Charity Application Resources for 2025

Important update: CFC's Audit Requirement Pilot

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is conducting an 18-month pilot for the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) effective December 16, 2024, and applicable for the 2025 and 2026 CFC application periods. OPM is modifying the revenue thresholds for the various public accountability standards for charities participating in the CFC. This new pilot increases the regulatory audit threshold requirements for charities submitting full applications for the 2025 application period.  

The CFC application platform will automatically alert you if your organization must submit audited or reviewed financial statements. For more information or questions, please contact [email protected]. 

The following modifications for the 2025 CFC application period are listed below:​​

  • No Audit Requirement: An organization with annual reported revenue of $1,000,000 or less on its IRS form 990 or pro forma IRS Form 990 submitted to the CFC is not required to obtain a financial statement audit, submit reviewed financial statements, or to account for its funds on an accrual basis for CFC purposes. Rather, the organization must certify that it has controls in place to ensure that funds are properly accounted for and that it can provide accurate and timely financial information to interested parties. 
  • Financial Statement Review Only: An organization with annual reported revenue above $1,000,000 and with less than $750,000 in pledges coming from CFC is not required to obtain a financial statement audit. However, the organization must certify that its financial statements are reviewed by an independent accounting firm annually. They may obtain audited financial statements but are not required to for CFC purposes. If they choose to provide an audit, it must be performed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A copy of the reviewed or audited financial statements will be included when required to submit a full application.
  • Financial Statements: An organization with annual reported revenue above $1,000,000 and with $750,000 or more in pledges coming from CFC is required to undergo an annual financial statement audit for CFC purposes. The organization must account for its funds based on generally accepted accounting principles. A copy of the audited financial statements and auditors report must be included with the application. 

Ready to apply? Start your online application by logging in to an existing account or creating a new one.

The red and blue CFC logo with the stars and text "Combined Federal Campaign Foundation"About the CFC

The CFC is one of the largest and most successful annual workplace campaigns, raising millions of dollars each year for organizations like yours. As the only authorized charitable solicitation in the entire Federal workforce, the CFC offers access to a critical source of unrestricted funds and an inexpensive way to attract new donors from the Federal community. Federal employees have the opportunity to give to any participating CFC charity, not just the local charities in their CFC zone. This option to support thousands of organizations allows donors to give to causes like finding cures for diseases, supporting military families, promoting equality for all, youth development, and more, regardless of geographic location.

Application Process Training

Laptop graphic with the Charity Application Online Training ScreenAbout the Process
The application process begins in December when the application system opens for the following campaign. The application period closes at the end of February. Charities receive notification in June from OPM regarding the status of their application. If the application had deficiencies, they can appeal and correct the deficiency. If the application had no deficiencies, charities proceed to the listing phase. 

Ready to apply? Start your online application by logging in to an existing account or creating a new one.

Online Training System
Click here to access the CFC's Online Charity Application Training Module. This training walks you step-by-step through the application process using screen shots from the application system. You can go at your own pace and even have the training on one screen and the application system open on another.

Live Training Webinars
OPM conducted two briefing sessions on the application process. These sessions require pre-registration. Click the links below to register for one of these sessions and receive the link to the webinar.

CFC Applications for NEW Charities Webinar (click to watch a recording of the session)

  • Intended audience:Charities applying for the first time or charities that have new staff members completing the application for the first time. This 90-minute session took place on Tuesday, Nov 19.

CFC Applications for Currently Participating Charities and Federations (click through to watch a recording of the session)

  • Intended audience: charities that have applied for the CFC in the past and are looking for an overview on this year's application process during the first hour, and special information for federations during the second hour

Q&A Sessions
Several live Q&A sessions will be scheduled in December, January, and February. Stay tuned for details on how to register to participate in these sessions and hear the OPM charity application experts answer live questions about the process. Click below to register to attend one (or more) of these sessions. You can also submit questions in advance for the team to answer.

2025 Eligibility Determination Timeline

(more dates will be coming soon!)

Grey calendar icon with a $ and a stick figureDec 1, 2024 - CFC Online Application System opens

Jan 31, 2025 - Regulatory deadline for 2025 CFC applications and pay application fee

Feb 28, 2025 - Late filing deadline for 2025 CFC applications (late fee will be assessed)

mid-June 2025 - Target date for OPM to notify organizations of eligibility decisions

late-June 2025 - Last day to file an appeal (appeals must be submitted no later than 10 business days after notification)

mid-August 2025 - Target date for decisions by OPM on all appeals

mid-August, 2025 - Regulatory deadline for approved charities to complete listing information and pay listing fee

late-August 2025 - Late filing deadline for approved charities to complete listing information and pay late listing fee
                         Note: Late-listing charities may not appear in the PDF version fo the Charity List brochure.

Resource Library

Pencil and paper iconClick on the links below to download each resource. 

Charity Application User Guide - a comprehensive walkthrough of the application process in PDF format.

2025 CFC Fee Schedule - revised application and listing fees for the 2025 CFC

CFC Memo 2018-09 - OPM memo with guidance on Step 4 of the application process: Areas of Service

Areas of Service Examples - concrete examples of what to include in the Areas of Service portion of your application

"Doing Business As" - if your charity uses a DBA, review these instructions

Application Review Checklist - three versions available to help ensure your application is complete: for federations, for independent or member charities, for FSYA/FSYP/MWR organizations

Pro Forma 990 - if you don't file a 990 with the IRS, you will need to complete the highlighted portions of this form to submit with your application 2022 Pro Forma 990, 2023 Pro Forma 990, or 2024 Pro Forma 990.

Sample Financial Statements - Wondering about the differences between reviewed financial statements and audited financial statements? Check out these samples.

Need a print copy? - Follow these instructions to print your application or print your application fee receipt.

Let us know...

Help us improve by providing your feedback on the CFC and the application process. (Link to the feedback form coming soon!)