Frequently Asked Questions Combined Federal Campaign

Each local campaign office is required to notify designated charitable organizations, in writing, of the amount of pledges it received by a date determined by OPM. Charitable organizations that did not receive a designation in the campaign area will not receive a communication from the campaign.

The PCFO must make every attempt to contact the charitable organization and determine if it is still viable. If the charitable organization no longer exists, the PCFO must consider the funds undesignated.

Donors can designate any amount they wish to a charitable organization. There is no limit to the amount a charitable organization can receive.

Bona-fide chapters or affiliates of a national organization that are not separately incorporated are permitted to submit the parent organization's audited financial statements, to the extent required, and 26 U.S.C 501(c)(3) tax exemption letter, buts must provide its own pro forma IRS Form 990, page 1 and Part V only, for CFC purposes. In order to use the parent organization's tax exemption letter and audited financial statements (if required), the local organization must provide a certification signed by either the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or CEO equivalent of the national organization stating that the local charitable organization operates as a bona-fide chapter or affiliate in good standing of the national organization and it is covered by the national organization's 501(c)(3) tax-exemption, IRS Form 990 and audited financial statements. A copy of the national organization's 501(c)(3) letter must accompany the CEO's certification.

Yes. All special solicitations must be approved by the Director of OPM, regardless of whether or not the recipient charity participates in the CFC.

No. Key Workers, PCFO staff and others assisting with the CFC cannot identify those CFC charitable organizations involved in disaster relief in response to requests from donors unless they are following instructions disseminated by the Director of OPM.

Yes. The CFC regulations, set forth at 5 CFR § 950.102, state that the CFC is the only authorized solicitation of employees in the Federal workplace on behalf of charitable organizations. No other solicitation on behalf of charitable organizations may be conducted in the Federal workplace. These regulations do not apply to the collection of gifts-in-kind, such as food, clothing and toys, or to the solicitation of Federal employees outside of the Federal workplace. Heads of departments or agencies may establish policies and procedures applicable to solicitations conducted by organizations composed of civilian employees or members of the uniformed services among their own members for organizational support or for the benefit of welfare funds for their members.

The PCFO must separate its CFC activities from non-CFC activities. This includes training, campaign events, and donor recognition.