The 2010 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is underway. The CFC is the largest charitable campaign in the world and is the one approved method for federal employees to donate via payroll deduction to charities. The Southwest Colorado CFC covers federal employees who work in Montezuma, La Plata and Archuleta Counties. USFS, BLM, BIA, BOR, USPS, Social Security, National Park Service, and other federal agencies participate each year.

Federal employees have many options for any charitable donation they make. Donations can be directed to local nonprofit groups, national organizations and international organizations. Environmental causes, human service groups, health organizations and many others are qualified for this year’s CFC. At each federal agency, hard copy books are available that list all the nonprofit organizations a federal employee can support. The book lists the national nonprofits first, then international organizations, then local organizations.

You can search here for organizations to consider supporting with your gift. When searching by Organization Name or Description, you can enter a keyword (ex: adoption) or partial keyword (ex: adopt) or the full organization name (ex: Adoption Links Worldwide). Use the Taxonomy Code search to locate organizations based upon their type of mission, services, and activities provided.

When you find an organization you want to direct your gift to, simply enter that group’s five-digit code on your pledge form. Turn in your pledge form to your CFC keyworker at your agency and that’s all you have to do! Donations made through payroll deduction will begin to be withheld from your paycheck starting in January 2011 and will continue through the last pay period of that year.

United Way of Southwest Colorado serves as fiscal agent for our local CFC. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at 970-247-9444, or speak with the CFC keyworker at your federal agency. Last year, federal employees in Southwest Colorado pledged over $18,000! This year the goal is to raise $20,000. Please consider making your donation today.