OPM has sent its annual memo to agencies urging them to encourage employees to make donations to the Combined Federal Campaign and to get involved in other ways.
"I recommend allowing your employees to serve as CFC loaned executives, coordinators, and keyworkers to the extent possible during the campaign period as well as encouraging employees to serve on their local federal coordinating committees," acting OPM director Elaine Kaplan wrote. "These positions are often a great way to develop professional skills such as public speaking, financial accountability and building public-private sector partnerships, among others. Since the CFC is a recognized federal program, it is not appropriate to place these employees on leave or make employees take leave to administer the CFC within your agency."
OPM also encouraged agencies to hold charity fairs, which "give federal employees the opportunity to learn more about the participating charities directly from representatives of those organizations. We have found this to be one of the most effective ways to engage potential donors. Your local CFC office can provide more information on how to set up a charity fair and/or invite charitable organizations."
It further recommended that communications to employees regarding making donations should emphasize the convenience of payroll deduction and the program’s relatively low overhead costs, among other features.
The amount of contributions to the annual charity drive has been slipping in recent years for a variety of reasons, with the 2012 figure at $258 million, down from a peak of $283 million in 2009. OPM has proposed a series of rules changes that remain in the draft stage, following concerns expressed by many charities that the revisions could result in reduced donations.
The memo is at www.chcoc.gov/transmittals
