Dear fellow changemakers:

This is it—the final week to make your CFC pledge. The online CFC giving system closes Saturday, Jan. 15. This is our last opportunity to finish strong and have an impact on the lives of many. Please support our goal of raising $1.72 million. With your generosity, we can help our local communities. If you have not already pledged, start your new year off with a gift that will keep on giving all year long through a recurring payroll deduction or one-time pledge, and be the face of change with all of us in the federal community.

CFC goes beyond helping individuals and communities, it builds our leadership skills, self-confidence and relationships. I have had the pleasure to hear from USDA employees who foster animals, tutor underprivileged youth, help veterans enter the civilian workforce and spend time at their local food pantries. Employees benefit from participating in the campaign and their learnings contribute to making USDA one of the best places to work. You each have inspired me in your own ways, and you each represent the face of change through the caring CFC community—one I am very proud to be a part of.

In these last days of the CFC, we are looking to show the strength of the federal community and make the greatest impact possible. Some people might say it takes an extraordinary person to care enough to give, but it is more common than you think, and it is easy! Anyone can be a changemaker through the CFC. To date, through the generosity of USDA employees we have raised $1.48 million.

My favorite way to pledge is through the online portal. It is a comprehensive and quick, flexible and secure way to make a difference. With our gifts, we can help an individual we may never meet or community we may never visit, and they will feel our impact for years to come. If you gave last year, your account is already set up to renew your previous pledge easily—if you are able, consider increasing your gift by 10% this year, or supplementing it with a pledge of volunteer time, or a $60 one-time gift to celebrate 60 years of CFC giving.

Also, don’t forget to complete the CFC Through the Decades quiz and get your digital Changemaker Badge. That is one more way you can be the face of change for the charitable causes you support.

Thank you for being a part of the strong, caring CFC community, dedicated to making a difference for those in need. It has been an honor and a privilege serving as your campaign manager this year.

Your actions today empower a world of change tomorrow. Pledge your gift by visiting GiveCFC.org.

Sincerely,

Astrid Martinez (she/her)

USDA CFC Campaign Manager