CFC History and Rationale

The tradition of commitment to the community through the selfless efforts of federal employees has its roots in the many charitable campaigns of the early 1960s. Seeing a need to bring the diversity of fundraising efforts under a single umbrella, federal employees created the CFC - one campaign, once a year. By allowing employees to select from a single guide and to make their contributions through payroll deductions, the CFC opened wide the door to more opportunities for generous giving to literally hundreds of worthy causes. An Executive Order by the Kennedy Administration in 1961 made the CFC a reality, and turned an innovative idea into a uniquely effective way for federal employees to help those in need across our communities and throughout the world.

The CFC is the only authorized solicitation of employees in the federal workplace on behalf of charitable organizations. It continues to be the largest and most successful workplace fundraising model in the world. There are about 226 CFC regions nationally, reaching civilian, postal and military employees. Regulation and administration of the CFC nationally is conducted by the Office of CFC Operations in Washington, D.C.

Nationally, in 2010 CFC contributions totaled $281.5 million, the second most ever raised in CFC history and less than half a percent below the record of 2009.

Please visit the National CFC web site hosted by the Operations of Personnel Management for more information regarding regulations, donor and charity information - http://www.opm.gov/cfc/