History of the Combined Federal Campaign

A brief history of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) will demonstrate why it is one of the largest, most successful, and convenient workplace giving programs in the United States. Programs offer a myriad of choices for giving and it is convenient for federal employees to participate. The CFC allows participants to chose to give to organizations at the local, national, and international level. No other workplace giving program offers this type of variety of choice and convenience for charitable agencies.

Prior to the 1950's workplace giving campaigns in the federal government were an uncontrollable free for all which not surprisingly produced poor results. At times supervisors applied pressure to employees to give and quota's were wrongly established. Employees were asked to give throughout the year and there was no established order in how things were conducted.

In the 1950's President Eisenhower took steps to correct the prevailing situation. Various campaigns were assigned to particular times of the year. Local United Way Campaigns were conducted in the Fall and National Health Agencies and International Service Groups were assigned to the Spring. The American Red Cross drive was done in Spring if it was not part of the local campaign in Fall. Although this was an improvement there was still more work to accomplish.

President Kennedy came up with the concept of a combined giving campaign and in 1964 this idea was introduced with experiments around the United States. This program proved to be very successful along with the innovation of payroll deductions. Under President Nixon in 1971 the modern day CFC was born.

The CFC has over 1600 national and international agencies where employees can designate their contributions. In addition hundreds of local organizations exist allowing employee to contribute to the charities in their own home town. The payroll deduction systems make it easy for agencies after applying to receive quarterly checks. The CFC has proven to be very successful growing tremendously each year. The concept of a combined campaign with payroll deductions laid the foundation for one of the most successful workplace giving programs in history.

Postal Employees’ Relief Fund

PERF is a CFC funded agency; below is an example of how your annual CFC contributions do make a difference….

COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS. The Postal Employees’ Relief Fund — jointly administered by USPS, its unions and management associations — gave more than $1.1 million to 207 employees throughout the country in 2009. Since it began in 1990, the fund has provided more than 3,000 grants totaling nearly $15 million to active and retired employees in need of humanitarian aid.

EMPLOYEE GENEROSITY CONTINUED IN 2009

Postal Service employees surpassed the goal for the 2009 Combined Federal Campaign of Greater Wisconsin by donating more than $335,000. Considering the reduction in staffing the Postal Service experienced and the struggling economy, Postal Service employees again stepped up to help meet the needs of their communities by supporting a myriad of causes through contributions to the campaign.

This amount is a direct reflection of the caring attitude and generosity of Postal Service employees in each of the 46 counties of the Combined Federal Campaign during the toughest economic times in recent memory.

Each of us should take pride in reflecting that we have achieved over 100% of our goal with individual gifts from the hearts of 1,600 co-workers.

Denise Daugherty, 2009 United States Postal Service CFC Coordinator, said, “Congratulations and a BIG THANK YOU to everyone that helped to brighten someone's life. These donations will have an effect on the comfort, well-being, security and essential interests of humanity. As mentioned in this year’s theme— Your Hands Can Shape the World!”

--USPS Release

Who Will Read the Bedtime Story When Mommy Leaves for Afganistan

It's that time of the year again when Postal and Federal Employees can contribute to their favorite cherites via Payroll Deduction. Please consider contributing. If every postal employee would donate just $1.00 per pay period we would have a very succesful campaign.

Click here to find the answer: Who Will Read the Bedtime Story When Mommy Leaves for Afganistan?