Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Toolkit

Reaching Retiree Donors

The Fastest Growing
CFC Donor Group

In 2025, the number of federal retirees is projected to surpass the combined total of active military and current federal employees

Federal retirees are poised to remain among the most active and fastest-growing group of CFC-eligible donors. Nearly 28% of the federal workforce is 55 or older. The average retirement age in 2022 was 62.3, though it should be noted that this is up nearly five years from 1998. At the same time, the federal workforce is aging overall: in 2024, nearly twice as many employees were in their 60s (14.8%) compared to those in their 20s (7.8%). This demographic shift means retirement-age employees now outnumber younger workers nearly two to one, creating the potential for about 100,000 new donors each year if awareness of the CFC continues to grow.

Federal retirees can continue supporting charities through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) by giving from their annuity, credit/debit card, or bank account. If they already have a recurring pledge via the CFC Online Giving System, it will continue automatically for the rest of the calendar year. Those who had payroll deductions must log into their account, update their profile to “retiree,” and switch the pledge source to “annuity.” Retirees without an existing pledge can easily start one online. This allows them to keep giving back to causes they care about even after leaving federal service.

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Strategies for Reaching Retirees

As retirees become one of the fastest-growing groups of CFC donors, CHC is equipping our nonprofit partners with strategies to help reach this audience more effectively.

Please feel free to adapt any of the sample graphics and messages in this toolkit. If you would like to develop your own content, consider these approaches to guide your outreach:

  • Email Campaigns – Segment your lists to reach federal employees approaching retirement or those who have already retired. Highlight stories of retirees who continue to give through the CFC and emphasize easy pledge options like annuity deductions. Short subject lines such as “Keep your impact strong in retirement” can resonate with this audience. If you have less segmentation information on your audience, you can include a simple note in your eNewsletters, annual reports, or other outlets. * Paid segmented email campaigns are also an option through many of the digital advertising platforms included in this section.
  • Digital Advertising – Retirees are active online, especially on platforms like AARP.org, Federal News Network, and Government Executive. Display ads and retargeting campaigns on these sites can help keep CFC giving top of mind. Additional outlets include:
    • Military OneSource
    • Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
    • Blue Star Families
    • NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association)
    • FEDweek
    • FFEBA (Federal Employee Benefits Education Association)
  • Social Media & Influencers – Retirees often rely on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube for information and community. Consider partnering with federal retiree associations, military spouse networks, or well-known voices in the public service community to share authentic stories about continued giving.
  • Mobilize Your Base – Encourage current donors to reach out personally to colleagues who are retiring soon. A short testimonial or social post from a longtime donor can carry more weight than organizational messaging alone.
  • Storytelling and Gratitude – Share the stories of retirees who stayed connected to the causes they care about through the CFC. Publicly thank them on your website and in social channels. Recognition reinforces a culture of service and inspires peers to follow their example.

Sample Outreach Language

EMAIL:

Identifying retirees has long been recognized as a best practice for nonprofits seeking major gifts or legacy contributions. These individuals often have deep connections to the causes they care about and the capacity to make meaningful, lasting impacts. The same strategies used to engage retirees for major giving can be applied to reach federal and military employees who are eligible to give through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Include this sample language in your outreach to these potential donors.

Subject Line Options:

  • An Easy Way to Continue Your Legacy of Service
  • Federal & Military Retirees: Grow Your Impact in Retirement
  • Serve Communities You Care About—Even in Retirement

Dear <>

Even after leaving federal service, your commitment to making a difference does not have to stop. Through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), federal and military retirees can continue supporting the causes they care about most. Giving is simple, flexible, and secure. You can donate from your annuity, bank account, or credit/debit card, and recurring gifts continue automatically if you already have a pledge. Retirees who previously gave through payroll deductions can easily update their profile to switch to annuity giving.

The CFC ensures every nonprofit is carefully reviewed and vetted, providing a trusted way to give to organizations that make a real difference in communities nationwide. Thousands of retirees are already keeping their legacy of service alive through the CFC, supporting programs that reflect their values and priorities. With just a few clicks, you can join them and continue the tradition of public service that has defined your career. Retirement is a new chapter of service and an opportunity to leave a lasting impact.

Newsletter Blurb Options:

Federal and Military Retirees Can Give Through the Combined Federal Campaign

Retirement can be a new chapter of service. Continue supporting nonprofits you believe in through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), a secure and trusted way to give. Thousands of military and federal retirees are already making a lasting impact. Join them and keep your legacy of service alive.

A Note of Thanks to Our Federal and Military Retirees

Your years of service made a difference and your giving can, too. The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) makes it simple for retirees to support vetted charities, ensuring your contributions help the causes that matter most. Giving is simple, flexible, and secure.  Keep giving, stay connected, and inspire the next generation of public servants.

TALKING POINTS FOR RETIREES:

  • History and Trust
    • Established with bipartisan support in 1961, the CFC is one of the world’s largest and most trusted workplace giving campaigns.
    • For over 60 years, the CFC has provided a secure and reliable way for federal and military employees to support causes they care about.
  • Proven Impact
    • Federal and military employees have donated more than $9 billion to nonprofits nationwide.
    • Contributions support programs in every community, from health and education to disaster relief and social services.
  • Continued Giving in Retirement
    • Retirement does not mean the end of giving. Federal and military retirees can continue supporting charities through annuity deductions, bank accounts, or credit/debit cards.
    • Recurring gifts can continue automatically, making it easy to sustain support year after year.
  • Security and Accountability
    • Every nonprofit in the CFC is carefully reviewed and vetted to ensure donations go to trusted organizations.
    • Donors can give with confidence, knowing their contributions make a meaningful difference.
  • Easy Participation
    • Updating pledges or starting a new one is simple through the CFC Online Giving System.
    • Whether continuing an existing pledge or starting fresh, retirees can quickly set up secure donations and keep giving without interruption.