of a local, national, or international federation
Federation
A federation , also known as a federal state, is a type of sovereign state characterized by a union of partially self-governing states or regions united by a central government...
. Charities that apply to receive funds through the CFC are required to submit to extensive review of their financial and governance practices prior to acceptance. This eligibility review has helped set standards for participation in giving initiatives that transcend the community.
The Combined Federal Campaign annually reviews charities wishing to participate, applying strict criteria designed to ensure that donated money truly reaches those in need. The OCFCO reviews applications for the national and international lists; the individual campaigns review applications for the local listings. To be listed as an eligible CFC charity, an organization must, among other requirements:
- Be tax exempt under IRS Code 501(c)3.
- Demonstrate that it provides services, benefits, or assistance to, or conducts activities affecting, human health and welfare.
- If a local charity, have a dedicated officeOfficeAn office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the...
that is open at least 15 hours a week, and a dedicated phone number. - Provide its latest IRS 990 tax return.
- Account for its funds in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and be audited by an independent certified public accountant in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing StandardsGenerally Accepted Auditing StandardsGenerally Accepted Auditing Standards, or GAAS are sets of standards against which the quality of audits are performed and may be judged...
(GAAS). - Produce and make available to the public an annual reportAnnual reportAn annual report is a comprehensive report on a company's activities throughout the preceding year. Annual reports are intended to give shareholders and other interested people information about the company's activities and financial performance...
that describes its activities and identifies its directors/governing body and chief administrative personnel. - Provide information on how much of its revenue is spent on administration and fundraisingFundraisingFundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies...
. (Organizations were capped at 25 percent until the 2006 campaign, but are now allowed to spend more) - Be governed by a boardBoard of directorsA board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
or other similar body that is active and responsible and whose members have no material conflict of interestConflict of interestA conflict of interest occurs when an individual or organization is involved in multiple interests, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation for an act in the other....
. A majority of this governing body must also serve without compensation. - Prohibit the sale or lease of CFC donorDonationA donation is a gift given by physical or legal persons, typically for charitable purposes and/or to benefit a cause. A donation may take various forms, including cash, services, new or used goods including clothing, toys, food, and vehicles...
names. - Provide a 25-word statement of the service that they provide, which will be included in the campaign Agency Guide (also known as the "Catalog of Caring").
To qualify as a national or international group, charities must demonstrate that they provide or conduct real services, benefits, assistance or program activities in at least 15 states (counted over a three year period) or a foreign country. Local groups must similarly demonstrate their presence in the specific community.
Terrorist screening controversy
In 2004, the program added a new requirement that all organizations participating in the CFC must certify that they screen all of their employees against government-created blacklistBlacklist
A blacklist is a list or register of entities who, for one reason or another, are being denied a particular privilege, service, mobility, access or recognition. As a verb, to blacklist can mean to deny someone work in a particular field, or to ostracize a person from a certain social circle...
s, intended to identify people involved in "terrorist
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
activities". This resulted in the American Civil Liberties Union
American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
(ACLU) resigning from the CFC July 31, 2004, because such checks violate their principle
Principle
A principle is a law or rule that has to be, or usually is to be followed, or can be desirably followed, or is an inevitable consequence of something, such as the laws observed in nature or the way that a system is constructed...
s. In November 2004, the ACLU and 12 other non-profit organizations filed a lawsuit
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
challenging this policy. Since then, in November 2005, the OCFCO has put out revised requirements. The new regulation requires that each federation, federation member, and un-affiliated organization applying for participation in the CFC must, as a condition of participation, complete a certification that it is in compliance with all statute
Statute
A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs a state, city, or county. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. The word is often used to distinguish law made by legislative bodies from case law, decided by courts, and regulations...
s, Executive orders, and regulations restricting or prohibiting U.S. persons from engaging in transactions and dealings with countries, entities, or individuals subject to economic sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury
United States Department of the Treasury
The Department of the Treasury is an executive department and the treasury of the United States federal government. It was established by an Act of Congress in 1789 to manage government revenue...
’s Office of Foreign Assets Control
Office of Foreign Assets Control
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is an agency of the United States Department of the Treasury under the auspices of the Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. OFAC administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S...
(OFAC). In essence, the charities have to certify that the organizations that they support are not considered terrorist organizations by the US Government. While the ACLU was not in the CFC for 2005, these revised requirements seem to have satisfied most of the charities who complained. In 2007, the ACLU returned to the CFC.