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OPM.gov / Combined Federal Campaign / Reference Materials / Memos
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Solicitation of Deployed Troops

CFC Memorandum 2002-11

TO: DIRECTORS, CFC PRINCIPAL COMBINED FUND ORGANIZATIONS AND CHAIRS, LOCAL FEDERAL COORDINATING COMMITTEES
FROM: MARA T. PATERMASTER, DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF CFC OPERATIONS
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL GUIDANCE - Solicitation of Deployed Troops

The purpose of this guidance is to remind PCFOs of the allowable practices and limitations regarding the solicitation of deployed military personnel and clarify the definition of the official duty station for deployed troops solicited through the CFC.

Official Duty Station of Deployed Troops

  • DoD Directive 5035-1 and DoD Instruction 5035-5 (available on the CFC website) explain that all DoD personnel assigned to and serving on official duty within the Combatant Commands overseas during the formal CFC Overseas period are, for solicitation and donation purposes, exclusively eligible to participate in the CFC Overseas campaign. The goal of this policy is to reduce the redundancy of our CFC operations, maximize the amount of funds distributed to charities and minimize confusion to donors and volunteers caused by the mixing of campaign materials and dual solicitations.
  • DoD notes that military personnel who have been deployed, regardless of the length of time, are officially assigned to the command to which they have been deployed. Therefore, units that are deployed during the campaign season can only be solicited by the campaign responsible for that particular area.

Exception:  The exception to this rule is when a Navy ship has been deployed but is still considered "homeported". In this instance, the local campaign should continue to solicit the troops.

Participation by Deployed Personnel in Local Campaigns

  • Provisions may be made to allow deployed personnel the opportunity to contribute to local charities. Commanders are to include in their pre-deployment financial preparations for personnel the option for a remaining spouse/family member to contribute to a local CFC charity on behalf of the deployed family member.

In addition, if personnel deployed overseas wish to contribute to an organization in their home community that is not included in the National/International List, CFC-Overseas staff will refer them to the appropriate PCFO for assistance.

If you require further information or have questions regarding the DoD policy, please contact Steve Kelly at 703/588-8177. For information on the Overseas CFC Operations please contact Melissa Kidder at 703/979-1410.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Address questions or comments to cfc@opm.gov

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