The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has once again qualified for inclusion in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).
The CFC is the only officially sanctioned program for soliciting federal government employees on behalf of charitable organizations. The CFC conducts annual campaigns in the federal workplace and allows federal employees to make donations through payroll deductions or other forms of payment to an approved list of charities. It's part of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
The FFRF, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was first included on the CFC list of eligible charities in 2008. "Federal workers had contacted the Foundation in the past, noting the many religious charities on the listing, and wishing there were a nontheist alternative," said Annie Laurie Gaylor, Foundation co-president. "We're delighted to announce now again in 2009 that our activities throughout the United States, including the many scholarships we grant students, helped FFRF meet the rigorous eligibility criteria."
The Foundation also may be the first and only state/church watchdog on the list. All dues and donations to the Freedom From Religion Foundation are deductible for income-tax purposes.
"Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc." will appear in the listing of "National/International Independent Organizations" that's published in each local campaign charity list in the early fall.
The solicitation period for 2009 campaign donations is Sept. 1 through Dec. 15, 2009. The CFC code that donors will use to designate their contribution to FFRF is 32519.