Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has issued final rules that modernize the Combined Federal Campaign, including the removal of geographic barriers to employee giving during disasters and emergencies.

The rules, published in yesterday's Federal Register, streamline comprehensive eligibility criteria and public accountability standards on organizations wishing to participate in the CFC, as well as promote the use of technology to enable online pledging. They also make private foundations ineligible for CFC participation.

OPM's rules allow employees to make financial contributions to organizations outside their local areas during disasters and emergencies; additionally, charities with administrative and fundraising expenses in excess of 25 percent of total budget may participate in the CFC, but will have to publicize these expenses in campaign listings.

"Federal employees, postal workers and members of our military services have provided enormous support to thousands of charities that participate in the annual campaign," said OPM Director Linda M. Springer. "With these rules, we are ensuring the future success of a program that was established in 1961, while further reinforcing the confidence of donors who want to know their contributions are being properly used."

Administered by OPM, the CFC is the nation's largest employer-sponsored charity drive. Since its inception, the program has received donations in excess of $5.5 billion from the federal community.

"We will continue to provide federal donors with assurances the charities that participate in the CFC have met the eligibility criteria and are fiscally accountable," said Springer. "I am confident we will have a stronger CFC as a result of this process, and set the campaign on a solid course toward modernization."