Charity Eligibility & Participation

Charity Eligibility & Participation

Q.= &nb= sp; What are the eligibility requirements for an organization to participate in the = CFC?

A. To be eligible to participate in th= e CFC each charitable organization must be designated = as a tax-exempt non-profit organization under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. An application to participate = in the CFC must provide specific information about their auditing, governance = and program functions, as specified in the CFC regulations at 5 C.F.R § 950 3D"PDF . Applicants must also provide a completed and signed copy of their IRS Form = 990 for their most recent fiscal year. To participate in one of the 200 plus lo= cal CFC campaign areas, as opposed to being nationally eligible and participati= ng in every campaign area, a charitable organization must be able to demonstra= te that it has a "substantial" program presence within the campaign's (or an adjacent campaign's) geographical boundaries or within the state of = the campaign. Charities may apply to participate in the CFC individually (as an "independent organization"), or they may be represented by a "federation." A federation is a coalition of individual charities with similar missions that align to minimize administrative costs and coord= inate activities. All CFC application and participation requirements that apply to individual charities also apply to federations. In addition, federations mu= st demonstrate that they have at least 15 CFC member organizations that meet t= he CFC eligibility criteria.

Q.= &nb= sp; Where do charitable organizations apply?

A. Members of federations must submit = their applications to the federation. Federations and independent organizations submit their applications directly to the U.S. Office of Personnel Manageme= nt (if applying as a national/international organization) or the local CFC off= ice (if applying as a local organization). Charities can find contact informati= on for local CFC offices via our Campaign Locator (http://www.opm.gov/cfc/Search/Locator.asp). See the application instructio= ns for more information.

Q. If we have questions about our participation in campaigns locally, who do we contact?<= /span>

A. Questions shoul= d be directed to your local campaign office. A complete listing of local campaign contacts can be found through The Campa= ign Locator.

Q.= &nb= sp; What is the local campaign application deadline?

A. Each of the 200 plus campaigns sets= its own deadline. You will need to contact your local campaign office for this information.

Q.= &nb= sp; How many campaigns am I eligible to apply to?

A. Each local organization may apply t= o the campaign where it has a substantial local presence (i.e. a staffed facility, office or portion of a residence dedicated exclusively to the organization, available to members of the public seeking its services or benefits. The facility must be open at least 15 hours per week and have a telephone dedic= ated exclusively to the organization.) It can also apply to all campaign areas t= hat are adjacent to the campaign where the organization is located. An applicat= ion must be sent to each campaign in which the organization wishes to participate.

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= Organizations that provide services in 30% of the geographic area of the state or to 30% = of a target population in the state may apply as a statewide organization. An application must be sent to each campaign in the= state in which the organization wishes to participate.

Q.= &nb= sp; Is there a limit on how much in contributions a charitable organization can receive?

A. Donors can designate any amount the= y wish to a charitable organization. There is no limit to the = amount a charitable organization can receive.

Q. How does a charitable organization = know the amount of pledges it received in a campaign year?

A. Each local campaign office is requi= red to notify designated charitable organizations, in writing, of the amount of pledges it received by a date determined by OPM. Charitable organizations t= hat did not receive a designation in the campaign area will not receive a communication from the campaign.

Q. In what form wi= ll payments be received by my organization (i.e., electronic transfers, checks, etc.)?

A. Campaigns may choose to send paymen= ts via check or EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer). Participation in EFT disbursement= s is optional for participating charitable organizations.

Q. Are donor contributions received throughout the year?

A. Contributi= ons are administered by a local non-profit fiscal agent known as the Principal Combined Fund Organization (PCFO). The PCFO may disburse funds either monthly or quarterly beginning by April of the year immediately following the campaign period. However, the PCFO may send one-time checks to charitable organizations that received very small amounts in contributions.

Q. Does inclusion in the CFC Charity L= ist carry with it any description of the charity's purpose or goals?=

A. Yes, CFC Charity Lists include a 25= -word statement that is crafted by the applicant and submitte= d to OPM. However, those campaigns that receive less than $100,000 in ple= dges are not required to include the 25-word statement in the Charity List.=

Q. Will participating charitable organizations receive the names of donors who have contributed to their organizations? How?

A. It is the responsibility of the loc= al CFC office to forward the names and addresses of donors who wish to have their names released to the recipient charitable organization directly. If the charitable organization is a member of a federation, the federation will receive the donor name and relay it to the participating charitable organization. The PCFO and the federation may not make any other use of don= ors' names and addresses.

Q.= &nb= sp; Is it necessary for a charitable organization to submit an application annuall= y?

A. Yes, all CFC applicants are require= d to submit a new application annually. (Please visit Charity Application sectio= n.)

Q. We are a new charitable organization, is = it possible to estimate how much might we expect to receive in contributions t= he first year?

A. It is difficult to estimate how muc= h you will receive in any given year as the CFC, like all workplace giving, is subject to influences that may affect giving (i.e., fluctuations in the Fed= eral labor force). After participating for a number of years, it may be possible= to establish an estimated range for the amount to be recei= ved. We suggest that charitable organizations contact similar charities which participate in the CFC to inquire about their experiences. Ple= ase note that participation in the CFC is not a guarantee that the organization will receive designations from donors.

Q. Will we get an opportunity to parti= cipate in meetings, charity exhibits and other events hosted by Federal agencies?<= o:p>

A. Yes. Participating charitable organizat= ions wishing to be involved in campaign events should contact their local CFC of= fice in writing to inquire about opportunities to participate in CFC events and request a copy of their calendar of CFC events.

Q. If we have questions regarding the = CFC to whom should they be addressed?<= o:p>

A. Contact the Office of CFC Operation= s at (202) 606-2564 (Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-5:00pm) or cfc@opm.gov or your local CFC office (http://www.opm.gov/cfc/Search/Locator.asp) for questions/concerns regarding the campaign.