Scientists and administrators from across NIEHS united last fall to raise more than $75,000 for the 2017 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). These contributions, along with those of others at the National Institutes of Health, are targeted to more than 24,000 charities worldwide.

“Fall is always a tough time for many, especially parents, because there’s so much going on,” said Matthew Burr, chief of staff of the NIEHS Office of Management (OM). “Even so, our people at NIEHS never fail to rise to the challenge. Because of that, a lot of charities now have extra funds to use when planning their budgets for 2018.”

Although the final tally was not yet available at press time, Burr estimated the final figure would be approximately $80,000. He co-chaired this year’s CFC campaign with Tonya McMillan and Jenn Evans, also from OM.
A legacy of caring
Since 1961, CFC has sought to support philanthropy through an employee-focused program that is cost-efficient and effective in providing federal workers the chance to improve life for others. Today, CFC is the leading employee giving program in the country, raising more than $5 billion cumulatively for charity.

“NIEHS routinely ranks among the most generous institutes in all of NIH,” said NIEHS and National Toxicology Program Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D. “Whether it’s donating to CFC or volunteering for hurricane relief, they’re always ready to help. I’m so very proud to be a part of that.”
(Ian Thomas is a public affairs specialist in the NIEHS Office of Communications and Public Liaison, and a regular contributor to the Environmental Factor.)