It’s the most wonderful time of year for many; but not for all. Charities are working tirelessly during the winter months to fulfill the needs of their communities and beneficiaries, and look for ways to fund their programs and creatively inspire and engage donors to give back.
Of course, the holidays can feel like a whirlwind of demands between last minute gift shopping, family gatherings, and all of those festive events — which can strain both wallets and schedules.
Despite these demands, December is historically the highest charitable giving month of the year, and a great time to volunteer. If you want to start a tradition of gift giving that lasts much longer than the holiday, GIVE HAPPY through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) this holiday season. There are many CFC charities that need our support this time of year, and beyond.
The CFC is a 63-year traditional way members of the military and Federal employees (and now retirees!) can give back to charities through payroll deduction or by a one-time gift. The program, overseen by the Office of Personnel Management in conjunction with The White House, was established by President Kennedy during his time in office. Over the years, has continued to evolve with the times and invite the greater Federal community to help those in need.
And in echo of President Kennedy’s call to action for Americans, when you give happy, you are not just asking what your country can do for you — but what you can do for your country. GIVE HAPPY to you ensure veterans and their families are given the care and respect they deserve; that brilliant young artists get the chance to follow their dreams; and so we can leave the world better than we found it.
Here are 5 ways feds can GIVE HAPPY this holiday season
- DONATE – It’s easy to GIVE HAPPY by donating a little from each paycheck or pledging a few volunteer hours a month at GiveCFC.org. The online giving system allows you to easily renew your pledge each year and offers the full range of giving options including payroll deduction (the most popular!), credit/debit card, e-check/bank transfer, volunteer hours (Federal employees only). Other options include paper pledge forms, the CFC Giving Mobile App, and Text-to-Donate.
- VOLUNTEER: Organize a group volunteer project this holiday season with co-workers/family members for CFC charities that depend on your time and talents (in addition to your monetary donations). You can pledge volunteer hours as a group (or as an individual) and track the time you spend volunteering over the course of the next year. When searching for organizations, check the ‘Volunteer Opportunities Available’ box with the raised hand icon to search for organizations accepting volunteers.
- EVENTS: Attending holiday charity events (virtual or in-person) is a great way to learn more about the impact charities are making in the community while sharing some holiday spirit. No events in your area? You can learn more about participating CFC charities through our Virtual Charity Fair. Read success stories, watch videos, and learn about how your gifts make an impact when you GIVE HAPPY.
- ENGAGE: Engage by commenting and liking CFC posts on our national social media accounts. Let your own audience know that you participate in one of the largest workplace giving campaigns in the world by sharing and posting relevant content on your agencies page. Check the cause area posting schedule, so you can see where your support will make a difference this holiday season.
- ADVOCATE: Be a virtual advocate for the CFC! The ultimate goal is to ensure that every Federal employee is given the opportunity to give through the CFC. You can be a CFC champion by planning fun events, using the “I GAVE” badge on email signatures, using the holiday CFC-themed backgrounds in meetings, sharing holiday graphics, utilizing the Campaign Worker toolkit, and personally inviting your colleagues to join the CFC community and GIVE HAPPY during this holiday season.
We know there are a lot of giving options out there. You might be wondering: Why should I give through the CFC this holiday season?
Payroll deduction: The good thing about the CFC is that you can pledge now and pay (or volunteer) later! Give through payroll deduction and you won’t see that reflected in your paycheck until the first full pay period after the campaign ends in mid-January. Plus, when you give via payroll deduction the designated recurring gifts from each paycheck make for a greater impact over time.
Multiple vetted charities: You can make all your charitable donations and pledge volunteer hours in one place. Who doesn’t love that kind of convenience? And, through the CFC your pledge is always secure – the online CFC Giving System meets all Federal security standards – and all charities have been vetted. Not only is it quick to pledge through the online portal, but the comprehensive options ensure you have multiple ways to give and spread some holiday cheer.
Greater impact: CFC pledges make a real and meaningful difference to a countless number of individuals throughout our communities, the nation, and the world. With the holiday season upon us, there are tons of CFC charities that could really use our support—now and throughout the year. Together, we can make an impact one gift at a time.
Now is the perfect time to get involved and spread some holiday cheer! If you’re looking to kick off a gift-giving tradition that goes beyond just the holidays, consider giving through the CFC. There are tons of amazing charities out there that could really use our support r now, and in the wake of the devastating hurricane season, and humanitarian crises that continue to need our aid.
By joining the CFC community, you can make a real difference for those in need. GIVE HAPPY today at GiveCFC.org and make this holiday season a special one!
