Want to make a difference in Alaska? Try local CFC donations

  • Published
  • By Chris McCann
  • JBER PAO
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  If you've been in or worked with the military in November, you've probably heard of the Combined Federal Campaign.

Created in the 1960s, the CFC helped reduce confusion and difficulties when various charities solicited donations from civil service. Presidents from Eisenhower to Nixon gradually streamlined the free-for-all into the CFC as we know it, which allows for payroll deductions and other convenient ways to donate.

According to the CFC website, all charities in the CFC are vetted. Employees can donate knowing that the organizations meet basic requirements for being legitimate charities.
But what if you want to keep your donations local so you can see the impact your donation has?

There are numerous Alaska charities in this year's CFC handbook. Some are even dedicated to helping service members.

To find them, you can get a CFC booklet from your unit representative.
Or you can visit www.alaskacfc.org. Click "Search Charities" and enter "Alaska" and you'll find dozens of local charities, from assistance dogs to the Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher House of Alaska.

Air Force Capt. Michael Frye, the CFC representative for the 3rd Wing, pointed out that local donations can make a big - and visible - difference in the community.

Each CFC listing shows a percentage, which is its administrative and fundraising rate. The lower the percentage, the more of your donation actually goes to the work the charity does.

Frye mentioned the Food Bank of Alaska, which is on the CFC list.

"Their AFR is 3.7 percent," he said. "Almost every penny donated actually goes to buying food."

Victims For Justice, Inc., is an Anchorage-based group that helps victims and families of victims of violent crime, including homicide.

The program offers outreach to rural Alaska, but much of their work is done in the immediate Anchorage area simply due to population.

The Blood Bank of Alaska may conjure images of blood drives - which it does.

But they are on the CFC list, because the bank doesn't only need blood.

"The donations may be used for cookies and juice at blood drives," Frye said. "There's volunteer recruiting and other overhead."

Since it's an Alaska blood bank, it all stays here, and with an AFR of only 13.2 percent, 87 percent of the donation goes toward getting the job done.

The Fisher Houses are particularly close to the hearts of many current and former service members.

The Fisher House of Alaska, located across the street from the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson hospital, is one of many Fisher Houses across the nation.

When a service member is seriously ill or wounded and must stay in the hospital, family often wants to be close. But meals, lodging and other expenses can rack up quickly. The Fisher Houses provide a place for families of sick or injured service members to stay in the house, cook meals there, and be close - sometimes only steps away from their loved one.

Air Force Lt. Col. Andrea Vinyard of the 673d Medical Group is the project liaison for the Fisher House of Alaska.

She said that the 12-room house is slated to be finished in mid-December and families may be able to stay in it even prior to Christmas, although that's not quite certain.

The official grand opening of the facility will take place Feb. 15, and will be attended by the Air Force Chief of Staff.

"It's a home away from home," Vinyard said of the house. "There are pots, pans, dishes. Organizations have donated laptops for the house. Another company donated cable and wi-fi Internet."
Those who want to help the Fisher House can donate consumable goods, like paper towels or laundry detergent, or they can donate time, Vinyard said.

Cookies are often appreciated, as is lawn work, watching the children so couples can have some free time, or just talking to families and offering a shoulder.

CFC donations are also appreciated - although the majority of the work on the house is done, there are always needs.

Why donate through the CFC instead of directly to the charity?

According to the Alaska CFC website, it's easier for charities to process one check from CFC than many checks from individuals. They can also plan their budget and activities better, because they know at the beginning of the year how much donors have pledged to them for the following year.

Payroll deduction is also an easy way to donate a small amount each pay period - and in the end, it creates a larger donation than people could give up front in most cases.
When you sign up for a CFC payroll deduction, the deductions don't start until after the first of the new year.

You don't even have to specify a charity - you can donate any amount to the undesignated fund, which will be parceled out to charities.

If you don't care to donate to Alaska charities, there are thousands of other charities for almost any preference, in your home region, or even national and international organizations.

Alaska CFC's own AFR this year is seven percent - down two percent from last year.

When you fill out the "release of information" section of the form, you permit the charity only to send you a thank-you letter - any other contact must go through the CFC coordinator or you can contact them directly.

And all contributions are tax deductible.