Washington, DC - The final regulations, which will be published in the Federal Register in the coming days, will amend the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) by providing Federal employees more choice, convenience, and confidence, as well as a more cost-effective system.

The changes will also introduce more opportunities for giving - both for new and for seasoned Federal employees. The rule also creates the authorization to develop a new Disaster Relief Program designed to make sure that those in need receive help when they need it most.

“Thanks to the generosity of Federal employees, the CFC has raised more than $7 billion for charities in its more than 50 year history, making it the world’s largest workplace giving campaign,” said OPM Director Katherine Archuleta. “These new regulations will streamline campaign operations to make the program more effective and cost-efficient. These changes will also ensure that the greatest amount of contributions go directly to the charities and causes selected by Federal donors.  It also will go a long way to ensure that every charitable dollar and campaign expense is visible to charities and donors through every step of the process.”

OPM worked diligently with representatives from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to craft these regulations. The goal was to maximize the efficiency, transparency and long-term success of the CFC. This final rule will take effect for the 2016 campaign.

The rule advances the important goal of making sure that the largest amount possible of a Federal employee’s contribution goes directly to the designated charities with the introduction of application and listing fees that will help support the CFC. OPM will continue to collaborate with its charity partners to establish a fee structure that is fair and inclusive to all charitable organizations that want to be part of the CFC.

The rule will also make the fund distribution process more transparent.  By streamlining backroom operations as well as charging fees to process applications and print Charity Lists, the CFC will greatly reduce or eliminate administrative expenses deducted from contributions.  In addition, the rule will no longer allow the deduction of federation dues and fees prior to the distribution of CFC funds by federations to their member organizations. 

OPM has a long history of partnering with charitable organizations to make the CFC a success.  We are committed to continuing this valuable relationship as we develop the implementation plan for the new rule.

The regulations were developed as a result of recommendations from the CFC-50 Commission, which explored various ways the program could be updated to ensure its continued success. The diverse Commission membership included Federal employees, private campaign administrators, charities, and watchdog organizations. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on April 8, 2013 and the 60-day public comment period ended on June 7, 2013.  OPM received more than a thousand comments, which it took into consideration when making revisions to the proposed rule.

To view OPM’s Fact Sheet on the key changes of the final rule, please visit: www.opm.gov/cfc.

To view Director Archuleta’s blog post on “Making CFC Giving Count,” please visit: /blogs/Director/2014/4/11/Making-CFC-Giving-Count/.