FAQ

Use this list of commonly asked questions and answers to help you. Still didn't find what you were looking for? Contact your Keyworker for additional support. If your problem is related to the website or experiences with e-Giving, please contact CFCNCA Customer Support via e-mail or call 202-465-7230.

Campaign FAQs

Charity FAQs

Pledging FAQs

Pledge Area FAQs

Campaign Answers

What is the Combined Federal Campaign?
The Combined Federal Campaign is the only authorized workplace charitable giving drive for employees in the Federal workplace. CFCNCA is the local campaign for Federal employees in the Washington Metropolitan Area and is the largest workplace giving campaign in the world. Through the collective contributions of nearly 150,000 civilian and military Federal employees, the campaign generated more than $67 million in pledges for participating local, national and international charities in 2010. Federal employees in our region seek to generate $67.2 during the 2011 campaign. [Top]
What is the purpose of the CFC?
The purpose of the CFC is to support and promote 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. [Top]
Why have a CFC? The annual fundraising campaign helps support a variety of health, human, and other services provided by local, national, and international charitable agencies. This single campaign is one of the most cost-efficient fundraising methods available. It succeeds because volunteers from the Federal workforce combine their resources for one coordinated appeal. [Top]
How important is the CFCNCA Campaign?
The CFCNCA is the largest regional program in the entire CFC system and the largest workplace giving campaign in the world. Thousands of charities in Washington, throughout America, and around the world depend upon your generosity for their very existence. Last year, you and your coworkers gave more than $67 million to charitable agencies. These charities provide services to every part of our community, and touch every one of our lives. Funding from the CFCNCA is one of the most important sources of revenue for these charities, since your pledges provide a steady income stream throughout the year that helps keep their core programs operating. In short, you have the power to to touch lives in our neighborhoods, across the country and around the world.[Top]
Who runs the CFC of the National Capital Area?
You do! The CFCNCA is operated by a committee of Federal volunteers, called the Local Federal Coordinating Committee, or LFCC. The LFCC assures that the campaign is managed according to the regulations from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The LFCC selects a not-for-profit organization called the PCFO to help operate the campaign through a competitive bid process. The LFCC selected Global Impact, the organization that has been the PCFO of the CFC-Overseas since 1996, to operate the CFCNCA. But the PCFO is only a small part of CFCNCA operations. Most campaign administration is carried out by volunteer Federal employees- Keyworkers, Campaign Mangers and Loaned Executives. These individuals are the core of the campaign- please thank them for their willingness to serve! [Top]
What are the administrative costs for the CFCNCA this year?
The final fundraising administrative cost percentage for 2010 was 7 percent. [Top]
What is unique about Global Impact's management of the CFCNCA?
Global Impact has a successful track record of managing these important campaigns over the past 8 years. Each year, we strive to improve the giving process by enhancing the tools and resources available to you. These enhancements are designed to provide you with more choices and a positive experience.

Global Impact provides e-Giving and online charity search to make it easier and more efficient to donate. These powerful online tools allow you the choice to either fill out your CFCNCA pledge card online and submit it to your Keyworker, or use the paperless e-Giving option for credit/debit card and electronic check transactions. If needed, help is available from CFCNCA Customer Support via e-mail or at 202-465-7230.

We use sophisticated campaign management tools to track, report, and process the campaign faster and more efficiently. A campaign "toolbox" on the Internet brings stories, photos, publications and more resources to the fingertips of campaign managers at more than 160 major accounts in all three branches of the Federal government. [Top]
What is the CFC policy on coercion?
Giving through the CFC is completely voluntary and we oppose coercion in any form. Our objective is to assure that all Federal employees in this area have the opportunity to make informed decisions on whether to give and how to give. Only you can determine whether to give and how much you or your family can afford to donate to charity. If you feel you are being coerced into giving, you have the right to file a report using the channels outlined in the 2011 Catalog of Caring. The LFCC and CFCNCA do not condone coercion under any circumstances. If you experience coercion, please report it. [Top]
How efficient is the CFCNCA?
Through the outstanding oversight efforts of the Federal employees on the LFCC, a committee composed of Federal volunteers, less than eight percent of the funds raised are spent on campaign expenses such as printing materials, training volunteers, and auditing contributions. Because this cost is so low compared with other fundraising campaigns, every dollar you pledge goes a very long way toward helping others. By combining donations, administration costs are cut and the value of each pledge is maximized. Additionally, the online tools help reduce the administrative costs and increase efficiencies even more. [Top]
Why should I make charitable contributions through the CFCNCA when I could just send a check directly to charities I wish to support?
Although you could write a check and mail it directly to a charity, CFCNCA reduces the need for individual and costly solicitations from charities by combining this into one campaign, once a year. Accounting costs are much lower because charitable gifts are consolidated into monthly checks to the charity, thereby reducing the accounting overhead of them processing these donations one-by-one each month.

Reducing costs through this collective effort ensures more of your pledge goes directly and quickly to the good work of the charity. [Top]
What is the role of a federation?
A federation is an organization that provides administrative, marketing, and operational support for a group of individual charities. For these services, the member charities typically pay a small fee (often a percentage of their receipts) for the services provided by the federation. Many individual charities believe that this is more cost-effective than doing these tasks internally. [Top]
How do Federal agencies benefit from participation in the CFCNCA?
As a Federal employee, your spirit of public service empowers you to make the world a better place. By combining donations from all agencies, you become part of a powerful collective effort that gives back to the community. Participation in the CFCNCA enhances the visibility of Federal employees and the agencies for which they work.

Participation in the CFCNCA also ensures that services will be available to Federal employees when their own personal situations arise. The campaign affects everyone, including the lives of Federal agency employees. [Top]
What are some ways that Federal agencies support the CFCNCA?
Federal agencies in the National Capital Area appoint a volunteer to serve as Campaign Chair, Vice Chair, and Campaign Manager to lead their agency's campaign effort. The Campaign Manager recruits a Campaign Committee, Team Captains, and Keyworkers to help implement campaign plans. Many Federal agencies also provide the CFCNCA with Loaned Executives (Federal employees on detail) to work with other agencies in planning their campaigns. These volunteers work hard to make events like kickoffs, employee meetings, agency tours, and special CFCNCA communications succeed. [Top]
If I don't work in the National Capital Area, how do I contact the CFC in my area?
Locate information about your local CFC at the Office of Personnel Management Website. Please Note: Do not use the information or charitable codes found on the CFCNCA website to fill out your pledge card if you don't work in the National Capital Area. [Top]
Can I get help from a CFCNCA-approved campaign participant?
Yes. The services of CFCNCA participating organizations are available to anyone who needs them, including Federal employees. Please contact the appropriate organization directly to find out more about their services. [Top]
Who is responsible for financial accountability?
Everyone at the CFCNCA shares this responsibility, including volunteers, staff, the PCFO that operates the campaign, the LFCC that manages and directs the campaign, and the CFC staff at OPM. The campaign is audited on a yearly basis by the Office of Personnel Management, and the LFCC is actively involved in overseeing the fiscal practices of the campaign. The primary day-to-day responsibility for the campaign lies with Global Impact, the not-for-profit organization selected by the LFCC to operate the campaign this year. Global Impact has a history of clean audits in its operations of the Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas, and is working closely with the LFCC to ensure transparency and accountability in the collection and distribution of every dollar raised. [Top]
Is the CFCNCA covered by Federal regulations?
Yes, all CFC campaigns operate under regulations issued by the Office of Personnel Management. The regulations are designed to give Federal employees who wish to help others through the CFC a chance to participate, without putting inappropriate pressure on individuals who do not wish to do so. In addition, the regulations define the process by which charitable organizations may participate in the CFC, and the duties and responsibilities of the LFCC and PCFO. More information is available at OPM's CFC website. [Top]
How much was raised last year?
In 2010, the CFCNA community raised a record-breaking $67 million. [Top]

Charity Answers

How do I know that my gift gets to the charity I designate?
You have the option of asking that charity to acknowledge your gift. Check the appropriate box on your pledge card or online pledge and your name will be released to the charity. Next spring, they may (at their own discretion) contact you to acknowledge that gift. [Top]
Why isn't my favorite charity in the book?
Participation in the CFC is determined by either a local or national application process. Charities must apply in order to be included, so your favorite charity either has not applied or did not qualify. We suggest that you encourage your favorite charity to apply next year. Check the OPM website for the national procedures or this website for local procedures. The application period for the CFCNCA takes place from January through May. [Top]
If I don't designate a charity, what happens to my donation?
All "undesignated" donations are combined and then shared proportionally among all charities and federations that received designations.

It is important to select and designate charities to ensure your gift goes where you want it to go. It's easy- use the Online Charity Search tool to search and find charities that match your interests. It allows searching by keyword, location, and other important choices to help you find charities efficiently. [Top]
Will the charity get more money if I give directly?
Not usually. In almost all cases, charities in the CFC have much higher fundraising costs on their own than they experience when they are part of a federated campaign like CFCNCA. People give more than three to four times as much through payroll deduction than they do when making a direct cash gift. [Top]
How do donations get to charities?
Donations are distributed to charities by the PCFO following the close of the campaign, starting in March, 2012. Donations made by check and cash and one-time credit/debit transactions on the e-Giving site are distributed once the audit of those funds is complete. Donations by payroll deduction and recurring credit/debit transactions from the e-Giving site are distributed monthly after deducted funds have been received by Federal government from payroll centers or the credit card site. [Top]
Why should I make charitable contributions through the CFCNCA when I could just send a check directly to charities I wish to support?
Although you could write a check and mail it directly to a charity, CFCNCA reduces the need for individual and costly solicitations from charities by combining this into one campaign, once a year. Accounting costs are much lower because charitable gifts are consolidated into monthly checks to the charity, thereby reducing the accounting overhead of them processing these donations one-by-one each month.

Reducing costs through this collective effort ensures more of your pledge goes directly and quickly to the good work of the charity. [Top]
How do I know the charities participating in the CFC are legitimate?
Federal employees in the National Capital Area volunteer to serve on the Technical Advisory Committee that evaluates each charity applying to become eligible to receive designations from local CFCNCA contributors. Each local charitable agency must meet the following requirements, as defined in Federal law and OPM rules and regulations. [Top]

Pledging Answers

How do I give to the CFCNCA?
You not only have the option to give electronically (filling out and printing an online Pledge Form), but can contribute via credit/debit card and e-Check electronic bank transactions in a paperless e-Giving process. You can also continue to donate by filling out the traditional paper Pledge Form. Payroll deduction is still a great choice if you choose to use either the online or hard copy pledge form. Your first step is to review the list of charities and select the ones that you would like to receive your gift. It's all about choice - you decide where the money goes and you select the giving method that works best for you. [Top]
Do I have to make a pledge?
The CFCNCA is committed to giving every Federal employee in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area an informed opportunity to participate in the campaign. However, participation is strictly optional, and any effort to coerce an employee to take part in any CFCNCA when he or she does not wish to do so is prohibited by regulation. [Top]
Is there a minimum or maximum payroll deduction gift one can donate through the CFC?
The minimum gift for military and civilian personnel is $1 per pay period. There is no maximum gift. All gifts are welcome. [Top]
How much should I give?
It's your decision — give what meets your budget and will make the most impact. [Top]
When will my payroll deduction begin?
Your payroll deductions will begin on the first pay period in January and continue for the remainder of the year. [Top]
How do donations get to charities?
Donations are distributed to charities by the PCFO following the close of the campaign, starting in March, 2012. Donations made by check and cash and one-time credit/debit transactions via e-Giving are distributed once the audit of those funds is complete. Donations by payroll deduction and recurring credit/debit transactions from the e-Giving site are distributed monthly after deducted funds have been received by Federal government from payroll centers or the credit card site.

In all cases, the amount distributed to a charity is based on how much was designated to that charity by Federal employees. If no one chooses a particular charity, it will not receive any funding. Charities choose whether to receive their CFCNCA donations directly, or through a federation. Many charities choose to join a federation, which allows them to share the expense and administrative burden of applying and participating in campaigns like the CFCNCA with other charities. Federation membership is voluntary. Federations are not-for-profit organizations that are funded by their member organizations in a variety ways. Payments to charities in a federation are made through the federation, which then distributes them to each member charity based upon the designations by Federal employees. Unaffiliated charities do not belong to a federation, and apply individually to take part in the CFCNCA. All costs associated with applying and participating in the campaign are part of an unaffiliated charity's overhead, instead of being handled by a federation. Payments to unaffiliated charities are made directly by the PCFO based on designations by Federal employees. [Top]
Do I get a receipt?
Yes, everyone gets a receipt but the format depends on the donation method you choose. If you use the traditional paper Pledge Form, please retain the last page for your records. If you give online via the online Pledge Form, you must print out the form, turn in the Payroll and Audit copies to your Keyworker and then you keep the last page (Receipt Copy) for your record. If you elect the e-Giving paperless option for credit, debit and e-Check transactions, you will receive an e-mail with confirmation of your gift and have the option to print a receipt. [Top]
When do I need verification of my donation for tax purposes?
The Internal Revenue Service requires taxpayers who itemize charitable deductions to provide proper documentation for all charitable contributions, regardless of amount. You must have a receipt for cash, check or payroll deductions to claim them as tax deductions. If you use the traditional paper Pledge Form, please retain the last page for your records. If you give via the online Pledge Form, print out the form and keep the last page (Receipt Copy) for your records. If you elect the e-Giving paperless option for credit/debit card and e-Check electronic bank transactions, you will receive an e-mail with confirmation of your gift and have the option to print a receipt. [Top]
If I give by check, who should I make the check out to?
CFCNCA [Top]
Does the CFCNCA incur a credit card processing charge when donors use e-Giving?
CFCNCA does incur a processing and transaction charge from the credit card company but this cost is nominal when compared to the cost of handling a paper pledge. [Top]
How can I cancel my payroll deduction pledge after it has started?
Only your home agency payroll office can cancel a payroll deduction pledge after it has begun. Please contact the appropriate office and give them instructions in writing about your desire to cancel your pledge. [Top]

Pledge Area Answers

Who can participate in the CFCNCA? [Top]
Only Federal employees with an official duty station in this geographic region can give through CFCNCA.
The geographic boundaries as established by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for the CFCNCA include: the Greater Washington, DC Metropolitan Area; Prince George's, Montgomery, Calvert and Charles Counties in Maryland; Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties, in Virginia. The Virginia counties include all separately incorporated cities within the counties such as Manassas in Prince William County. Only Federal employee contributions from within the geographical boundaries of the CFCNCA are accepted and disbursed.
Can I give to a local charity listed in a different CFC region? [Top]
No. The CFCNCA does not accept out-of-area pledges. Any funds designated to a local charity from another campaign will be reclassified as undesignated funds.
What is the Federal Regulation that determines this?
Federal rules govern the solicitation of pledges for charities participating in the CFCNCA. According to 5 CFR § 950.103(h):
A Federal employee whose official duty station is outside the geographic boundaries of an established CFC may not be solicited in that CFC. A Federal employee may participate in a particular CFC only if that employee's official duty station is located within the geographic boundaries of that CFC. This restriction may be discontinued upon implementation of appropriate electronic technology that allows removal of the need for geographic restrictions on giving as determined by the Director. [Top]
What is an official duty station?
An employee’s official or permanent duty station is a matter of fact and not merely one of administrative designation. This location is determined by the information on an employee’s SF-50. Most of the time, this is the location where the employee expects and is expected to spend the greater part of his or her work day, but there are exceptions for several agencies. Please note that the official duty station is not necessarily the same as where their payroll is processed. [Top]
If I am not from the CFCNCA area, how do I find my local campaign?
Federal employees can determine their appropriate CFC by visiting OPM's CFC website selecting the State where their official duty station is located. Each local campaign contains national and international charitable organizations, as well as local charitable organizations which in most cases operate exclusively within that campaign area. [Top]

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