Washington, D.C. - Federal civilian employees, postal workers and military personnel pledged a record-setting $268.5 million in 2005 to the Combined Federal Campaign, administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The $268.5 million in pledges to the CFC last year represents an $11 million increase over the $257 million pledged in 2004.

Last year's pledge total for the nation's largest, employer-sponsored charity drive marks the third consecutive year the federal community has filled CFC coffers to new levels. Pledges to charities in the CFC of the National Capital Area (metropolitan Washington, D.C.) totaled $57.6 million.

"The men and women of the U.S. civil service and America's military have once again shown their generosity to those less fortunate," said OPM Director Linda M. Springer. "In a year dominated by tragic, natural disasters at home, and challenges to establishing peace and democracy abroad, I am pleased by the response of the federal workforce and the military."

The 4.5 percent increase in pledges in 2005 is the highest percentage increase since 2001, when pledges jumped 7.3 percent following the terrorist attacks in the United States.

"Despite the added needs of the past year, the federal community rallied to provide significant and important aid through the CFC to those whose ties to their communities were temporarily lost," said Springer. "The monies donated through this wonderful program will be used to reunite families and friends, rebuild communities and neighborhoods, and reinforce the relationship between government and people."

Started in 1961, the Combined Federal Campaign is the nation's largest workplace charity drive and the only philanthropic effort permitted by law in the federal workplace. Since its inception, the CFC has raised more than $5.5 billion.

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