Washington, D.C. - For the 2014 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season, OPM is launching the Universal Giving program, which allows Federal employees to donate to over 24,000 charities nationwide. Previously, employees could give only to national charities or to charities in their CFC region.

“Each year, we see an incredible amount of generosity from Federal employees, who have donated more than $7 billion through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) since the first campaign in 1964,” said OPM Director Archuleta. “With Universal Giving, the CFC will expand the opportunities for Federal employees to give to the charities they feel most connected to.”

Donors can now give to CFC charities outside of their local charity lists. For the first time, donors can make a pledge to any of the over 24,000 charities that participate in the 151 CFC regions. For example, Federal employees in the Washington, D.C. area who previously had access to approximately 4,000 charities will now be able to choose among 24,000 charities nationwide.

Each year, the CFC aims to support and promote philanthropy through this voluntary program that is employee-focused, cost-efficient and effective in providing all Federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all. Last year alone, more than 800,000 employees donated more than $209 million to the charities and causes they care about.

Federal employees can identify charities using the new online search feature that allows them to search by charity name, keyword, or tax code. They can make a pledge to any CFC charity using their campaign region’s pledge form or by electronic giving where available.

The annual CFC runs from September 1 through December 15. For more information about the campaign, call the OPM press office or visit www.opm.gov/cfc.