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.

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.

A: The AFAS has always relied on individual donations to fund its activities. Air Force people have generously contributed to the Society throughout its 70-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.

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.

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.

A: EVERY DOLLAR DONATED to to the Society supports our emergency assistance, education, and community enhancement programs. In 2011, the Society received almost $6.3 million in donations, including $4.5 million from the Air Force Assistance Fund drive. During the same year, AFAS provided over $17.7 million in total support to Airmen and their families. This results in a 281% ratio of direct support to contributions. Fortunately, loan paybacks made during the year and investment portfolio income allow the Society to satisfy 100% of emergency assistance requirements in addition to funding the education and community enhancement programs. The returns generated by the Society's investment portfolio also enable the Society to pay for the conservative operating costs necessary to run the organization.

A: The Air Force Aid Society is fortunate to have built up a generous reserve fund over the years to help fund our programs developed to assist Airmen and their families. By the end of 2011, the Society's investment portfolio was valued at approximately $148 million. These funds are subject to the careful oversight of the AFAS Headquarters managerial staff and the AFAS Finance Committee with professional investment oversight provided by a third party investment advisor hired to help manage the portfolio. Despite the Society's conservative approach to investing, the portfolio lost almost 24% during the market downturn in 2008 and has yet to fully regain the losses incurred during the downturn. Since the Society's program spending averages approximately $20 million per year and we receive about $7 million in donations annually, the Society must pull from the reserve investment portfolio to fund the normal annual program requirements and overhead costs. Our reserve also gives us the flexibility to adapt to change and be prepared to assist with significant unforeseen emergencies such as natural disasters.

A: Over 40,000 Air Force members and their families were helped with nearly $18 million in assistance last year.

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.

A: They are eligible when serving on extended active duty 15 days or more under Title 10, U.S. Code.

A: AFAS Sections are located at bases throughout the world. Most are located in Airman 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.

A: AFAS maintains a cross-servicing agreement with emergency relief organizations of the Army, Coast Guard and Navy/Marine Corps 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.

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.

A: The Society is always examining ways to be more responsive to the Air Force community. 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, which may result in their being unable to cope with the stresses of everyday life. Under the Respite Care Program, Base Family Advocacy personnel identify situations where financial assistance for child/adult care would be beneficial. Your Base Family Advocacy Officer can provide additional information. In addition, many bases now offer the "Give Parents a Break" program which enables base officials to offer periodic child care at specified evening and weekend times. This is particularly helpful when a spouse is deployed or other personal emergencies occur. Other programs, such as Bundles for Babies, Car Care Because We Care, Child Care for PCS, and the Phone Home program are currently available at many bases.

A: The numbers speak for themselves! 94% 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.

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 apply every year to 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.