In This Issue:
- New Donation Page – More Payment Options
- Celebrating the Air Force’s 77th Birthday with First Command
- Mercy Medical Angels Partnership
- Education Support – AFAS Scholarship Impacts
- Success Story
- AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference 2024
- Supporting Organization Spotlight – SAIC
- Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) Benefits
New Donation Page – More Payment Options & Improved Experience
We are excited to announce the launch of our new Donation Page with expanded payment options and an improved donor experience. We believe these improvements will make it easier for supporters to securely contribute to the important work we do to assist Airmen, Guardians, and their families.
Expanded Payment Options:
The page now supports multiple payment options – including Credit Cards, Bank Accounts, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and Google Pay – so donors can choose the most convenient method to meet their needs.
Updated Process:
In addition to offering more ways to give, the step-by-step process is designed to make it easy for users, whether donating on a computer, tablet or smartphone.
Visit www.afas.org/donate to see the improvements and make your donation today.
Celebrating the Air Force’s 77th Birthday with First Command
On September 18, we celebrate the 77th birthday of the U.S. Air Force, honoring the legacy and dedication of the Airmen who serve our nation. In honor of this special occasion, First Command has once again pledged to support AFAS with a matching donation, up to $25,000. This generous match is available through September 20th, so join in the celebration by making a donation and doubling your impact!
First Command is dedicated to improving the financial futures of our Nation’s military families and we appreciate their continued support.
Mercy Medical Angels Partnership
AFAS is pleased to announce a new partnership with Mercy Medical Angels. We provided a $100k grant to help support essential medical transport services for Air Force and Space Force members and their families. This collaboration will provide critical transportation assistance through gas cards, bus and train tickets, volunteer pilots, or commercial airline tickets.
Transportation to medical care will be used to help active duty and retired members and their dependents, dependent spouses and children of deceased personnel, as well as Air Force and Space Force Wounded Warriors. The assistance will focus on these specific types of care:
- Medical Treatment
- PTS/TBI Treatment
- Rehabilitation
- Service Dog Training and Acquistion
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
- Counseling
- Adaptive Sports Events
We are excited about the positive impact this will have on our Air and Space Force communities. To learn more or request assistance, please visit: www.mercymedical.org/angel-wings-for-veterans
Education Support – AFAS Scholarship Impacts
AFAS is proud to support the educational dreams of Air Force and Space Force families through our scholarship programs. This year, we’ve provided significant financial assistance to help students and spouses achieve their goals.
Hap Arnold Grant Program
A total of $3.6M in grant assistance will be awarded for the 2024-2025 academic year. This includes $1.8M for the Fall Semester and another $1.8M for the Spring Semester.
Merit & Grit Scholarships
For 2024, a total of $200K was awarded to 40 incoming college freshman students (20 recipients for the Merit Scholarship and 20 recipients for the Grit Scholarship)
Bee Arnold Spouse Tuition Program
Year-to-date this program has provided over $102K to 54 military spouses. Applications are still being accepted and offer up to $2,500 for job training and part-time undergraduate degree programs at accredited institutions. Spouses who are approved will now be eligible for an Education Childcare Grant to help supplement the cost of childcare needed to pursue their degree or certification.
To learn more about our education programs and how we help, please visit our website.
Success Story
Congratulations to Kimberly J., who received a Bee Arnold Spouse Tuition grant this year and used it to pass the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) certification exam!
Kimberly shared:
“Your team’s dedication to helping military spouses like me advance in their careers is truly commendable. The financial support for the SHRM exam materials and fee lifted a significant burden. This certification is a crucial step for my career, and I am confident it will open many doors for professional growth.”
This program is still open for applications. Spouses can start their application today by visiting our website.
AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference 2024
Our team is excited to attend and exhibit at the Air & Space Forces Association Air, Space & Cyber Conference September 16-18 in National Harbor, Maryland. With the theme “Achieving Decisive Advantage in an Age of Growing Threats”, this year’s event is a key opportunity to engage with leaders, attendees, and fellow exhibitors – and to support the Air Force and Space Force communities.
Attendees are invited to visit us in Booth #450 and learn more about how we can work together to support Airmen, Guardians and their families!
Supporting Organization Spotlight – SAIC
We are thrilled to spotlight one of our key supporters, SAIC, whose commitment to Air Force Aid Society continues to grow. SAIC was a generous sponsor of the 2024 Air and Space Forces Charity Gala and recently committed $25K to help fund the “Bee” Arnold Spouse Tuition Program. As a founding member of the AFAS Defense Sector Fund we are grateful for their ongoing dedication and look forward to continuing this partnership.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) Benefits
Unlock the potential of your retirement savings with an IRA rollover gift. Also known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), it’s a simple and tax-efficient way for those age 70 ½ or older to donate directly from their IRA to a qualified charity, like Air Force Aid Society.
Benefits include:
- Reduce taxable income
- Counts toward your annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
- Maximum annual limit is $105,000 for 2024 (index adjusted annually)
To learn more or get started, click here and use our giving widget to connect with your IRA custodian and make your gift today.