Combined Federal Campaign Designation Offers Added Support To Sea Services

By SUSAN K. FALLON
Director of the Navy League Foundation

Good news! Federal employees can now donate directly to the Navy League Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). The Navy League Foundation is honored to be one of a select number of national nonprofit organizations accepted as an approved charity by the Office of Management and Budget for the 2004 program. The Navy League Foundation is designated CFC #1364.

By choosing the Navy League Foundation to receive their tax-deductible contribution, federal employees can help provide scholarships and financial support to U.S. sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and Merchant Mariners and their families, and educate citizens on the vital role of a strong maritime force.

What is the CFC?

The CFC is the annual fundraising drive conducted by federal employees, U.S. Postal Service workers, and the men and women of the armed services in their workplaces across the United States and overseas. It was created to consolidate fundraising efforts at federal departments and agencies. By allowing employees to select organizations of their choice from an official brochure, and make contributions through payroll deductions, the CFC opened the door to more opportunities for giving to hundreds of worthy causes.

In operation for more than 30 years, the CFC is the only authorized solicitation of employees in the federal workplace on behalf of charitable organizations.

How Does It Work?

Over the course of several weeks, employees are encouraged to contribute to “the campaign drive.” Each federal agency or military installation administers its own CFC drive at a local level; however, all use the same materials, including the approved catalog of charities. This catalog includes the name and a brief description of the charity, tax ID number, website address and the all-important four-number CFC code.

If they opt to participate, the employee can only designate charities that are included in the catalog. The employee indicates which charities will receive his/her gift on the standardized pledge card by using the organization’s four-digit code number. The employee can make an immediate gift of cash, or through elective paycheck contributions.

How You Can Help

The 2004 campaign will run from Sept. 15 through Dec. 1. Each local campaign is organized and run by a principal volunteer. According to the CFC, most of these volunteers will welcome any efforts to help increase the success of their campaign. The CFC is a great way to support the Navy League Foundation at the community level.

Consider helping to raise the visibility of the Navy League Foundation during a CFC drive at a federal office or military base near you, with one of the following activities:

Ask fellow Navy Leaguers to volunteer with you during local fundraising events;

Promote the Navy League Foundation CFC #1364 in e-mails to colleagues, local newsletters, church bulletins and other community publications;

Encourage corporate members and community affiliates to talk up their involvement with, and support of, the Navy League when contacting their federal customers;

Find opportunities to promote the benefits of Navy League education and youth programs, including scholarships, Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps and Naval Sea Cadets.

The Navy League Foundation hopes its participation in the CFC will not only increase awareness of the incredible work the Navy League does for sea service personnel and their families, but also encourage a new source of support for our scholarship, education and youth programs. If you or someone you know is eligible to participate in the 2004 campaign, please encourage them to support the Navy League Foundation (CFC #1364) by making a pledge or a tax-deductible contribution today.

For more information, please visit the Navy League website at www.navyleague.org or contact the Navy League Development Office via phone at (800) 356-5760 or e-mail at development@navyleague.org.