OPM “Proposed” Changes to the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)

and Your Local Federal Coordinating Committee's (LFCC) Response

The CFC was established by Executive Order in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy and has been reaffirmed by every administration since.  The CFC’s objectives are:

 “…to lessen the burdens of government and of local communities in meeting needs of human health and welfare; [and] to provide a convenient channel through which Federal public servants may contribute to these efforts.”

In 2011, in celebration of the CFC’s 50^th Anniversary, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) established the CFC50 Commission to develop recommendations that would ensure the continued growth and success of the CFC.

On April 8, 2013, OPM published “proposed” changes to the CFC regulations.  They are open for public comment until June 7, 2013.  The link to provide your comments:

http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=OPM-2013-0006-0001

While the recommendations made by the CFC50 Commission are promising, any positive impacts that might have been the result will be overshadowed by recommendations made by OPM that we believe will dramatically decrease Federal employee participation and support and result in fewer charities being able to participate in the campaign.

The ongoing success of the CFC is critical to the more than 26,000 local, national and international charities that rely on the generosity of Federal employees.  Significant decreases in CFC donations will immediately impact the ability of charitable organizations to provide services to all, including Federal employees and their families.  Fewer services and assistance in our communities by charitable organizations will, ultimately, place a burden on the Federal government at a time when it is working diligently to cut the budget.

The CFC is the largest and most successful workplace giving campaign in the world.  For more than 50 years, the CFC has been a model of success.  In 2012, more than $258 million was raised for charities, and the campaign has raised multiple billions of dollars since its inception.  Yet, despite this success, OPM is proposing changes that would, essentially, decimate the CFC.

Our major concerns with OPM’s “proposed” changes fall into four primary areas:

1. Loss of Local Governance and “Ownership” of the Campaign
2. Elimination of Current Giving Options (Paper Pledges, including Cash and Check)
3. Administrative Burden and Risk for Charities (Fees for Charities)
4. Lack of Details and Timelines for Proposed Changes

While we recognize that some changes are necessary, we believe changes can be introduced and accomplished by working cooperatively with OPM.  We believe that a fresh dialogue with OPM will ensure any changes in the current regulations will not only promote efficiency but will also result in greater charitable giving, increased employee participation, and will expand upon the success of the Combined Federal Campaign.

Our purpose is to bring these “proposed” changes to your attention and to seek your assistance in halting them. 

Visit our Facebook page to let us know what you thing about the changes and please "LIKE" us while you're there.  The following is a link to that page:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/CombinedFederalCampaignWeighingInOnChangingRules?fref=ts

2013 Local Eligibility / Application Process (LE/AP)

for Federations and Independent Organizations -

CLOSED FOR THE 2013 CAMPAIGN

2012 CFC GOAL ACHIEVED

THANK YOU FEDERAL DONORS

By the end of the day on Friday, January 4, the RI and SEMA Combined Federal Campaign reached its 2012 goal of $1 million.

Once again, federal employees clearly demonstrate that they are a caring and compassionate group who are committed to helping those who need their help.

Thank You!

Thanks to the generous donations received from the Combined Federal Campaign...

CFC-participating charitable organizations are able to help thousands of abused and neglected children and their families each year.

CFC-participating charitable organizations are able to help hundreds of thousands of animals through their programs and services in adoption, spay/neuter, law enforcement, and veterinary medicine.

CFC-participating charitable health organizations can offer help and hope to men, women and children around the world who suffer from a life-threatening illness.

CFC-participating charitable organizations can work on local, regional, national and international levels to: combat climate change, protect from environmental health hazards, protect wildfire habitat, eliminate pollution from air, water, and land, preserve natural resources, and educate about environmental issues worldwide.

CFC-participating charitable organizations are able to offer permanent supportive housing so formerly homeless familes have a place to call home.

CFC-participating charitable organizations are able to provide help for thousands of the world’s most vulnerable citizens.

CFC-participating charitable organizations are able to serve the needs of our disabled military veterans and their families by providing a range of services including shelter, counseling, training and job assistance.

CFC-participating charitable organizations are thankful for the support they receive

from the thousands of Federal employees around the world

whose generosity makes it possible for them to

continue providing desperately needed services for those in need.