FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions 1. Why have a CFC? The annual fundraising campaign helps to support a variety of health, human and other services provided by more than 1,800 charitable agencies. The single campaign is the most cost-efficient fundraising method. It succeeds because volunteers from the federal workforce combine their resources for one coordinated appeal. 2. Who decides how to spend my donations? You! Each donor designates their dollars to meet their interests. You may pick a single cause—or several causes—and apportion your contribution among them in any way you like. 3. Why should I not give directly to a charitable agency and save the administrative cost? Giving through CFC offers you the following benefits:  Ease and convenience of payroll deduction. This is not only easier on the budget but in most cases allows you to give more than you could in one lump sum – maximizing the benefit to the charities you support.  Ease of giving to multiple charities. You won’t have to write separate checks to keep track of multiple receipts.  Confidence. Every CFC charity is screened by a committee of Federal employees. The PCFO is also audited annually to ensure that donations are handled properly.  Benefit to the charity. Since charities spend $0.00 to apply to CFC or be listed, giving through CFC actually lowers their own overhead. With CFC, charities do not have to spend extra money processing many individual donations. 4. I already give a lot to my church. Why should I also give through the CFC? Supporting your church organization is a wonderful cause. By giving to your church and the CFC, you can support both your faith and the many local charitable organizations that directly improve the quality of life in your local community. 5. Why isn’t my favorite agency a member of CFC? All charities listed in this year’s Charity Listing applied to the campaign either nationally at the Office of Personnel Management or locally to the California Gold Coast Local Federal Coordinating Committee (LFCC). Decisions about eligibility are based on compliance with the following criteria:  proof of 501 c 3 status as a not-for-profit voluntary agency, eligible to receive taxexempt contributions  services affecting human health and welfare  an active, volunteer Board of Directors  an annual, audit available to the public if revenues are over $250,000 annually  an office open for 15 hours a week, and a telephone dedicated to that program  and an Internal Revenue Service Form 990 report available to the public If your favorite agency is not listed in the Charity Listing, they may not have applied to the process, or it may have been turned down for lack of compliance. Staff boxes/Terri B/ CFC/2008/website/FAQ 1 6. What is a Federation? A federation is a group of voluntary charitable human health and welfare organizations established for purposes of supplying common fundraising, administrative, and management services to its members. Each federation is listed as the first organization with its member organizations following. 7. Are contributions tax-deductable? Yes, if you itemize. Every charity in the CFC brochure is a recognized 501 c 3 charity, registered with the Internal Revenue Service. 8. What is the relationship between CFC and United Way of Ventura County (UWVC)? CFC needs a professional organization to plan, promote and carry out its goals. CFC regulations require that every local campaign be managed by a not-for-profit agency, under a contract, UWVC assigns staff to act in the best interest of the CFC. UWVC is not paid a fee to run the campaign, but receives reimbursement for approved CFC expenditures through the annual budget. UWVC and its partner agencies also apply independently to participate in the campaign to become eligible to receive donations. 9. What does the percentage number listed with each agency mean? The number you see at the end of each listing refers to the administrative and fundraising (AFR) costs for each individual charity. If you like the charity but are not please with their AFR, contact them and ask. Sometimes there’s a logical and valid reason for this. And if you’re not pleased with the answer, find another charity you like and pledge to them. Administrative costs buy:  stable, continuing services  a location where people know they can receive the services they need  a staff of motivated, concerned persons, often augmented by volunteers  a focus on a particular need or a range of needs  accountability, through professional accounting practices and audits 10. Why should I support a campaign, which includes organizations I don’t like? It’s true that a wide spectrum of organizations is represented because of the varied interest of the Federal workforce. However, by designating where your funds go, you can be assured that only the charities of your choice receive your gift. Many worthy organizations need your support—lack of participation in the CFC makes it more difficult for them to provide the needed help. Remember, CFC has established stringent guidelines to ensure that member organizations are serving needs, are financially responsible, and are operated by a Board of Directors. 11. What if I lose my job? You will not be expected to continue your pledge payments during your period of unemployment, nor are you responsible for your remaining balance. 12. How do I know my money really gets to the agency I designate? By regulation, all designations must be honored. A yearly independent audit is performed to verify this. In addition, you can request to be acknowledge for your pledge by your designated charity. 13. What happens when I fill out the optional address & contact information und “Recognition Options: on my pledge form? If you complete this section on the pledge form, you authorize your name and address to be forwarded to the agency(cies) you designate. Many times they acknowledge your contribution and add your name to their mailing list. It is up to the federation or agency to acknowledge your gift. 14. Can I get help from a CFC agency? Yes, the services of CFC agencies are available to anyone who needs them, including federal employees. Call 211 for information about which charitable organization can assist you with your specific needs. Staff boxes/Terri B/ CFC/2008/website/FAQ 2