Combined Federal Campaign CFC FAQs

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

A complete IRS Form 990 will include the entire Form 990 itself, and all applicable supplemental/supporting statements with the exception of Schedule B. The IRS Form 990 must also contain all appropriate signatures. Electronic IRS Forms 990 must be accompanied with IRS Form 8879-EO (IRS e-file Signature Authorization for an Exempt Organization") or Form 8453-EO ("Exempt Organization Declaration and Signature for Electronic Filing"). Both Form 8879-EO and 8453-EO require an officer's signature and declaration that the information contained in the document is true, correct, and complete.

Campaigns may choose to send payments via check or EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer). Participation in EFT disbursements is optional for participating charitable organizations.

Yes. Charitable organizations should contact their local CFC office for information on CFC events.  Campaigns must notify all participating organizations (local, national, or international) of opportunities to participate in events in the local campaign area.

Yes. LFCCs must ensure that local charitable organizations are given adequate notice of the application period and process and that the applications are made available to interested parties. This may be done by posting the forms on the campaign website and/or sending the forms to charities via email. LFCCs can provide such notice through various public service announcements which include but are not limited to local newspapers, radio and television stations, etc. The LFCC should also ensure the PCFO maintains a mailing list of local charitable organizations that have requested information and tracks the receipt of completed charity applications in a database or by other means.

It is difficult to estimate how much you will receive in any given year as the CFC, like all workplace giving, is subject to influences that may affect giving (i.e., fluctuations in the Federal labor force). After participating for a number of years, it may be possible to establish an estimated range for the amount to be received. We suggest that charitable organizations contact similar charities which participate in the CFC to inquire about their experiences. Please note that participation in the CFC is not a guarantee that the organization will receive designations from donors.

No. Donors may not use the CFC pledge form to direct their contributions to special solicitation efforts. This can lead to confusion and ultimately the CFC does not have the authority to designate that a specific program within an organization receive the funds.

No. An organization applying for statewide presence must prove that it provides or conducts real services, benefits, assistance or program activities covering 30 percent of a state's geographic boundaries or conducting real services, benefits, assistance or program activities affecting 30 percent of the state's population. This cannot be met solely on the basis of services provided through an "800" telephone number, the internet, the US Postal Service or a combination thereof. For more details see CFC Memo 2006-22.

No. A federation and its member organizations must apply on an annual basis to the CFC and all of its existing member organization applications should be kept on file at the federation. The federation is required to submit all of its members' applications the first year it applies for federation status. Once federation status has been established, it is only required to certify its member organizations as eligible and submit the applications of member organizations that did not participate as a federation member in the previous campaign period. However, the LFCC can request any or all of the member applications at any time. If an existing member does not meet the eligibility criteria, the federation must include that information in its annual application.

No. A retiree can volunteer to help on the campaign but cannot represent any government entity or solicit federal employees.

A special solicitation is, by definition, not part of the CFC. Receipts from the special solicitation cannot be combined with CFC donations.

Campaigns may make payments via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), but are not required to do so. Participating charitable organizations are also not required to submit EFT information. Campaigns wishing to make EFT payments can contact the Office of the CFC for information on national/international charities that are participating in the EFT program.

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 Director will approve requests for special solicitations during the CFC solicitation period only upon the showing of extraordinary circumstances.