The annual Combined Federal Campaign is in full swing, and it’s now easier than ever to donate to the charities of one’s choice. The 2020 campaign began Oct. 5, 2020, and will conclude Jan. 15, 2021.
The CFC is the only authorized solicitation of employees in the federal workplace on behalf of charitable organizations. Its mission is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, and cost efficient and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all, according to the Office of Personnel Management, which manages the campaign.
“This annual campaign is a fast, convenient and easy way to donate to charities you care about,” said Col. Julie Balten, commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District. “CFC online is a contactless pledge option that takes only a few minutes to complete.”
The CFC goal for USACE-Los Angeles is to ensure all of its employees are provided the campaign information and how to contribute, if they choose to do so.
The CFC today is known to be the most inclusive workplace-giving campaign in the world with the number of participating charities estimated at more than 20,000, according to the OPM website. Charities supported through the CFC range from community groups to large, well-known charities. Pledges made by federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season will support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world.
“This is just a friendly reminder that CFC is still for District members to give to a cause that you believe in,” said Jerika Ferguson, associate director for the Southern California CFC, Office of Personnel Management.
Fundraising for charitable organizations in the federal workplace can be traced back to the 1940s; however, formal authority to permit fundraising in the federal workplace was not established until 1961. Since then, CFC has raised more than $8 billion for charities. Today, it is the largest workplace-giving campaign in the U.S.
Donations can be made by visiting the CFC website at cfcgiving.opm.gov.
The benefits of using the website are donors no longer have to fill out a paper form to be turned in or mail a check; it’s safe, and those contributing can do it from the convenience of his or her home, Ferguson said, adding she encourages people to visit the website and find something they passionately support.
Monetary donations aren’t the only way District employees can contribute to CFC; donors also can pledge volunteer hours to the charity of their choice.
“Just make sure when you are filling out your pledge to use your office location zip code, that way, the Corps’ Los Angeles District can track its CFC progress,” Ferguson said.
For more information about the CFC, contact the LA District Public Affairs Office at (213) 452-3925 or email PublicAffairs.SPL@usace.army.mil; or contact Ferguson at (213) 205-2277, Ext. 805, or email jerika.ferguson@southerncalcfc.org.