Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do you have a question about the CFC-O? See if your question is answered below.

Do I have to give through the CFC?

No. Participation in the CFC is strictly voluntary.

Coercion is forbidden. You have the right not to be improperly influenced regarding your decision to give or not to give through the CFC. Prohibited practices include, but are not limited to: supervisors soliciting the employees they supervise; setting 100% participation goals, providing and using donor lists for purposes other than the routine collection and forwarding of contributions and installment pledges, establishing personal dollar goals and quotas, and developing and using lists of non-contributing employees.

If you prefer, you may donate to the CFC anonymously by placing your confidential gift in a sealed envelope.

Civilian employees may register complaints about coercion with the LFCC and contact their personnel offices; military personnel should contact their commanding officers.

Can I specify which organization will receive my contribution?

By designating where your CFC contribution will go, you ensure that your donation goes to meet the needs that you feel are most important. You may designate the organizations of your choice where indicated on your pledge form by entering the five-digit code and the amount you wish to pledge. Additional designations may be completed on a second pledge form. Except for documented expenses for the operation of the local CFCs and uncollected pledges, all contributions are distributed as designated.

You cannot designate to an organization that is not listed in this Charity List. Adding organizations not listed, or " write-ins", is prohibited by CFC regulations and donations to such organizations will be treated as undesignated funds. In addition, pledges made using anything other than the assigned five-digit codes cannot be honored and will be treated as undesignated funds.

What are affiliated and independent organizations and federations?

Affiliated organizations receive services from a Federation that supplies common fundraising, administrative, and management services to its member organizations. Charitable organizations participating in the CFC as a member of a federation may pay dues or fees to that federation as a service charge. Independent organizations are not members of a federation and participate in the CFC on their own.

For additional information on a particular federation and any dues/fees paid by its members, either contact the federation, its members, or review the federation's annual report.

How do I designate a federation, or alternatively, one of its members, to receive my contribution?

If you wish to designate all or some portion of your contribution to a federation, please record that federation's corresponding five-digit code number on your pledge form. The federation name will be listed at the top of the list of the federation's member organizations. Contributions designated to a federation will be shared in accordance with the federation's policy. If you wish to designate all or some portion of your contribution to an affiliated federation member organization, please record that organization's corresponding five-digit code number on your pledge form.

How do I designate an independent organization to receive my contribution?

You may wish to designate to an independent organization that is not affiliated with a Federation. Simply enter that organization's five-digit code number on your pledge form.

What if I choose not to specify an organization or federation to receive my CFC contribution?

All funds contributed to the CFC that are not designated to a specific organization or federation will be treated as undesignated funds and will be equally distributed among each overseas installation's Family Support and Youth Programs (FSYP) (up to six percent of gross campaign contributions) and then to all organizations in the CFC-O brochure in the same proportion as they received designations.

What is the payroll deduction option?

Payroll deduction makes it convenient for you to give by letting you spread your contribution across the entire year. Last year, more than 90% of all CFC funds raised were made through payroll deduction. Payments on payroll deduction pledges begin on the first pay period beginning in January and conclude with the last pay period beginning in December. There is no simpler way for you to make good things happen for so many people than to contribute using payroll deduction. Payroll deduction helps you care for your community and your world.

Will I receive a receipt for my contribution?

Donors should keep a copy of their pledge form, as well as their pay statements, as a receipt of their pledge. A Federal employee who makes a one-time (cash, check, or money order) contribution must maintain a bank record or a written communication from the local campaign showing the name of the organizations contributed to, the date of the contribution, and the amount of the contribution. Every effort will be made by the local campaign to provide a receipt to donors, but it is the responsibility of the donor to request such a receipt from the local campaign. Donors that do not receive a receipt should contact the local campaign to obtain one. Local campaigns can be found using the Campaign Locater search feature on the CFC website at http://www.opm.gov/cfc/Search/Locator.asp. Donors should consult a tax adviser to determine if additional verification of the donation is required by the IRS.

What are the costs of the campaign?

Historically, campaign costs nationwide have averaged ten percent. These funds were spent on printing materials, training volunteers, auditing contributions, and other administrative expenses. All local campaign costs are reviewed and approved by the LFCC governing the local campaign. On average, this cost is low compared with other fundraising campaigns; therefore, every dollar you pledge goes a very long way toward helping others.

What is On-line Pledging or e-Giving?

In 2009, the CFC-O has two programs related to electronic giving.

Credit card and Debit card giving requires internet access and the use of a personal credit or debit card to contribute. There is a limit of 2% of base salary on credit or debit card giving. Contributions can be made as a one-time gift or made over 12 monthly installments. Go to www.cfcoverseas.org and select the Search & Pledge option. Follow the online instructions to complete your contribution.

Online Pledge Assistant requires internet access and allows a donor to complete their pledge card online. Once the card is completed, it must be printed and processed through normal CFC-O volunteer channels. Go to www.cfcoverseas.org and select the Search & Pledge option. Follow the instruction to complete your contribution.

How do charities get listed in the CFC-O charity listing? Who decides?

Any nationally or internationally qualified charity recognized by the Internal Revenue Service may apply for inclusion in the CFC-O. OPM approves applicant charities. To be accepted, the charity must document that it meets strict public accountability standards.

Who can contribute to CFC-O?

All U.S. Government personnel serving overseas, military or civilian, may participate in the campaign. DoD contractors and foreign nationals employed by the U.S. may give also.

Is there a minimum or maximum payroll deduction gift one can donate through CFC-O?

The minimum gift for military personnel and civilians is $1 per pay period. There is no maximum gift. All gifts are welcome.

Why should contributors make charitable gifts through the CFC-O when they could just send a check directly to charities they support?

Contributors could write a check and mail it directly to a charity, but most of us wait to be asked before we give. Contributors might respond to a mail solicitation, for example, but maybe not the first one. Maybe a second or third mailing would get their attention. CFC-O consolidates all of these individual and costly solicitations into one campaign once a year resulting in lower solicitation costs for the charities.

Accounting costs are also much lower because gifts are consolidated into monthly checks. Imagine the accounting overhead if all of these gifts were processed one-by-one each month.

Bottom line: CFC-O costs are lower than any other form of charitable solicitation. The CFC-O is the most cost-effective way to donate to a charity.

What is the latest on solicitation of retirees? Can a retiree who wants to give do so through payroll deduction?

At this time, a federal retiree may make a one-time contribution to the CFC by cash or check. However, retirees cannot be solicited but are to be provided with the opportunity to give should they wish to do so.

How can contributors support local installation Family Support and Youth Programs (FSYP)?

By choosing "FSYP" on a pledge card, the funds are returned to the installation of origin to be used for Family Support and Youth Programs. In 2008, $701,655 was returned to overseas military communities to support these programs. By regulation, undesignated gifts up to six percent of total campaign revenues are used to support FSYP. Each branch of service processes these gifts differently. Check with your command to determine how these funds are used locally.

Will local currency be accepted?

Yes, foreign national money can be given. However, the Keyperson or CAPO then has to convert it to U.S. dollars in the form of a money order before sending it to the CFC-O. U.S. citizens can write a check or (in most cases) use payroll deduction. Payroll deduction is a fast, efficient way to support your charities of choice.

There may be an organization in the Charity Listing that a contributor chooses not to support. How can a contributor ensure their gift goes to their charity of choice?

Simply use the five digit charity code of the organization on the pledge card. If an organization does not receive any designated gifts, it receives no funds from the CFC-O.

A contributor has been giving to the CFC-O for years, why must he/she complete a pledge card each year?

Regulations require that a contributor designate their charitable gifts yearly. Sometimes a contributor wants to change his/her charity of choice or wants to adjust the amount given.

Is it possible to make the Charity Listing available electronically?

All CFCs are encouraged to provide the charity listing electronically as a compliment to the hard copy which is produced and distributed to all federal employees annually. The 2009 CFC-O Charity Listing will be available at www.cfcoverseas.org.

What is the latest on online giving? Can contributors give online?

The CFC-O offers a truly automated giving option through our credit card and debit card transactions giving program. We also offer online pledge assistance in which a donor fills out an electronic Pledge Card and then prints and processes it through their standard CFC-O volunteer channels. For details, go to www.cfcoverseas.org.

More Information at OPM.gov

For more information about the CFC, including details on the public accountability standards for participating charities, how to contact your local CFC campaign, and more, visit the CFC Home Page at www.opm.gov/cfc.