Welcome to the Muscle Shoals Area
Combined Federal Campaign Drive 2007

Its tradition of commitment to the community through the selfless efforts of Federal employees, has its roots in the many charitable campaigns of the early 1960's. Seeing a need to bring the diversity of fundraising efforts under one umbrella, Federal employees created the CFC-one campaign, once a year. By allowing employees to select the organizations of their choice from a single brochure and to make their contributions through payroll deductions, the CFC opened wide the door to more opportunities for generous giving to literally hundreds of worthy causes. An Executive Order made the CFC a reality, and turned an innovative idea into a uniquely effective way for Federal employees to help those in need across our community and throughout the world. The CFC is the only authorized solicitation of employees in the Federal workplace on behalf of charitable organizations. It continues to be the largest and most successful workplace fundraising model in the world.

Visit the CFC Homepage

For information about the CFC, visit the CFC Home Page at www.opm.gov/cfc.

You Accomplish So Much With Your CFC Gift

This year, many local, national, and international voluntary agencies will benefit from your thoughtfulness and generosity. A few minutes of your time today can mean meals for hungry children, relief for families in need of counseling, further work on cures for diseases, comfort for the dying, access to water in the Third World, environmental protection, and better lives and renewed hope for millions of people in our global community.

Payroll Deduction Lets You Help All Year Long

Payroll deduction makes it convenient for you to give by letting you spread your contribution across the entire year. Last year at the national level, more than 91% of all CFC funds raised were given through payroll deduction. At the local level, 88% of all funds raised by the Muscle Shoals Area CFC were through payroll deductions. Payments on payroll deduction pledges begin on the first pay period in January. Because there is no simpler way for you to make good things happen for so many people, payroll deduction helps you care for your community and your world.

You Control Where You're Gift Will Go

All Federal employees have the right to contribute or not to contribute to the CFC. The choice is yours. Through your designation, you ensure that your donation goes to meet those needs that you feel are most important. You may make your choice by designating up to five organizations where indicated on your pledge card. Except for documented expenses for the operation of the local CFCs and uncollected pledges, all contributions are distributed as designated. Every local campaign has a Local Federal Coordinating Committee, comprised of Federal employees, which must approve and monitor campaign expenses.

Please do not designate to an organization that is not listed in this brochure. Adding organizations not listed, or "write-ins" is prohibited and donations to such organizations cannot be accepted. If you prefer, you may donate to the CFC anonymously by placing your confidential gift in a sealed envelope. All funds contributed to the CFC that are not designated to a specific organization or federation will be distributed to all organizations listed in the CFC brochure in the same proportion as the contributions designated to them.

How do Charities Qualify for Listing in the CFC Brochure?

All charities listed applied for participation in the CFC either at the national or local level. Charities with documented programs in at least fifteen states or a foreign country applied directly to the Office of Personnel Management. Only those agencies certified by OPM are listed in this brochure in the "National/International Organizations" and the "International Organizations" sections.

The Local Federal Coordinating Committee (LFCC) is Your "Board of Directors"

Local charities that help residents in this area or in adjacent counties applied directly to the Local Federal Coordinating Committee (LFCC) which serves as a "Board of Directors" of your campaign. Decisions regarding the inclusion of charities in your local campaigns are made by the LFCC. The LFCC is composed of Federal employees and representatives of labor unions with Federal employees as members. LFCCs are also responsible for the oversight of your local CFC in conformance with the CFC regulations and policies established by OPM. The local charities listed under the heading "Local Organizations" have met OPM requirements for local eligibility.

The Principal Combined Fund Organization (PCFO) Manages the CFC

Every year, the LFCC selects one of the voluntary organizations involved in the CFC to manage the campaign and serve as fiscal agent. OPM sets strict requirements for this role. Annual audits are required of the PCFO by an independent CPA. The PCFO for the Muscle Shoals Area Combined Federal Campaign is United Way of Northwest Alabama.

A Proud Record of Low Fundraising Costs

Through the outstanding oversight efforts of the Federal employees on each LFCC, approximately 8% of the funds raised nationwide are spent on printing materials, training volunteers, and auditing contributions.
Because this cost is so low compared with other fundraising campaigns, every dollar you pledge goes a very long way toward helping others. Contributions (less uncollected pledges and approved administrative costs) are distributed to each charity at regular intervals by the Principal Combined Fund Organization in accordance with CFC regulations.

OPM Provides CFC Oversight

The US Office of Personnel Management has the overall responsibility for the management of the CFC. It reviews and provides guidance and technical advice on regulations, and has the authority to conduct compliance audits on any CFC local campaign fiscal records. If you would like more information about the finances, services, benefits or programs an organization provides, you may call the organization directly at the telephone number provided in the Agency Listing or visit their homepage, if available. Interested donors may also obtain information about a charity's finances and compliance with charitable organization standards of accountability by contacting the following watchdog organizations: Better Business Bureau's- Philanthropic Advisory Service (www.bbb.org) the National Charities Information Bureau (www.give.org).

For general information about trends in giving and volunteering or data on the nonprofit sector, donors may contact: Independent Sector (www.independentsector.org) or the National Center for Charitable Statistics (www.nccs.urban.org).

The Voluntary Spirit of Giving is Guaranteed

Remember, any contribution you make should be freely given. You have the right not to be improperly influenced in making your decision regarding the making or withholding of contributions in the CFC. Coercion is forbidden. In order to guarantee this voluntary spirit, the Office of Personnel Management has identified several practices that are not permitted, including but not limited to: supervisory solicitation of employees supervised; setting of 100% participation goals; providing and using contributor lists for purposes other than the routine collection and forwarding of contributions and installment pledges; establishing personal dollar goals and quotas; developing and using lists of non-contributors. Civilian employees who wish to register complaints about coercion should consult with their personnel offices; military personnel should contact their commanding officers.

Special Notice Regarding Donations of $250 or More

A Federal employee who makes a one-time (cash, check, or money order) contribution of $250 or more and those who make a payroll deduction contribution of $250 or more each pay period to the CFC should contact the local Principal Combined Fund Organization (PCFO) or Agency Coordinator to determine if additional verification of the donation is required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This will not affect the tax-deductibility of the CFC contribution.

CFC Home Page Address: www.opm.gov/cfc