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By: FEDweek StaffOPM has issued its annual memo launching the Combined Federal Campaign, the government’s official charity drive, which will run September 21-January 15.
As it does every year, OPM told agencies that “your active and visible leadership is critical to a successful campaign. With your help, we can assure those campaign workers in your organization reach every federal employee to let them know how they can make a monetary contribution and pledge volunteer time to support organizations that help people in need. This is important since employees are more likely to participate in the program if they are asked.”
It also again encouraged employees to take leadership positions such as CFC campaign managers, loaned executives, coordinators, and key workers.
“These positions are often a great way to develop professional skills, such as public speaking, financial accountability, and expertise in building public-private sector partnerships. Leadership and service within the CFC also can help augment the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to advance to more senior-level positions and eventually, into Senior Executive Service positions,” it said.
It added: “As a reminder, to improve financial security, the CFC no longer accepts cash donations. However, special events during your CFC season are still encouraged provided they focus on increasing employee awareness of CFC charities, their missions and bring a higher level of employee engagement into the workplace. Popular CFC events such as bake sales or chili cook-offs are encouraged as campaign awareness and engagement events.”
It said that last year some $86.4 million was pledged in direct contributions and in the value of volunteer hours and that an additional $2.6 million was pledged during a special solicitation in the spring, which is now closed, related to the pandemic.
OPM CFC search tool: Find A Charity
