Any other Federal employees thinking of decreasing or not even participating in CFC for next year?

[Anonymous]

This is going on the 3rd year of Fed. employees pay freeze and with health insurance premiums going up, food & gas too, I'm thinking of decreasing or not even giving in the CFC (combined federal campaign) that is starting soon for 2013 year. I'm bummed about it b/c I know they have great programs that help people but for now I've got to look out for my family. We donate throughout the year in other ways but CFC donation I may have to cut out completely.

[Anonymous]

I have never contributed. I make my own decision on when to to who to give.

[Anonymous]

I'm OP - you can make decision w/ CFC who specifically to give to and how much for each. There are 100s to chose from.

[Anonymous]

I already have. Reduced contribution by 50%, though I give more outside CFC now.

I never liked that the CFC is just another layer of administrative overhead to sap dollars from the donees anyway.

I'd rather give $ directly to the recipients, I don't need CFC administration taking a cut.

[Anonymous]

NP here. I will likely give my same amount or even slightly higher. I know that many people have even greater need this year than last and I doubt I will notice an extra 10 or 20 bucks missing per pay period. If its there, I will likely just spend it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never liked that the CFC is just another layer of administrative overhead to sap dollars from the donees anyway.

I'd rather give $ directly to the recipients, I don't need CFC administration taking a cut.

I agree - especially after the whole United Way scandal a few years ago. UW was administering the CFC program at the time, the head of UW was stealing money, it's executives were spending lavishly and there was a bunch of other crap going on. I decided never to donate through CFC again. I'd rather my charities of choice get more of what I send them instead of paying overhead twice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I already have. Reduced contribution by 50%, though I give more outside CFC now.

I never liked that the CFC is just another layer of administrative overhead to sap dollars from the donees anyway.

I'd rather give $ directly to the recipients, I don't need CFC administration taking a cut.

Agree with this. We just donate to our charities outside of the CFC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I already have. Reduced contribution by 50%, though I give more outside CFC now.

I never liked that the CFC is just another layer of administrative overhead to sap dollars from the donees anyway.

I'd rather give $ directly to the recipients, I don't need CFC administration taking a cut.

Agree with this. We just donate to our charities outside of the CFC.

I'm another who feels this way.

I have not reduced my charitable contributions. We're both Feds, but we live comfortably and have it to give, so we do.

[Anonymous]

I probably won't give this year through CFC. Pay freeze has been extended, costs of living going up, etc. I used to just give a check for a set amount, I never did the paycheck withdrawal thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I agree - especially after the whole United Way scandal a few years ago. UW was administering the CFC program at the time, the head of UW was stealing money, it's executives were spending lavishly and there was a bunch of other crap going on. I decided never to donate through CFC again. I'd rather my charities of choice get more of what I send them instead of paying overhead twice.

+1. I also stopped donating to CFC when the United Way/CFC scandal broke. I started using the Catalogue for Philanthropy, among other things, instead. I like that I can specify what my donation should be used for. I feel a bit awkward around my small fed office which pushes for 100% participation, but so be it.

[Anonymous]

With a Democrat in office aren't our tax dollars providing the safety net?

[Anonymous]

I will reduce my giving through CFC to a single donation -- if my supervisor doesn't get his plaque for meeting 100% of our goal or participation (can't remember which) he'll be grumpy. I'll generally be giving outside of CFC this year. I'm not interested helping OPM or CFC look good. Its such a crock any way, my boss's major charity is his son's private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have never contributed. I make my own decision on when to to who to give.

Me too. I donate physical items year round and help out families lose to me--my cleaning lady, gym daycare lady, and my nanny. I would give those women and their kids the shirt off my back.

I hate the BS with CFC each year-- like management's bonuses are tied o how much we give.

[Anonymous]

CFC is bullshit. Why is it necessary to have people at work jalapeno business about what you do with your money and donations. I can do that on my own time. Cut out those middle men, the paperwork, and the lost hours of that stupid administrivia and use the money elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

I stopped donating to the CFC when they disallowed the ACLU Foundation and other charities. I would also rather give individually, and I think allowing employers to know to whom you are giving is a recipe for trouble.