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- What is the Air Force Aid Society?
- Is the Air Force Aid Society an official USAF organization?
- Where does the AFAS get its funding?
- Why isn’t AFAS part of the CFC?
- Do donations cover all AFAS assistance disbursements each year?
- How much of donated dollars is spent on AFAS programs?
- How much money do you keep in reserve?
- How many Air Force people did the Society help in 2007?
- Who is eligible for AFAS assistance?
- Are Air National Guard and Air Force Reservists eligible for AFAS help?
- How are AFAS Sections organized in the field... in other words, who does someone at base level contact for assistance?
- What if an Air Force member needs help but isn't near an Air Force Base?
- What kind of assistance does the AFAS normally provide?
- Does the Society have any other programs?
- It's obvious that the AFAS has active programs and ambitious goals. But how can you be sure that you are helping the right people?
- What programs are sponsored by the Society to help Air Force members pay for education costs?
Q: What is the Air Force Aid Society?
A: The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is the official charity of the United States Air Force incorporated in 1942 as a non-profit organization whose mission is to help relieve financial distress of Air Force members and their families and to assist them in financing their higher education goals.
The roots of the Society go back to 1942 in response to General Henry "Hap" Arnold's concern that members of his Army Air Forces faced unique hardships in meeting the challenges of World War II. He wanted a national organization which could provide emergency assistance to the wives and children of war victims and assure the availability of educational assistance to those families.
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Q: Is the Air Force Aid Society an official USAF organization?
A: No. The AFAS is a private non-profit organization. However, since the Society exists ONLY to help Air Force people there are close ties to the official Air Force. The Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel acts as the Society's principal liaison with the Air Force, publishing a directive authorizing support for AFAS activities at base level.
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Q: Where does the AFAS get its funding?
A: The AFAS has always relied on individual donations to fund its activities. Air Force people have generously contributed to the Society throughout its 66-year history. Early donations funded emergency assistance programs and allowed the Society to put some money aside in an investment fund for contingencies and future programs. That investment fund now earns income which is used to supplement annual contributions so that all emergency assistance needs can be met, education programs can be strengthened, and community enhancement initiatives can thrive.
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Q: Why isn't AFAS part of the CFC?
A: AFAS is one of four Air Force charities that receive donations through the Air Force Assistance Fund (AFAF) campaign. These AFAF charities are different from the CFC charities in that they provide services exclusively to the military (active/retired/guard/reserves and their families)—and deny service to the general public. The CFC was created in 1957 to provide a single fundraising campaign where Federal/military employees could combine all fundraising for the civilian community into a single annual campaign. The idea of combining the AFAF campaign with the CFC campaign was tried in 1972-1973. The result was that both the CFC and AFAF policy makers were unhappy. CFC policy makers objected to including the AFAF charities that discriminated by providing service only to Air Force members because they felt it violated the core reason for the CFC which was to open federal/military doors to the outside charities. Contributions to the internal AFAF charities plummeted as their mission became lost in the larger CFC campaign. As a result, the first totally independent AFAF campaign was held in 1974 and has continued as a single annual separate internal campaign since.
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Q: Do donations cover all AFAS assistance disbursements each year?
A: All donations are applied to emergency assistance disbursements. In addition to donations, the Society relies on paybacks of existing loans and investment fund income to satisfy emergency needs.
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Q: How much of donated dollars is spent on AFAS programs?
A: EVERY DOLLAR DONATED to the Society supports our emergency assistance programs. Fortunately, loan paybacks and investment fund income allow us to satisfy 100% of emergency assistance requirements and then fund education and community enhancement programs. This added income also enables us to absorb conservative operating costs. In 2007, we provided $19.1 million in support to Airmen and their families and our donations for the year totaled just over 7 million. That makes our ratio of support to contributions 272%.
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Q: How much money do you keep in reserve?
A: At the end of 2007, AFAS had approximately $170M in reserve. The Air Force Aid Society is fortunate to have a generous asset reserves balance due to careful oversight by the AFAS Headquarters managerial staff, the Finance Committee and our professional investment managers. Since our program expenses average about $20 million and donations have been about $6.5 million, we need to use approximately 6% of these reserves annually to meet program expenses. Our reserve also gives us the flexibility to adapt to change and be prepared for unforeseen emergencies such as natural disasters.
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Q: How many Air Force people did the Society help in 2007?
A: Over 35,000 Air Force members and their families were helped with more than $19 million in assistance last year.
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Q: Who is eligible for AFAS assistance?
A: Active duty and retired Air Force members and their dependents are eligible for AFAS assistance, as are the dependents of deceased Air Force personnel who died on active duty or in retired status.
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Q: Are Air National Guard and Air Force Reservists eligible for AFAS help?
A: They are eligible when serving on extended active duty 15 days or more under Title 10, U.S. Code. Title 32 AGR are now eligible for emergency travel due to the serious illness or death of an immediate family member and AFAS will consider other unique requests on a case by case basis.
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Q: How are AFAS Sections organized in the field... in other words, who does someone at base level contact for assistance?
A: AFAS Sections are located at bases throughout the world. Most are located in Airmen and Family Readiness Centers, with a few in the Military Personnel Flight. In all cases, the local AFAS Officer is familiar with the conditions and people so personal attention can be given to every request for assistance.
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Q: What if an Air Force member needs help but isn't near an Air Force Base?
A: AFAS maintains a cross-servicing agreement with emergency relief organizations of the Army and Navy so Air Force people can request help through those offices when no AF facility is relatively close to the member/family. Local Red Cross offices will also provide assistance when there is no military base or post nearby and then will be reimbursed by Hq AFAS.
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Q: What kind of assistance does the AFAS normally provide?
A: Most AFAS interest-free loans and grants are for short term or one-time emergencies such as food, rent, and utilities. We also help with car repair and emergency travel requirements. Each case, regardless of the request, is treated individually, and the Society will review all requests for assistance and try to help if the assistance falls within the general thrust of the AFAS charter.
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Q: Does the Society have any other programs?
A: The Society is always examining ways to be more responsive to the Air Force community. For example, the Society has committed resources through its Respite Care program to help Air Force active duty personnel who have "special needs" family members. These families face daily challenges, both personal and financial that may result in their being unable to cope with the stresses of everyday life. In addition most bases now offer our Give Parents a Break program which offers periodic child care at specified evening and weekend times. Other programs, such as Car Care Because We Care, Child Care for PCS, and the Phone Home program are also currently available at most bases.
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Q: It's obvious that the AFAS has active programs and ambitious goals. But how can you be sure that you are helping the right people?
A: The numbers speak for themselves! Approximately 85% of emergency assistance dollars went to active duty members and their families in grades E-6 and below. The remainder went to other active duty, retirees, widows, and ANG/Reserve members.
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Q: What programs are sponsored by the Society to help Air Force members pay for education costs?
A: The Society currently offers several education programs which help offset some expenses of higher education. The Education Grant Program provides $2,000 grants to dependent children and spouses. These grants may be used toward payment of tuition, books and fees, or other direct education expenses. The program is competitive in nature and students must demonstrate financial need to be eligible. Secondly, the Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) provides tuition supplements to dependent spouses of active duty airmen and officers at all overseas locations. This program emphasizes the completion of degree/certificate programs that reasonably enhance occupational opportunities.
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