OPM Launches Annual Charity Fundraiser
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is launching their annual charity fundraiser, the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), which will run from September 21, 2020 to January 15, 2021. CFC is the largest annual workplace charity campaign, involving over 200 domestic and international charity campaigns that raise millions of dollars every year. The program gives federal employees the opportunity to give back to their communities.
An OPM memo to agencies on August 20, 2020 details how last year, federal employees pledged more than $86.4 million to thousands of different charitable causes on local, regional, and international levels.
The memo, addressed to the heads of executive departments and agencies, instructs federal officials in leadership roles to encourage their employees to participate in the CFC through monetary contributions or volunteer time.
Acting OPM Director Michael Rigas elaborated in the memo, “With your help, we can assure those campaign workers in your organization reach every federal employee to let them know how they can make a monetary contribution and pledge volunteer time to support organizations that help people in need. This is important since employees are more likely to participate in the program if they are asked.”
Employees are also encouraged to become CFC leaders and serve on the Local Federal Coordinating Committee (LFCC). Taking on a CFC leadership role is a way to build professional skills, bridge the gap between the public and private sectors, and improve financial accountability for employees. Especially for those hoping to advance to senior level positions, becoming a CFC leader can expand an employee’s skill set and better equip them for higher level positions.
Employees can make donations through OPM’s national CFC Online Donation System, a non-electronic paper pledge form, or the CFC donation app, which provides employees with various avenues to help charities.
Offices are encouraged to host CFC bake sales and other events to raise awareness for the program.
