Rhodes Island–S.E. Massachusetts
Elizabeth Comeau, the director of the RI–SEMA PCFO writes that she began working in the not-for-profit world “almost 50 years ago.” She continues, “I chose this work because I cared about my community – just like you. We know the rewards of service far outweigh any benefits we might receive working in the private sector.”
Elizabeth outlines the major changes being advanced by OPM and then pleads with charities to jump in with their own comments:
“I understand … you are all so busy. I understand … many of you do not receive a substantial sum from the CFC. In fact, 85% of the charities that participate in the RI and SEMA CFC receive $1,000 or less in designations I ask you, though, to think about the community first not your particular organization. In 2012, $1,054,060 was pledged by Federal donors. Of that amount, $895,951 (85%) will be disbursed to charities during 2013 whose designations amounted to $1,000 or less. So while the loss to your organization might be $1,000 or less, the loss to our community is HUGE!”
Read the entire letter.
Comment by National CFC Federations
Ten national organizations including several national CFC federations offered a joint comment to OPM earlier this week. The signers included America’s Charities, Christian Service Charities, Community Health Charities, EarthShare, Global Impact, Human Service Charities, Independent Sector, National Black United Fund, United Way, and the YMCA.
The groups state:
“While there are aspects of OPM’s proposed changes that are promising, we believe strongly that any positive impacts will be overshadowed by recommendations that will result in fewer charities able to participate, and decreases in support for those that do. This will in turn impact services to local communities, including federal workers, and their families, as charities have to cut back on service delivery.”
Read the entire comment.
Federal Times Blog
Sean Reilly, the Federal Times reporter who has written extensively on the CFC, has invited readers to send him comments they have submitted to OPM, so his paper can publish them. He writes:
“OPM isn’t posting the comments online and won’t otherwise release copies without a Freedom of Information Act request (which typically takes months to process). So, if you’ve weighed in on the plan, we’re asking you to send us your comments directly.” [Web page no longer available.]