Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Founded	1924
Location	Arlington, Virginia
Key people	Admiral Linda L. Fagan (Chair) Rear Admiral Bryan K. Penoyer (President) Rear Admiral Cari B. Thomas (CEO)
Website	www.cgmahq.org

The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) is a non-profit charitable organization of the United States Coast Guard. As the official relief society of the United States Coast Guard, the organization provides financial support to the Coast Guard family. ^{[1] [2]} This includes active duty and retired military members, Coast Guard civilian employees, Coast Guard Reserve, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Public Health Service officers serving with the Coast Guard, and surviving family members. As of 2021, it has provided more than $230 million in financial assistance since its founding in 1924. ^[3]

There are more than 400 CGMA Representatives in 96 shore units and 38 cutters based in 32 states and territories, including Puerto Rico and Guam. CGMA receives no federal funds and relies on bequests and donations from Coast Guard people. Most of its financial assistance is provided through interest-free loans and personal grants. The assistance covers educational support, emergency travel, temporary living expenses, funeral expenses, loss of funds or property, disaster relief, medical and dental expenses, home studies expenses for adoptions, and debt management. CGMA has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. ^[4]

The Supplemental Education Grant (SEG) program was enhanced in 2015 and doubled in 2023. ^[5] There is also a Layette Program that supplies a baby's supplies-related package for the family. ^[6] In 2017, CGMA provided 6 million dollars to its clients.

During the 2018–2019 United States federal government shutdown, CGMA helped lower-ranking Coast Guard members pay for food and other expenses. ^[2] Those with dependences received up to $1,000. ^{[7] [8]} The Coast Guard was the only military branch to go without pay during the shutdown because it is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security and not the Department of Defense. ^[9]

Programs

CGMA has a number of programs, including: ^[10]

• Child Care Grant
• In-Person Tutoring Grant
• Supplemental Special Needs Grant
• Child Care Loans
• Lost Wages Loans
• Assisted Reproductive Services Loan ^[11]

Governance

CGMA is governed by a board of directors called the Board of Control (BOC). The officers of the corporation include the Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Assistant Commandant for Human Resources, the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, and the executive director of CGMA. The members of the BOC who are elected represent the constituencies served by CGMA. Monthly meetings are held at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and members generally reside in the greater DC area. ^[12]

History

• 1924 – The League of Coast Guard Women was founded.
• 1941 – Coast Guard Welfare is established and assumes the League's mission.
• 1979 – The name changes to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance.
• 1998 – CGMA is incorporated into the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• 2005 – CGMA distributes $3 million in direct aid to those affected by hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.
• 2017 – CGMA distributes $2.6 million in direct aid to those affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria and provides $6.3 million to more than 5,200 Coast Guard families through interest-free loans and grants.
• 2018 – CGMA provides $5.3 million in financial aid to ~5,000 Coast Guard families.
• 2022 – CGMA processes 5,408 cases serving 4,270 Coast Guard members, providing $6.7 million in total and $2.4 million in grants.

References

1. Alwine, Rebecca (2021-09-07). "Coast Guard Aid Society Offers Loans to Offset Fertility Costs". Military.com. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
2. Thrush, Glenn; Smith, Mitch; Taylor, Kate (2018-12-29). "A Week Into Government Shutdown, Ire Turns to Fear for Federal Workers". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2021-09-15.
3. "Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Presented with the Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Award". Hstoday. 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
4. "Charity Navigator - Rating for Coast Guard Mutual Assistance". Charitynavigator.org. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
5. "Changes to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance program « Coast Guard All Hands". Allhands.coastguard.dodlive.mil. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
6. "Navigating CGMA - Layette Program". Cgmahq.org. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
7. Woody, Christopher. "The Red Cross is getting involved after the Coast Guard became the first military branch to miss a paycheck because of the government shutdown". Business Insider. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
8. "For unpaid Coast Guard families, some financial options emerge". ABC News. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
9. Hess, Abigail Johnson (2019-01-17). "Because of the shutdown, members of the US military are working without pay for the first time in history". CNBC. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
10. Alwine, Rebecca (2020-07-31). "6 Ways Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Is Taking Care of Families". Military.com. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
11. Alwine, Rebecca (2021-09-07). "Coast Guard Aid Society Offers Loans to Offset Fertility Costs". Military.com. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
12. "CGMA - Board of Control". Cgmahq.org. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.