Search News

Cannon News

Private organizations, fundraisers

  • Published
  • By Capt. Edwin Kisiel
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Judge Advocate
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  As the holiday season approaches, many private organizations will be looking for ways to raise money for unit holiday parties. There are some key points to keep in mind when planning PO fundraising activities at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.

The legal office cannot provide advice directly to POs since our client is the Air Force as a whole. However, we work with the PO Monitor's office to ensure fundraising complies with appropriate regulations. Questions from a PO should be directed to Juan Alvarez, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron PO monitor, at 575-784-2753.

All fundraising activities by a PO must be approved through the appropriate channels. This is done by applying at the PO Monitor's office for approval to hold a fundraiser. A PO is limited to two fundraisers per calendar quarter. Additionally, you must be off-duty and in civilian attire while conducting a fundraiser.

There are strict limitations on fundraisers during the Combined Federal Campaign or Air Force Assistance Fund since PO fundraising may detract from those campaigns. This year's CFC will run from Oct. 29 through Dec. 7.

The two fundraisers per quarter limitation apply to off-base and on-base fundraisers, whether base-wide or within a unit. This also includes donation letters. The limitation does not apply to the sale of unit memorabilia to members from the unit, as long as the PO chartering documentation allows it, or purchased items shared among unit members, such as a snack fund.

For continuous resale activities, a PO will have to coordinate through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service general manager to ensure that they are not competing with AAFES. For certain fundraisers, such as paintball tournaments that involve a degree of risk along with the activity, a PO will need to show independent proof of insurance covering the event.

One of the most important things to keep in mind is that a PO cannot use government resources, such as email, or government computers or printers to make flyers to advertise for a fundraiser. This is strictly prohibited under the Joint Ethics Regulation and Air Force Instruction 34-223: Private Organizations. A PO may have its status revoked by the PO monitor for violations.

Good ideas for advertising that do not involve use of federal resources are either utilizing Facebook or distributing privately created flyers. Word of mouth is the best way to advertise, but military members are reminded that they cannot endorse any PO activities in their official capacity.

We recommend that PO members familiarize themselves with AFI 34-223 and AFI 36-310: Fundraising within the Air Force, when conducting fundraising activities. Failure to follow the rules may result in suspension of a PO's status.

Press Releases