Frequently
Asked Questions
WHY NOT GIVE TO CHARITY DIRECTLY?
- Economy and simplicity for charity to process single contributions.
- Consistent monthly income allows charity to plan annual budget. Helps even out the usual seasonal peaks and valleys in income. Annual budgets help a charity use their money more efficiently.
- Lowers charity’s overhead costs (i.e., less processing and fund raising time/costs (mailings, administrative). Utilizes CFC’s low about 12% overhead to increase a charity’s revenue.
- Painless deduction at each pay period vs. large lump sum for a single pay period.
- Consolidation of individual Federal employee gifts can leverage dollars for matching grant funds.
- Enhance Federal employees’ community image.
- Enhance self-pride as a generous Federal employee.
- Personal recognition for you as CFC contributor.
- You personally designate which charities receive your contribution.
- Approximately 2,000 choices of widely diverse services and programs.
HOW DO I KNOW MY CHOSEN CHARITIES REALLY RECEIVE MY MONEY?
- Charities usually write to thank you when “Release of Name” is completed.
- Annual audits conducted by Local Federal Coordinating Committee, a Certified Public Accountant, and the Office of Personal Management to ensure contributions are collected and distributed accurately and that campaign expenses are justified and in accordance with federal regulations.
- CFC requires audit of all recipient charities before acceptance.
- Audit results available through CFC.
IF I DESIGNATE MY GIFT TO A CERTAIN AGENCY, DOES THAT REDUCE THEIR GENERAL FUNDS BY THAT AMOUNT?
- No. Designated and undesignated funds are distributed separately.
- One does not impact the other.
- More than 88% of CFC donations are designated to either:
SPECIFIC AGENCIES or FEDERATIONS “UNBRELLA OGANIZATIONS”
WHY SHOULD I CONTRIBUTE TO CFC WHEN I DON’T USE THEIR SERVICES?
- CFC organizations touch all of our lives everyday through Human Services and Environmental causes such as first aid and CPR classes…swim lessons…fitness programs…job training & literacy programs…stop smoking classes…cancer research…clean water/air…animal protection…hunger prevention…
- Your support represents an insurance policy that agencies will be there when/should you have a need.
- Experience teaches that any of us may be just one misfortune away from needing a CFC agency’s help.
WHY ARE THESE PARTICULAR CHARITIES LISTED IN THE CAMPAIGN BROCHURE?
- Charities must apply annually to be listed.
- Recipient charities must apply and pass stringent eligibility tests.
- IRS 501(c) 3 status as not-for-profit, voluntary organization
- Eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions
- An active volunteer board of directors
- Overhead costs not to exceed 25% of revenue. An exception is granted if circumstances are justifiable
- Annual report is available to the public
- Financial Audit reports are viewed
- Local Applicants must have “local presence” which includes office/facility open minimum 15 hours per week, and located in Pierce, Thurston or Lewis counties or adjacent counties.
- Those denied eligibility may appeal to local committee or the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) possible inclusion.
WHY SHOULD I SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS OF WHICH I DISAPPROVE?
- CFC includes approximately 2,000 (varies each year) diverse organizations.
- It is a donor choice campaign. You decide where your money goes.
CFC ADMINISTRTIVE COSTS ARE TOO HIGH!
- Contrary to what most people believe, CFC fund raising expenses have been about 10 cents on each dollar received. This is lower than almost any charity. This mainly provides campaign materials and fund raising services. There is one professional staff and significant support from the accounting department, marketing department, and clerical area.
- CFC utilizes Federal employee volunteers to run the campaign.
- Guaranteed efficient use of your donations. CFC participating charities must maintain administrative costs below 25%. Above 25% requires additional annual review of extenuating circumstances.
- CFC is the most efficient way to raise large amounts of money at very small cost and assures maximum possible funding goes directly to charitable programs, not administrative costs.
ISN’T CFC JUST UNITED WAY WITH A DIFFERENT NAME?
- No. The CFC is a separate campaign running concurrently with the United Way and State Employee campaigns.
- CFC contracts with United Way for fiscal management, training and administrative support.
WHY AM I BEING SOLICITED IN THE WORKPLACE FOR A CAMPAIGN THAT IS NOT OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT BUSINESS?
- CFC is an official government activity… Supervised by officials chosen by Local Federal Coordinating Committee… Authorized by OPM regulations.
- Federal employees who serve as Loaned Executives staff CFC. Loaned by their employing agencies for a four-month period.
IN THE PAST, I HAVE SOMETIMES FELT PRESSURED TO GIVE.
- CFC itself does not advocate high-pressure solicitation.
- Federal regulations prohibit coercion and solicitation by supervisors.
- Employees donate to express their support for charities of their choice.
CFC EMPHASIZES AN APPROACH OF “100% Quality Contact”.
WILL MY CONTRIBUTION REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
- Absolutely!
- Each of us as individuals contributes the building blocks to reach the Pierce, Thurston, Lewis County CFC goal of raising funds for charity.
- CFC is large, well organized, and a “low overhead cost fundraiser” for recipient charities.
WHY CONTRIBUTE THROUGH PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS?
- Payroll deduction makes it convenient for you to give by letting you spread your contribution across the entire year.
- Because there is no simpler way for you to make good things happen for so many people, payroll deduction helps you care for your community and your world.
- You can take pride in knowing you are part of a larger team of federal employees that are making our world a better place to live and work.
- Last year, more than 81% of all CFC funds raised through our local campaign were given through payroll deduction.
- Payments on payroll deduction pledges begin on the first pay period in January
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