By Marie G. Rivers

Want to help the National Right to Life Educational Trust Fund protect the lives of the innocent? It is easier and more convenient than you might imagine--giving at your workplace.

The National Right to Life Educational Trust Fund has participated in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) since 1982. During those nearly twenty years, the Trust Fund has shared proceeds with its state affiliate groups who use these invaluable resources to educate their communities about pro-life issues.

Federal employees will find the National Right to Life Educational Trust Fund listed alphabetically in their CFC brochure under the workplace federation called Human Service Charities of America (HSCA). NRL's agency number is #10542. There are also state employee and private sector campaigns through which you can contribute. (More about that in a moment.)

Once the United Way was virtually the only avenue for workplace giving. But in the early 1980s the Office of Personnel Management created an annual giving campaign--the CFC--so that government employees could more easily and directly help out their favorite 501©3 charities.

In addition, since then, about half of our state governments also began to offer employee campaigns to their employees. The Trust Fund currently participates in the following state campaigns: District of Columbia, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

How do you contribute? State employees will find NRL listed alphabetically under HSCA's sister federation called Neighbor to Nation (NTN).

What if you work in the private sector? Private sector companies do not require an application process. Donors merely write-in the name of the charity they would like to give to. Many companies participate.

Each year, the pool of money the NRL Trust Fund distributes to state affiliate groups is used in varied and creative ways.
Carol Tobias of the Right to life of New Mexico, for instance, writes, "Money received through the CFC helps to fund the fair booth, as well as provide literature to interested New Mexicans." North Carolina Right to Life's President Barbara Holt shares that her state "uses proceeds from the CFC distribution to purchase educational materials for our fair booths and provide materials upon request to individuals of all ages."

Jennifer Kistler, Development Associate for Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, reports that workplace campaigns "are used to create new educational brochures and resources, help support MCCL's educational programs such as Student Day, Fall Tour and the MCCL Speaker's Bureau, and connect abortion-minded women to life-affirming pregnancy care centers in their area."

Whether you are a federal or state government employee or work in the private sector, chances are you have a workplace giving venue to assist the National Right to Life Educational Trust Fund in helping to protect innocent pre-born babies, elderly and disabled persons.

The giving period for the CFC begins in September and goes through November. Kick off and closing dates vary for each 350+ CFC headquarters.

Just to re-emphasize what I mentioned above,

*Federal employees will find the National Right to Life Educational Trust Fund (agency #10542) listed alphabetically in their CFC brochure (under workplace federation HSCA) which is distributed in the fall giving period between September and November.

*State employees will find NRL listed alphabetically under HSCA's sister federation called Neighbor to Nation (NTN). Activity dates vary from state to state so simply check with yours.

*Finally, private sector employees can check with their personnel departments to inquire about an existing "write-in" campaign.

For further information on workplace giving, contact Marie G. Rivers at: mrivers@nrlc.org.  Thank you so much!