CFC MEMORANDUM 2001-08

MEMORANDUM FOR PRINCIPAL COMBINED FUND ORGANIZATIONS (PCFOs) AND LOCAL FEDERAL COORDINATING COMMITTEES (LFCCs)

The Office of CFC Operations has received a number of inquiries about distribution, in the Federal workplace, of materials listing and/or describing the work of CFC charitable agencies.  As the campaign season swings into high gear, we would like to remind campaigns of what is permissible. 

Federal regulations (at 5 CFR §950.102(a)) make it very clear that CFC is the only permissible solicitation on behalf of charities in the Federal workplace.  As such, it is never permissible for for-profit organizations to engage in charitable solicitations in the workplace, even when they are acting on behalf of CFC charities.  Nonprofit organizations participating in CFC may only conduct fundraising events and/or solicitations in the workplace when those activities have been approved by the Federal installation head. 

There is only one official CFC catalogue, which is printed and distributed by the PCFO according to instructions from OPM.  CFC regulations (at 5 CFR §950.401(b)) permit participating CFC organizations to bring educational materials describing their services or programs onto Federal facilities during the CFC solicitation period.  However, these CFC organizations must receive approval by the Federal agency installation head for such distribution.  Installation heads are reminded that if one CFC organization is granted permission to distribute its materials, all other CFC organizations must be given the same opportunity. 

Please contact the Office of CFC Operations at (202) 606-2564 if you have any questions about the distribution of charities' materials or workplace solicitations.