October 13, 2009 
Our report on military charity as the Combined Federal Campaign continues.
By: Erin O’Neill
What Their Website Says…
“The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is the official charity of the United States Air Force incorporated in 1932 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. In 2008, the Air force Aid Society helped over 45,000 Airmen and their families with over $24.3 million in assistance.”
The Gist
Like their counterparts in other branches, the AFAS provides emergency financial assistance to Airmen and their families in times of need, as well as programs, educational opportunities and grants. It’s a private, non-profit organization (that does not raise funds through the CFC) that’s sole purpose is to work and for members of the United States Air Force.
Services
Although the majority of their services are in the form of interest-free loans and grants, which are for “short term or one-time emergencies” and are usually dispersed to cover food, rent, utilities, car problems or emergency travel, they also offer a Respite Care Program for special-needs family members of Airmen and a “Give Parents a Break” opportunity which allows base officials to occasionally offer childcare in the evenings or on weekends to encourage parents to enjoy a night out together. Additionally AFAS supports a variety of other programs including Bundles for Babies, Car Care Because We Care, Child Care for PCS and the Phone Home program as well as a series of educational programs and grants such as the Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) and the Education Grant Program that provides $2,000 grants to dependent children and spouses of Airmen.
Their Mission is….
“The roots of the Society go back to 1942 in response to General Harry “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. [Today] 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 Good
In addition to the excellent array of programs AFAS offers to service members which support and empower their clientele—and the fact that every dollar donated goes to support their emergency assistance programs—they also rely on a “cross-servicing” agreement with both Army Emergency Relief and Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, as well as the Red Cross, to ensure Airmen and their families are always in close proximity to an emergency relief resource. That means, even when an Airman goes IA or their family doesn’t follow them to a new duty station, help is always as close as the nearest relief society, regardless of the branch.
The Bad
While AFAS does offer some aid to Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, they’re only eligible for assistance while serving on “extended active duty 15 days or more” which leaves a lot of reservist Airmen seemingly high and dry.
The Iffy
Their Falcon Loan program, which offers no-interest loans of up to $500 for emergency expenses, can be a great option for unexpected costs, but it’s not available to members who have an outstanding loan with the Society, and has to be repaid in full within ten months. For some members, depending on rank and situation, that can be trickier than it originally sounds.
Overall
A great resource for Airmen and their families facing an unexpected financial burden or looking to go back to school.
http://www.afas.org/