Combined Federal Campaign of South Hampton Roads

Combined Federal Campaign of South Hampton Roads Process

United Way of South Hampton Roads administers to Combined Federal Campaign for Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and eight counties in Northeast North Carolina and serves as PCFO for the CFC for Albemarle Area United Way.

Your brochure comes from OPM who reviews all national and international applications. Local agencies are reviewed by the Local Federal Campaign Committee (LFCC). Charities are allowed to submit annual applications for eligibility in the CFC. After all applications are reviewed by the LFCC they then determine each charity's eligibility based on Federal Regulations and OPM requirements. Ineligible agencies are notified in writing by certified mail that they may appeal the decision within a set period. Appeals are reviewed locally first and if denied may be appealed in writing to OPM within a set period of time. All approved agencies are included in the brochure in the local listing.

The CFC campaign is a six week campaign with the open months from 1 September to 15 December of each year. The overall campaign planning and follow-up are done during the rest of the year.

All aspects of the campaign are governed by OPM; oversight is governed by the LFCC where in South Hampton Roads the standing chair is Commander, Navy Region, Mid-Atlantic and who approves a Principal Combined Fund Organization on a yearly application process.

In our local area there are 11 geographic areas under the LFCC which are represented by a military or civilian on the LFCC. Two year round full time staff and 2 part time staff administer the campaign.

The first meeting for the LFCC is normally held March as a training session for the representatives and a brief on the upcoming campaign year. Additional meetings include selecting local agencies for the brochure, and during the campaign, biweekly meetings with the LFCC. See the current campaign schedule under Campaign Volunteers.

Each CO/Activity Head will receive a letter outlining the CFC, selection of a command coordinator, and upcoming events. The letter will include information for the command coordinator and a four year giving history and other pertinent information.

The PCFO (United Way) is responsible for inventory, revision, and production of all campaign materials and the purchase of awards as necessary. Materials are packaged for all commands and activities based upon permanent personnel assigned. Materials are distributed at the beginning of the campaign at several training sites with the assistance and presence of the LFCC. The training covers the brochure, pledge card (how to fill it out), campaign organization, solicitation, and to answer any question.

After the initial training, the command coordinator and the account manager complete most of the campaign functions-from training, speakers/tours, fundraising ideas, collection of pledge cards and statistical analysis. Campaign progress is monitored by the LFCC and PCFO. As the campaign winds down, the CFC staff pushes the commands to complete their campaigns before 15 December. The staff and command coordinators are involved in the distribution of leadership awards. The Campaign Chair and the LFCC are briefed during the campaign as to campaign progress. Each LFCC area commander is encouraged to publish weekly statistics on CFC progress by message or through local papers.

The campaign completion is celebrated with certificates of appreciate to coordinators and key workers. Commands or Activities who exceeded their goal are awarded Goal Buster Plaques or year bars.