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Annual Campaign Seeks Support from Federal Workers
The Combined Federal Campaign, a model for inclusive workplace giving, plays an important role in helping support Red Cross programs and services.
By Arindam Mukherjee, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
Friday, October 12, 2007 — The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) was born in 1961 when President John F. Kennedy authorized the development of guidelines and regulations for fundraising in the federal service. Since then, the CFC has developed into one of the largest and most successful workplace fundraising models in the world.
Through the CFC, nearly 4 million federal employees and military personnel are able to contribute to the charities of their choice during the annual charity drive, which runs from September 1 through December 15 of each year.
The American Red Cross was one of the first charitable organizations to participate in the campaign. Over the years, generous donations made by federal civilian, postal, and military donors during the campaign season have supported the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross, helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
This year, the American Red Cross continues its long tradition of participating in the CFC. As the campaign moves forward this fall, several changes made within the CFC have affected all participating charities, including the Red Cross. Notably, American Red Cross National Headquarters has a new five-digit charity code (10266) for use by federal employees to designate their donation. Local Red Cross chapters have also received new codes, which can be found in the charity lists of the local CFCs around the country.
What is the CFC?
Through the Combined Federal Campaign, all federal employees, postal workers and military members have the opportunity to support their favorite charitable organization every year. These contributions can be made either by cash or check or can be automatically deducted from employees' paychecks.
The CFC is one of the most inclusive workplace giving campaigns in the world, with over 20,000 nonprofit charitable organizations participating worldwide. Last year, more than $270 million was donated to recognized charitable organizations through this campaign, with more than $6.6 million contributed to the American Red Cross national listing.
"The federal employees who have donated to the Red Cross through the Combined Federal Campaign are committed to making a difference through their support of our humanitarian mission," says Kristine Templin, director of corporate partnerships for the American Red Cross. "I would like to thank them for their generous support, which enables the Red Cross to touch millions of lives and bring help to people around the corner and across the nation."
Why the CFC?
The Combined Federal Campaign is not just a means for federal employees to provide vital support; it also serves as an excellent platform for donors to come face to face with the American Red Cross, providing them with an opportunity to learn how their support enables the Red Cross to make a difference in communities across the nation. Supporting the Red Cross helps people recover from disasters; empowers people with the skills and confidence they need to be ready for disasters and life's emergencies; provides emergency messages, referrals and related services to US service members, veterans and their families; and helps supply blood to people in need.
"I look forward to the campaign season each year because it gives me a chance to talk with people who have been helped by the Red Cross and who have supported the mission for years," says Paul Koch of the American Red Cross Pikes Peak Chapter in Colorado.
"The Red Cross can address people's concerns. We listen to their personal stories of being helped by the Red Cross and provide them with information that may one day help their families in an emergency," Koch says.
The campaign gives federal employees a chance to make a difference in the lives of millions of people through the Red Cross and other charities, helping their neighbors during their time of need.
Federal employees can support the Red Cross by designating to the national listing, 10266, or to their local Red Cross chapter.
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
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