 |
| News > Commentary - CFC is your opportunity to be part of something big |
|
CFC is your opportunity to be part of something big
Posted 10/26/2010 Updated 10/26/2010
Email story
Print story
Commentary by Paggy Facer
Ogden Air Logistics Center Plans and Programs
10/26/2010 - HILL AIR FORCE BASE -- Team Hill: I am delighted to serve as vice-chairwoman of this year's Hill AFB Combined Federal Campaign, and I'd like to share a few thoughts with you about the campaign and why it makes me happy to be a part of it. The CFC is a shining star of a government program. The largest and most successful philanthropic fundraiser in the world, the CFC is thriving proof of our caring nature, giving each and every one of us government employees and military members the individual power to help change the world, to actually make a difference!
Whether finding a cure for cancer, supplying the local food bank, supporting the families of our deployed troops, cleaning our environment, stopping animal abuse, fighting international drug cartels -- whatever cause most touches your heart, the CFC undoubtedly includes a charitable organization (probably several) that supports it. All charities must meet strict eligibility and public accountability criteria, so you know they are bona fide. Their missions and administrative costs are readily available for your perusal, and you can be confident that your donation will definitely go to the exact charity you choose.
And it's all so easy to do. This is the best part, from a practical perspective anyway. As an officially sanctioned activity, you can use work time (within reason) to research the charities and make your donations, either on-line or hard-copy. The CFC provides brochures as well as on-line listings, and a search engine helps you locate a charity that matches your concerns and wishes. Select a charity, decide how much you wish to donate for the year, and fill out the short form to establish your donation. The annual amount will be split across all the pay periods throughout the year and automatically deducted from your pay. (So easy and it's tax deductible!)
CFC Team Hill volunteer representatives are available in your organization to help you every step of the way. Hopefully by now you have already been contacted by your organization's CFC rep -- if not, just ask your supervisor who the CFC project officer or key worker is for your group. This is especially important for first-time donors. Many of you are familiar with the CFC and the donation process from years past -- I add my sincere thanks to you for your past donations and your continued support. But many of us are new to the process -- your organization CFC rep can help you. As a bonus -- first-time donors this campaign season receive a CFC mug. See your representative for details.
As a personal example, I have very strong feelings about animal abuse, and I always make a point to donate to a cause that is devoted to helping our animal friends. I looked through the applicable charities and selected one. It happens to have an AFR (Administrative and Fund Raising expense rate) in the 15 percent to 20 percent range. You might wonder what makes a good AFR. My advice is that anything below 10 percent is fantastic, 10 percent to 25 percent is good and fairly typical, while more than 25 percent you maybe should do more research and find out a little more about why their rate is so high. It might be perfectly reasonable for a charity to have a high AFR -- don't just automatically discount them, without looking into it a bit further.
And remember even the minimum donation of $1 per pay period -- that's $26 per year for us civilians -- is definitely worthwhile, and you won't even miss it since it is automatically deducted from your pay. Team Hill, can you think of a time when it has ever been more important than right now for each of us to do whatever we can to help improve this world? Neither can I. Take a stand. Make a decision to selflessly do something about it -- no matter how big or small. Now is our opportunity -- the CFC is our enabler. I am truly honored and happy to be a part of it, and I encourage each and every one of you to participate and donate what you can.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
