CFC: Supporting legitimate charities of your choice

  • Published
  • By Roger Kirouac
  • 97th Maintenance Directorate
ALTUS AFB, Okla. --  How time does fly? We hear this phrase when something is once again upon us. And, once again that time is the Combined Federal Campaign which will start on Altus Air Force Base Sept. 23. 

It's the time for all Department of Defense military and civilians to reach deep down into their pockets and make a contribution to the charity of their choice. 

The CFC received a record pledge of $268.5 million in 2005. But, how do you know your contribution is going to a legitimate organization and not to an organization supporting terrorism? 

Who has the ultimate authority over the CFC? The Office of Personnel Management has responsibility for the oversight of the CFC and the Director of OPM has designated to the CFC Operations responsibility for day to day management of the CFC. Within the OPM web site of CFC - Frequently Asked Questions, "What are the eligibility requirements for an organization to participate in the CFC? To be eligible to participate in the CFC each charity 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 CFR Part 950. Applicants must also provide a completed and signed copy of their IRS Form 990 for their most recent fiscal year." 

For 2006, OPM updated a CFC Anti-terrorism Certification that states, I certify that the organization named in this application is in compliance with all statutes, Executive orders, and regulations restricting or prohibiting U.S. persons from engaging in transactions and dealings with countries, entities, or individuals subject to economic sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. 

The organization named in this application is aware that a list of countries subject to such sanctions, a list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons subject to such sanctions, and overviews and guidelines for each such sanctions program can be found at http://www.treas.gov/ofac. 

Should any change in circumstances pertaining to this certification occur at any time, the organization will notify OPM's Office of CFC Operations immediately. 

In referring to the original question, "How do you know your contribution is going to a legitimate charitable organization and not to an organization supporting terrorism? OPM and the IRS have implemented several steps for an organization to follow in order to be considered a recipient of donations through the CFC. 

Unit CFC representatives will provide information on the local campaign and pledge slips to all members in their unit, striving for a 100 percent contact goal for the 2006 campaign.