FAQs

What are the costs of the campaign?
Last year, approximately 10% of the funds raised nationwide were spent on printing materials, training volunteers, auditing contributions, and other administrative expenses. All local campaign costs are reviewed and approved by the LFCC governing the local campaign. On average, this cost is low compared with other fundraising campaigns; therefore, every dollar you pledge goes a very long way toward helping others.

What is the payroll deduction option?
Payroll deduction makes it convenient for you to give by letting you spread your contribution across the entire year. Last year, more than 90% of all CFC funds raised were given through payroll deduction. Payments on payroll deduction pledges begin on the first pay period beginning in January and conclude with the last pay period beginning in December. Because there is no simpler way for you to make good things happen for so many people, payroll deduction helps you care for your community and your world.

Can I specify which organization will receive 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 card. Additional designations must be completed on a second pledge card. 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 brochure.

Adding organizations not listed, or “write-ins”, is prohibited by CFC regulations and donations to such organizations will be treated as undesignated funds.

How do I designate a federation, or alternatively, one of its members, to receive my contribution?
If you wish to designate all or some portion of your contribution to a federation, please record that federation’s corresponding code number on your pledge card. The federation name will be listed at the top of the list of the federation’s member organizations. Contributions designated to a federation will be shared in accordance with the federation’s policy. If you wish to designate all or some portion of your contribution to a federation member organization, please record that organization’s corresponding code number on your pledge card.

How do I designate an unaffiliated organization to receive my contribution?
You may wish to designate to a specific organization or organizations not affiliated with a federation (unaffiliated organizations). If you wish to designate all or some portion of your contribution to an unaffiliated organization, please record that organization’s corresponding code number on your pledge card.

What if I choose not to specify an organization to receive my CFC 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 brochure in the same proportion as they received designations. Organizations that do not receive designated dollars cannot receive any donations.

International General Designation Option
If you wish to have your contribution distributed proportionately among all international organizations that received designated gifts, you may do so by recording the letters IIII on your pledge card.

Do I have to give through the 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 form, as well as their pay statements, as a receipt of their pledge. A Federal employee who makes a one-time (cash, check, or money order) contribution must maintain a bank record or a written communication from the local campaign showing the name of the organizations contributed to, the date of the contribution, and the amount of the contribution. Such verification can be obtained by contacting the local CFC office.

Visit the CFC Homepage
For information about the CFC, including details on the public accountability standards for participating charities, visit the CFC Home Page at www.opm.gov/cfc.