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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.