Air Force Aid Society

Last updated
Air Force Aid Society
Founder Henry H. Arnold
TypePublic charity
Headquarters Arlington, Virginia
Area served
Global
Key people
Edward W. Thomas Jr (CEO)
Revenue$20m
Endowment $250m [1]
Employees38
Website afas.org

Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is a non-profit, charitable organization an official charity of the United States Air Force. [2] The AFAS provides various assistance programs for Air Force and Space Force Airmen, Guardians and their families worldwide. [3] These include interest-free loans and grants for short-term or emergencies, Education Grant Program and community enhancement programs. [4] It also provides a Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP). [5] [6] Thanks to investment income and operational leverage, each $1 of donations from airmen is complemented by $2 from other sources. [7]

Contents

As of early 2015, AFAS was paying for a staff of 21 people, all at its headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. In 2023 there were 38 staff members. [8]

History

The Air Force Aid Society was founded in 1942 and is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. [9] The AFAS created the Budget Builder App to help Airman and their families to budget and save money monthly was launched in March 2018. In January 2020, the app was updated to provide customizable budgeting features and a more enhanced expense tracker. [10]

In 2018, the Falcon Loan, created to complement the AFAS Standard Assistance program was increased to a max amount of $1000 for a term of 12 months. [11]

In May 2021, the AFAS began providing assistance to all Airman and Guardians and not only those on an active-duty service. [12] [13]

In 2024, the AFAS provided $4.9 million in emergency financial aid and over $200,000 for child care support. [14]

Major General Edward W. Thomas Jr took on the roll of Chief Executive Officer of AFAS in February 2024. [15]

In June 2025, the AFAS announced changes to two of its child care programs, Give Parents a Break and Child Care for permanent change-of-station (PCS) as well as merging its loan and non-repayable grant programs. [16]

Mission

The three-pronged charter supports the Air Force mission by

  1. providing worldwide emergency assistance to members and their families,
  2. sponsoring educational assistance programs, and
  3. offering base community programs that improve Airman/family welfare. [17]

References

  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-02-03. Retrieved 2015-01-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Air Force Aid Society Inc" . Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  3. "AIR FORCE AID SOCIETY INC | Foundation Directory | Candid". fconline.foundationcenter.org. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  4. "Air Force Aid Society: There when you need them". Joint Base San Antonio. Archived from the original on 2024-10-05. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  5. "Air Force Aid Society". www.army.mil. 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  6. "AFAS leadership visits Luke AFB". Luke Air Force Base. Archived from the original on 2025-07-14. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  7. "FAQ". AFAS | An Official Charity of the U.S. Air Force. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  8. "Air Force Aid Society Inc, Full Filing - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  9. "Air Force Aid Society | Institution Profile | Private Equity International". www.privateequityinternational.com. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  10. "Air Force Aid Society launches new enhancements to its mobile budget app" . Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  11. "Air Force Aid Society raises Falcon Loan's maximum limit to $1,000" . Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  12. "Air Force Aid Society assistance now available to Reservists in all statuses". Joint Base San Antonio. Archived from the original on 2025-04-22. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  13. "Air Force Aid Society assistance now available to Reservists in all statuses". Homestead Air Reserve Base. Archived from the original on 2025-05-22. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  14. Roza, David (2025-06-12). "Air Force Aid Society Offers New Financial Aid, Child Care Options". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  15. "Air Force Aid Society Selects Major General (Retired) Edward W. Thomas Jr. As New CEO". AFAS | An Official Charity of the U.S. Air Force. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  16. "AFAS expands financial support, launches streamlined application to better serve Airmen, Guardians" . Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  17. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-09-28. Retrieved 2015-01-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)