Eielson guidelines for holiday fundraising

  • Published
  • 354th Fighter Wing Legal Office
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  As the holiday season rolls into town Icemen need to ensure they follow proper federal regulations regarding fundraising. The following is a list of do's and don'ts to follow during a fundraiser.

DON'Ts:

· Don't wear your uniform while asking for donations or prizes from outside businesses. Similarly, don't wear your uniform while doing a fundraiser for your private organization or Unit Advisory Council.

· Don't give the appearance that the Air Force or the DoD is asking for the gift (rather, make sure they understand that the request is coming from a PO or UAC only).

· Don't use any Air Force or DoD symbol or shield on any written materials, i.e., letters, flyers, brochures, posters, etc.

· Don't use government-owned equipment or tools while doing the fundraiser. A good example of this would be a private organization from the vehicle maintenance shop using government-owned tools to fix privately owned vehicles for a fundraiser. While some de minimis uses are okay, such as a private organization using an office table to hold baked goods for a bake sale, in general, don't use government property to earn money.

· Don't use the government e-mail system to advertise your fundraiser. While you may use the government e-mail system to notify your private organization's members of various announcements, you should not use the government e-mail system to advertise your fundraiser to the base.

· Don't use Air Force or DoD names or abbreviations in written materials. For example, the phrase "I am writing to you about the 354th XXX Holiday Party," or any similar phrase is prohibited.

· Don't do any fundraising that may require an Alaska gaming license. POs are prohibited from conducting games of chance, lotteries or other gambling activities except in very limited circumstances (e.g. certain types of raffles). See AFI 34-223, para. 10.16

· Don't engage in activities that duplicate or compete with any base Services activities, NAFI, or AAFES.

DOs:

· Do go through the proper channels. This means filling out a written request and submitting it to the 354th Force Support Squadron. The 354th FSS will then coordinate the request through the reviewing channels to the decision authority.

· Do keep in mind that the number of times a PO may do a fundraiser per year are limited. Similarly, fundraisers should not be held during the CFC or AFAF campaigns. While there are a few exceptions in this area, in general, try to avoid holding a fundraiser during these campaigns.

· Do reference AFI 34-223, Private Organizations, AFI 36-3101, Fundraising, and DoD 5500.7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation.

· Do use the following phrase or something similar when asking for donations from businesses, "Our private organization is holding a holiday party (or other function) and are seeking donations from businesses like yours. The attendees will include various military members who are also members of our organization and their families. Would you like to participate?"

· Do use the following phrase on any written materials, "This is a private organization. It is not a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and it has no governmental status."

· Do contact your legal office if you have any questions.