Combined Federal Campaign CFC FAQs

Organizations receiving designations in the 2015 and 2016 CFCs will continue to receive disbursements in the same way they do currently. Beginning with the 2017 CFC, the CCA will send payments via EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer). EFT disbursements are required for participating charitable organizations.

Yes. CFC Charity lists are available on the CFC Pledge System.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) decision referenced above applies to the use of appropriated funds to provide refreshments at CFC events only. The decision to use appropriated funds in other ways to support the CFC may be made by each agency. As before, campaigns are responsible for clearing all CFC events and fundraisers with the agency ethics officers in advance.

Federal regulations state that the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is the only authorized solicitation of employees in the Federal workplace on behalf of charitable organizations. Under an exception in this regulation at 5 CFR §950.102(a)(2), the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) may grant permission for special solicitations of Federal employees, outside of the CFC, in support of victims in cases of emergencies and disasters. All requests must be made in writing and sent to: Director, U.S. Office of Personnel Management 1900 E Street, NW, Room 5450 Washington, DC 20415

Contributions are administered by the Central Campaign Administrator (CCA). The CCA will disburse funds on a monthly starting April 1 immediately following the campaign period.

CFC regulations do not restrict Federal employees from soliciting 'in-kind' (i.e. non-cash) contributions, such as food or toys, by placing donation receptacles in common areas. No special solicitation authority is required to do this, but is subject to the authority of the agency head. OPM encourages you to contact your ethics counsel or General Counsel for guidance.

No. The CFC is the only authorized solicitation of employees in the Federal workplace on behalf of charitable organizations. As such, no other fundraiser for charitable organizations is permitted on federal property.

No. The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) was established by Executive Order. Agency heads may not prevent, impede, or otherwise block solicitation of federal employees within their agency or command without the written approval of the Director of OPM.

Contact the Central Campaign Administrator (CCA) Customer Care Center via telephone (Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm CST)

• Toll Free — (888)232-4935
• Local/Int — (608)237-4935
• TTY Toll Free — (800)203-6280
• TTY Local/Int — (608)268-7740

or via email at support@cfccharities.org.

Yes, all CFC applicants are required to submit a new application annually. However, in accordance with 5 CFR §950.201(c), the full application is required once every three years with an abbreviated “verification application”—consisting of only the certification statements and the IRS Form 990 or pro forma IRS Form 990—required in the intervening years.

The CFC regulations do not cover workplace solicitations made on behalf of individuals or their families. As a result, your department or agency does not need OPM's authorization for a solicitation to permit collection of funds for this purpose. However, Federal employees may only solicit funds for fellow employees in need subject to established ethics requirements and non-CFC solicitation requests affecting Federal buildings. A request for donations under either the CFC or a special solicitation is made on behalf of charitable organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of Internal Revenue Code. We strongly encourage you to contact your agency's ethics counsel or General Counsel if you are planning such an activity.

It is difficult to estimate how much an organization will receive in any given year of the CFC. Like any workplace giving program, it is subject to influences that may affect giving (e.g. 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.

Yes. Federal retirees may participate in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) by making either a one-time contribution (credit/debit card or e-check) or through monthly deductions from their annuities. Both of these methods can be used on the CFC Pledging System.

No. All CFC Charity Lists must be faithful reproductions of those provided by OPM through the Central Campaign Administrator (CCA). This includes the order of local federations and independent organizations within the local portion of the CFC Charity List, which will be determined by a random selection process. The order of organizations within each federation will be determined by that federation. The order within the national and local independent groups will be alphabetical. For more information see 5 CFR §950.401(g)(2).