President Kennedy established the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) in 1961 to eliminate year-round solicitation of federal employees at their job sites by charitable agencies. The mission of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.

As the world's largest and most successful annual workplace giving campaign, each year, more than 300 CFC campaigns throughout the country and internationally help to raise millions of dollars. Pledges made by federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world.

Read 2008 Letter from President George W. Bush

How Does The Combined Federal Campaign Work?

A Local Federal Coordinating Committee (LFCC) runs the Southeastern Michigan Area Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) with members from various federal agencies and employee groups representing your interests.

Each year, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in Washington, D.C., provides a list of charities and federations that qualify to participate in the CFC on a national basis. The LFCC adds the local charities and federations qualified to participate in the campaign to the list, based on an audit of their administrative costs, tax-exempt status and income sources.

These charities must receive more than 20 percent of their income from non-government sources. In addition, the LFCC reviews the quality, location and types of services provided.

The LFCC annually selects and supervises the Principal Combined Fund Organization (PCFO) to manage the campaign and approves the campaign budget, materials and schedule.  This committee selected United Way for Southeastern Michigan as its PCFO for this year’s campaign.

Why does the CFC work?

The CFC works because campaign administrative costs are minimized   Last year, administrative costs amounted to 9.5 percent of total donations, which is well below the nonprofit sector standard.

In addition, the CFC is accountable.  CFC donations are maintained in a separate bank account.  Following the campaign, the PCFO is audited to ensure that proper procedures are followed and that funds are distributed to the agencies and federations designated by YOU, the contributor.

And most of all, the CFC works because federal employees care.  Contributing to the CFC is the best way to demonstrate your concern because it supports hundreds of programs and services that help provide a safety net of services to those in real need.

Nevertheless, why should I care?

Within our nine-county area, we are still feeling the effects of economic restructuring, cutbacks in government assistance, increased homelessness, substance abuse and teen violence.  In addition, throughout the world, millions are victims of natural disasters, hunger, disease and war.  A contribution to the CFC is an effective and efficient way for you as a federal employee to impact many lives.

Will I be pressured?

It is your right to make a choice to contribute or not to contribute, and to designate as you wish.

The decision to participate in the CFC is yours alone.  If you feel any pressure or coercion in federal fundraising activities, please register a complaint.  Civilian employees should consult their personnel office, and military personnel should consult their commanding officer, to identify the organization handling such complaints in their respective federal agency.

In addition, you have the right to make your gift confidentially, in a sealed envelope that will be delivered unopened to the CFC headquarters.