The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is the official workplace giving program for federal employees and retirees in the United States. Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, it is one of the largest and most successful annual charity campaigns, enabling federal employees to donate to a wide range of nonprofit organizations. The campaign runs annually, typically from September to January, during which federal employees are encouraged to pledge support for charitable organizations, but you can donate at any time through recurring payroll deductions if you are setting up for the next calendar year.

Over its history, the CFC has raised more than $8.6 billion for charitable organizations. In 2022 alone, CFC contributions amounted to over $80 million, benefiting thousands of charities worldwide.

If you are (or were) an employee of the federal government, you can support FOCUS North America through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) by indicating our code on your pledge form: 19541.

• CFC is open to all federal employees, military personnel, and retirees. They can contribute to thousands of eligible charities that provide health, human services, environmental, and other forms of aid.
• If you’re a retired federal employee, you can also contribute through annuity deduction.
• Participants can donate through payroll deductions, a one-time gift, or other payment methods like credit card, bank transfer, or check. This system allows donors to spread their contributions over time, making it easier to support causes they care about.
• The CFC offers a vast directory of local, national, and international nonprofits, allowing participants to support specific causes, such as hunger relief, education, medical research, disaster relief, and more. Each charity listed is vetted and must meet strict eligibility criteria.

Step One: Find a Charity

• Search the CFC Charity List: You can explore thousands of eligible charities through the CFC Charity Search tool online at the CFC website. Charities are organized by categories such as education, health, environmental conservation, and disaster relief, or you can search by name, location, or cause.

Step two: Choose a Donation Method

• Payroll Deduction: The most popular option, federal employees can authorize a portion of their paycheck to be automatically deducted and donated to the charity of their choice. This allows you to spread donations over the year.

• One-Time Donations: You can make a one-time gift using credit/debit cards, electronic funds transfer (EFT), or even a check.

• Volunteer Time: Federal employees can also pledge their time to certain CFC-approved charities, allowing them to support the charity through volunteer hours.

Step three: Create an Account

• Online: You can contribute via the official CFC Giving website. First, create an account or log in if you already have one.
• Mobile App: Download the CFC Giving app for iOS or Android devices, where you can also browse charities, set up payroll deductions, and track your donations.

Step four: Submit Your Pledge

• Enter Donation Amount: After selecting a charity, enter the donation amount. If you are doing payroll deductions, decide how much to contribute per paycheck.
• Anonymous Giving (Optional): You have the option to donate anonymously if you prefer.
• Review and Submit: Once you’ve reviewed your selections, submit your pledge. You’ll receive a confirmation and, in many cases, a summary of your annual donation plan.

Step five: Paper Pledge Form (If Preferred)

• For those who prefer paper over digital, you can request a CFC Pledge Form from your agency’s CFC coordinator. Simply fill it out and submit it to your CFC representative.
• If you are (or were) an employee of the federal government, you can support FOCUS North America through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) by indicating our code on your pledge form: 19541.