Hello everyone and thank you for joining us for today’s digital CFC kickoff for the Department of Commerce’s CFC Campaign. I’m thrilled that you’ve been able to join us to learn more about the CFC this year. My name is Mark Seiler and I am this year’s CFC Manager for our department. In my day job, I am the Chief Financial Officer for NOAA.

For those of you who are new to the Department of Commerce or new to the CFC, I’ll explain a bit about it. CFC stands for the Combined Federal Campaign, and it is the federal government’s premier workforce giving program. The mission of the CFC is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee-focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.

The CFC’s history starts in 1956, when then-President Dwight Eisenhower formally implemented a program for fundraising within the federal service. It was then expanded under President John F. Kennedy in 1964 to be a ‘combined’ campaign for all of the federal government - and it grew tremendously from raising $12.9 million in 1964 to $82.8 million in 1979.

Today, through the CFC, the federal workforce joins together annually to show some love for our communities and the many charitable organizations that support them. Each associated charity is vetted by the CFC team at the Office of Personnel Management, so you can rest assured that your support is going to make a difference for the people and causes you care about. I volunteered to lead the CFC this year, in part, because philanthropy is incredibly important to me, my family, and my community.

My family volunteers at an organization that helps people in need if they are coming from out of the area or are trying to escape domestic violence. It helps get them set up in an apartment and furnishes it.

Additionally, you never know when you’re going to need assistance. And this happened to me. My mother was aging gracefully and needed to go into assisted living. However, she couldn’t afford the dramatic prices that assisted living cost. Lucky for me, I’ll be forever indebted to the organization that was able to step in and provide a safe place where my mother could age gracefully.

This year the CFC is very different from previous years. Due to the pandemic, many of us are working remotely, so we won’t have the same opportunities to coordinate in-person events as we have in the past. Instead, we will be working to provide digital events, like this one, that can help spread the message about the CFC, encourage participation and promote education and awareness. All of our lives have been changed by this unprecedented moment in our collective history - and that goes for many of the charitable organizations represented by the CFC as well. In the face of this pandemic, we have all been asked to band together, one of the many ways we can do that is by becoming involved in this year’s CFC.

Today we will hear a special message from the Department about the importance of the CFC and its relation to the Department of Commerce. Then we will have a presentation about the history of philanthropy from Dr. Kathi Badertscher, from the Indiana University’s Lilly School of Philanthropy.

Now, let’s learn turn to the history and legacy of philanthropy in the U.S from Dr. Badertscher

Dr. Kathi Badertscher thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. On behalf of myself and our audience of the Department of Commerce, we are incredibly appreciative of your time and sharing your expertise on the topic of philanthropy and its history.

1. To start, I was hoping you could tell us all a bit about your work at Indiana University’s Lilly School of Philanthropy. How did your career lead you there? How do you define philanthropy?

(Dialogue)

2. What are the roots of philanthropy here in the U.S.? What were some of the earliest philanthropic efforts or organizations in the U.S. and what role did they play in communities?

(Dialogue)

3. What were some of the major milestones in bringing Philanthropy to a wider audience and into the mainstream? What are some of the key historical moments or movements in which philanthropy played a large role?

(Dialogue)

4. Traditionally what has been the role of government in the philanthropic sector? How have the public and philanthropic sectors interacted over the years?

(Dialogue)

5. Of late we’ve seen philanthropy undergo a shift in the digital era, with the huge success of initiatives like the Ice Bucket Challenge being just one example. Where do you see philanthropy going in the coming years with the proliferation of new technologies and increased communication?

Dr. Badertcher, it's been great speaking with you today. You've shared some incredible context and knowledge. Modern-day philanthropy certainly has grown and evolved from its earliest iterations, but it is heartening to know how long it has been a tradition and shared cultural value here in the U.S.

Philanthropy looks different to all of us. For some, it's advocating for a cause or spreading awareness. For others it's donating to those in need, or volunteering. But, no matter how it looks, the key is finding what motivates YOU and what YOU are most passionate about. The CFC has some great opportunities for you to learn about the incredible groups in our communities that we can support. I encourage all of you to go to cfcgiving.opm.gov and learn more about how you can get involved in this year's campaign.

Now we will have a short demo of the CFC site that will show you how to register as a new user, log in as a returning user, and browse the CFC charity catalogue.

[DEMO]

I hope that demo helps as you start navigating the CFC. Thanks again to Dr. Badertscher for her time, and thanks to all of you for watching and participating. Be on the lookout for more information from your Bureau's on CFC events in the coming weeks. We’re also going to be hosting another Department wide event in November that will showcase some of the great organizations that the CFC supports. Until next time, thanks for watching.

SECRETARY WILBUR ROSS — REMARKS

At the Combined Federal Campaign Department of Commerce Kickoff

Welcome to the Department of Commerce Kickoff for the 2020 Combined Federal Campaign!

It is a great privilege and honor of mine to usher in this year’s CFC – a federal giving tradition of over 60 years.

It brings me joy to envision how we will again make a substantial difference in countless lives through our participation in this campaign.

President Dwight Eisenhower founded the CFC in 1958.

The Red Cross, and several similar groups that operated on a local level, were among the first to receive support from this noble effort.

11 presidential administrations later, the program has grown, and now routinely raises hundreds of millions of dollars for over 6,000 charities each year.

These charities are vetted by the Office of Personnel Management and represent a wide range of local and national causes from veterans’ affairs and education to medical research and services for our nation’s homeless.

Historically, the Department of Commerce has been responsible for some of the largest contributions to the CFC, and I’m sure we will continue that legacy.

In 2019, 2,804 Commerce employees contributed over $2.4 million of the roughly $86 million raised by the CFC in total.

Members of this department also contributed nearly 2,960 volunteer hours, valued at just over $65,000. 

While I am immensely proud of these achievements, the real reason I stepped forward to be this year’s CFC manager is because charity and philanthropy are deeply important to me.

As Americans, we care about one another.

Our country has weathered many storms thanks to the perseverance of its people and our willingness to extend a helping hand to our neighbors and community members when called upon.

This year, especially, has demonstrated the importance of supporting our fellow countrymen and women.

We have all had to rely on our networks during this most unusual year, and for some, this includes interacting with one of the thousands of charities that rely on the CFC for support.

The unique and unusual circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic also hinder us from raising money for this year’s CFC with the traditional methods, such as bake sales, in-person charity fairs, and similar events.

However, while the circumstances and methods of the 2020 campaign are unique, you’ll find our theme quite familiar.

We shall continue the “Show Some Love” theme that served us so well in 2019 with an added call to “Be the Face of Change.”

This call provides a concrete opportunity for each of us to accomplish the often-nebulous goal of creating change and supporting causes that promote the greater good.

Now I would like us all to take a moment and reflect on our own reasons for giving through the CFC.

Is it to honor someone you know?

Do you feel passionate about giving your time in support of a special cause?

Do you find value in continuing this long running tradition?

Just as we all had our own reasons for dedicating our lives to public service in support of our fellow Americans, we all have our own reasons for giving through the CFC.

There are many ways to make your contribution to this program — via credit card, e-check, payroll deduction or by dedicating your time to a volunteering opportunity.

This year, there will also be a CFC mobile app.

I understand that not all of us are in a position to donate. 

And the coronavirus pandemic has had an unequivocally negative effect on the economy, and I’m sure, many of us here today. 

However, I am optimistic that the economic outlook for our nation and all its citizens is already improving.

Just last week we learned that real GDP rose by a record 33.1 percent in the third quarter.

Consumers are leading the way in this recovery. They spent $2 trillion more in August than they did in April, yet they accumulated $22 trillion in savings between March and September.

This strong economic rebound is owed in no small part to President Donald Trump’s CARES Act, and the continued work of this administration as a whole.

We have cause for great optimism in the near future. 

For those of you who would like to contribute to the CFC, but lack the financial resources to make a donation at this time, I urge you to consider becoming a CFC ambassador, volunteering your time or reaching out to your friends and colleges to speak with them about contributing to this important cause.

If you’re still not sure whether the CFC is for you, I encourage you to visit the website GiveCFC.org or ask your Keyworker for more information.

I hope you will join this wonderful community of caring.

The CFC has always inspired me as it starts with countless acts of individual generosity and sows the seeds of charity and prosperity across the nation.

And you all have also inspired me.

Thank you for the contributions you have made to this nation both in and outside the office, as you serve and support others through your professional responsibilities and annual participation in the Combined Federal Campaign.