Q&A with Keith Willingham, Director of Combined Federal Campaign operations at the Office of Personnel Management

Another Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is already under way. Keith
Willingham, director of CFC operations at the Office of Personnel
Management (OPM), explained to The Hill in an interview conducted via
email how the annual fundraising drive started, how it works and who
can participate.

Q: Explain the purpose of the CFC.
{mosads}The CFC was established as the only approved federal fundraising program where Federal employees may be solicited to give to charities in the workplace. You can find more information on our website (http://www.opm.gov/cfc/)
 
Q: How long is the campaign?
Local campaign personnel determine the dates in which Federal employees will be solicited in their area. The campaign may begin as early as September 1, but must conclude by December 15.
 
Q: How did OPM become involved? What are some of the challenges you face?
In 1961, President Kennedy created the CFC by an Executive Order and assigned the program to the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission. Under this Executive Order, the OPM Director is authorized to develop rules and regulations to govern fundraising in the federal workplace. OPM is tasked to oversee the program, which has grown significantly over the years. One challenge this presents is that the staff has not grown as significantly. We address the challenge by leveraging local Federal, Postal, and military personnel who are dedicated to the CFC. We also have streamlined many business processes and now allow many donors to give online, which has resulted in reducing the amount of paper processed. Last year a Federal Advisory Committee was established with the goal of generating ideas on other ways to reform and improve the program. OPM is currently working to implement these ideas.

Q: How effective has it been?
The CFC is the world’s largest and most successful workplace giving campaign. Since its creation, it has raised over $7 billion for the charities designated by Federal employees.
 
Q: Is there a particular goal this year?
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) does not set a national fundraising goal for the CFC. Rather, it works to ensure that all Federal employees have the opportunity to make a voluntary contribution to the participating charity(ies) of their choice through the CFC. They can select from over 24,000 national, international, and local charities. Last year federal employees donated over $272 million.
 
Q: Who can participate in the CFC?
Charitable organizations wishing to participate in the CFC must complete an annual application demonstrating compliance with the public accountability criteria and eligibility requirements outlined in Federal regulations.
 
Q: How many people participate?
The participation level fluctuates from year to year. Last year approximately 1 million Federal, Postal and military personnel participated.
 
Q: What guidance do you offer donors on verifying charities they can give to?
Our (OPM’s) goal is to provide donors with a wide variety of charities that are determined eligible to participate in the Campaign to select for their contributions. We also encourage federal donors to independently research any charitable organization they are considering before they donate. We also require all printed and online versions of the charity list to include a preface which provides guidance on approaches to take.

 Q: What advice do you give to prospective donors?
OPM encourages federal donors to independently research any charitable organization they are considering for their contributions. OPM advises donors to use the employer identification number (EIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the administrative and fundraising rates (AFR) and taxonomy codes to identify a charitable organization. OPM also provides a list of rating organizations that may help prospective donors research a charity such as the: Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance (http://www.bbb.org/us/charity/), the Standards of Excellence Institute (http://www.standardsforexcellenceinstitute.org/), the American Institute of Philanthropy (http://www.charitywatch.org/) and Charity Navigator (http://www.charitynavigator.org/)
 
Q: How much preparation goes into the annual campaign?
There is a great deal of preparation that goes into the annual campaign. OPM is dedicated to ensuring that all 184 campaigns can start on time. Staff begin preparing for the subsequent annual campaign before the December 15 end date. OPM receives thousands of applications from national/international charities each year. In addition, Local Federal Coordinating Committees receive tens of thousands of local charity applications each year.