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Feds Can Now Donate to Ukraine Relief Efforts Directly From Their Paychecks
Between now and June 30, federal workers can pledge to donate to thousands of charities working on relief efforts in Ukraine as part of a special round of the Combined Federal Campaign.
The Office of Personnel Management on Monday announced that it has started a special round of the federal government’s annual giving drive to benefit thousands of charities helping those affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Between now and June 30, federal workers can pledge to their choice of more than 5,000 approved Combined Federal Campaign charities, many of whom are working on issues related to the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees, helping to meet food, medicine, housing and other needs.
“Through the annual Combined Federal Campaign, members of the federal family demonstrate that our commitment to public service extends far beyond the workplace,” said OPM Director Kiran Ahuja, in a statement announcing the special round of fundraising. “In this moment of need, our efforts should focus on assisting the people of Ukraine.”
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, experts estimated last month that nearly 4 million Ukrainians have fled the country, while an additional 6 million have been displaced but have so far remained in the country.
In a memo to agency heads announcing the decision, Ahuja said the campaign will allow federal workers to make donations to charities working to help Ukrainians directly from their paychecks, using an online portal.
“International, national and local health and human welfare organizations in the CFC are positioned to supplement these efforts by providing critical services and partnership during this crisis,” Ahuja wrote. “[This] special solicitation provides an opportunity for federal employees, members of the military, postal workers and retirees to create a new gift or an extra gift to support their favorite CFC-participating charities online or through the CFC mobile giving app.”
Under the special solicitation, 100% of gifts made in the campaign will go to feds’ chosen charities, without a distribution fee, and pledged funds will be paid to those charities by the 15th of the month after the campaign’s administrator receives a receipt of the donation. And although changes to automatic payroll deductions for CFC donations cannot be increased, federal workers who already donated to the 2021 Combined Federal Campaign can make additional donations using credit and debit cards, as well as automated clearing house gifts.
Federal workers and retirees wishing to contribute in the special campaign can do so at cfcgiving.opm.gov.