Frequently Asked Questions About the Combined Federal Campaign

What is new this year?
Five-digit codes! The Office of CFC Operations and the Office of Personnel Management (which oversees the CFC) has assigned each charity in the CFC with a unique five-digit code. The code is linked to the charity’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) and will be permanently assigned to the charity for as long as it is involved with the CFC. You may only use the five-digit codes contained in this booklet.

How do I know the charity I designate actually receives my gift?
If you would like to receive acknowledgement, please fill in the contact information on the box titled “Recognition Options” on your pledge form. This will assure that you will receive verification of your contribution. The CFC Brochure The CFC booklet can be retained and used as a reference document for service organizations that you or a friend may need. Please give it to someone who could use it if you do not choose to keep it or return it to your campaign canvasser to recycle.

Is CFC contributions tax deductible?
Yes. For IRS purposes, please keep a copy of your pledge form to verify your pledge to the CFC and your final pay stub for 2008 to verify that the pledge was fulfilled. What if I give, but don’t specify a charity? All undesignated funds will be distributed proportionally to all organizations receiving designations in our CFC campaign.

Why give this year if I didn’t give last year?
Like most federal employees, you benefit either directly or indirectly from one or more of the member organizations listed in the CFC brochure. Your donation will help insure the continuation of those benefits.

How will my privacy be protected?
CFC regulations prohibit the release of contributors’ names to charitable organizations for the purpose of solicitation. If you want the charitable organization to recognize your contribution, indicate such on the front page of the pledge card by checking the box in front of the following statement: “Release my name and contact information to the charities I designated.” Otherwise, all contributions are anonymous.

Why do we have an Awards & Incentive Program for donors?
Awards and incentives are a form of positive reinforcement and recognition that help publicize the campaign. Their total cost is less than 1% of revenue. Since we introduced this program in 2005, we have doubled the number of donors at the $1,000 level.

Payroll deduction: When does the money come out of my paycheck?
The first deduction is made the first pay period in January 2008; the last deduction is the last pay period in December 2008.

Isn’t the CFC just another way for managers to pat themselves on the back?
No. It is rank and file employees who make the CFC the success that it is. It bears repeating that it is a federal employee program. None of the managers are recognized based on the achievement of their Division.

Public accountability.
OPM maintains strict eligibility and public accountability criteria that all participating CFC charities must meet. OPM also sets strict requirements for the activities and conduct of the Local Federal Coordinating Committee (LFCC) and the Principal Combined Fund Organization (PCFO). The fiscal integrity of the campaign is verified annually by OPM.

Why are there so many charities, and who determines which ones are allowed into the campaign?
The practice is to include any organization that meets the OPM’s strict admission requirements. Local decisions are made by the Local Federal Coordinating Committee, and OPM resolves any local charity admission appeals.

FIVE DIGIT CFC CHARITY CODE FACTS

1. Every charity will have only one five-digit, numeric CFC code.
   
   
2. The new five-digit code is assigned to the charity for the life of that charity. Another code will not be assigned to the charity nor will that code be assigned to a different charity.


3. A five-digit code assignment does not mean that the charity is eligible to participate in the campaign. Charities must be reviewed annually by their campaigns for eligibility.
   
   
4. The Undesignated category code is assigned five nines: 99999
   
   
5. The International Quad I code is assigned five number ones:  11111
   
   
6. Incorrect CFC charity codes are those that are a) not exactly five digits in length, b) contain a letter or other symbol, or c) begin with the number zero.
   
   
7. Designations made with incorrect CFC codes which cannot be resolved or corrected cannot be honored and will become undesignated contributions according to 5 CFR § 950.402(c) and 5 CFR § 950.501.