UW Combined Fund Drive

About the UWCFD

Established in 1984, the Combined Fund Drive (CFD) is the state’s workplace giving campaign providing faculty, staff and retirees the opportunity to give to their favorite charities. Since the founding of the CFD, state employees have donated more than $168 million to local, national and international organizations.

Washington State is third in the nation for state employee giving programs. For 40 years, Washington State has proven to be one of the most giving states in the nation. Each year, over 15,000 active and retired public employees pledge more than $4 million to over 1,700 local, national and global charities.

UW employees take the opportunity to give seriously. You’ve heard the call to make a difference – you donate more and volunteer more than anyone else! Think we’re exaggerating? We’re not. Our employees are regularly recognized as some of the most generous with their time and money.

This is YOUR workplace giving campaign. You choose your favorite organization, make a gift and the world becomes a better place. It’s so easy.

How can you become more involved with the UWCFD? Volunteer to serve as your department’s campaign coordinator during the fall campaign. You may also join the UWCFD Events Committee to help promote the campaign and plan and execute campus wide events. Email uwcfd@uw.edu for details.

Combined Fund Drive WACs

What are the administrative costs for the Combined Fund Drive?
The UWCFD is part of the Washington state CFD and the Washington state CFD, like many nonprofits, has an administrative fee to cover costs like rent, salaries, training materials and more. This charge is administered to member charities in the program receiving funds. This fee varies annually based on program donations and expenses. In 2023, the average administrative fee was 11.06%. 

Overall, workplace giving is one of the most cost effective forms of fundraising for a nonprofit organization. The CFD is allowed by state law to deduct reasonable administrative costs* from the campaign contributions to run the campaign (WAC 357-55).

The UW Combined Fund Drive is an official part of state business. That means, with your supervisor’s approval, you can work on CFD business during work time.

The Washington Administrative Codes (WACs) that are used to define the operations of the Combined Fund Drive are under Chapter 434-750. WACs are used much like legislation and the Constitution, and are a source of primary law in Washington State. For more information on WACs, visit the Washington Administrative Code website.

The Combined Fund Drive is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483.