CFC celebrates 50 years of helping

  • Published
  • By David R. Hopper
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The 2011 Combined Federal Campaign officially kicked-off at the Bellevue Public Schools Lied Activity Center Sept. 20.

The CFC runs through the end of December and allows military, federal and postal employees to donate to local, national and international charities of their choice. This year the CFC is celebrating 50 years of raising money for non-profit civilian organizations.

President John F. Kennedy established the CFC in 1961. The CFC enables federal employees to donate to a charity from their paychecks, through their payroll system.

When federal employees donate money to charities through the CFC, they can be assured the Office of Personnel Management has checked organizations using the following criteria.
  • Is the charity an Internal Revenue Service determined tax-exempt charity?
  • Has the charity provided a Form 990, which is an informational tax return for non-profits, to the IRS?
  • Has the charity provided real services, benefits, assistance or program activities?
  • Does the charity have an active and responsible board of directors, in which a majority of its board members serve without compensation and without a conflict of interest?
Brig. Gen. Donald J. Bacon, 55th Wing commander, is the 2011 Heart of the Midlands CFC chair for Nebraska and western Iowa.

"The generosity that CFC donors show to people around the world each year is incredible," Bacon said. "As service members and federal employees, we go beyond the call of duty to serve and protect the American people."

"The need in the United States and around the world has increased exponentially over the past year," Bacon said. "CFC gives us an easy and convenient way to combat those needs at one time or spread throughout the year."

Charities that participate in the CFC are required to have low overhead costs, allowing more money to go to those that need it.

The CFC has a new way to complete charitable contributions using the CFC Nexus website.

"There are 2,500 charities to choose from with more than 150 of them local - there is a charity out there for everyone. Now with the Nexus system it is very easy to search for charities by interests or by their name," said Maj. Karl Basham, U.S. Strategic Command. "You can conveniently donate online and you can print out the pledge form for your tax records."

As the campaign progresses, representatives will still visit people in their units with information about various charitable organizations.

Unit representatives will have this year's CFC catalogue along with donation forms for those who don't want to use the website to make their donation. The catalogue lists local, national and international organizations, including some located on Offutt. Contributions can be made as a one time, percentage or a specified amount per paycheck.

"You determine how much you can contribute and which organization receives your contribution," Basham said. "Even the smallest of donations can go a long way."

The 2011 CFC goal for the 55th Wing is $330,000, U.S. Strategic Command has set their goal at $275,000.

For more information about the CFC or to research charities, visit the Heart of the Midlands CFC website or contact your unit representative.

If you already know what charity you would like to contribute to, simply visit the CFC Nexus website or fill out the donation form with your unit representative.