Booster Club Fund Raising

[JAFO78]

Any squadron could form a "Booster Club" or "Friends of our Squadron" per this reg., and raise money and in turn the booster club would give the money to the unit?

With the costs associated with membership and uniforms for both cadets and Seniors or Officers would this work?

Does anyone think this is a good idea or bad idea?


CAPR 173-4 Says...

"15. Booster Clubs. "Booster clubs" are those organizations created to support local CAP units or the CAP activities of the units and/or members:
a. Parents, community leaders, and CAP members may create booster clubs to support local units. Such booster clubs must exist as entities wholly separate and apart from any CAP control and bear sole responsibility for compliance with local, state, and federal laws.

b. CAP corporate officers, commanders, and executives (managerial employees) are prohibited from participating in the creation, organization, or control (serving in positions of authority) in these organizations. Serving in an advisory capacity, to report on the status, needs, and wants of a unit and its members, is acceptable. (Not applicable to booster clubs formed before 4 December 2006.)

c. Booster clubs may not utilize the names "Civil Air Patrol" or "United States Air Force Auxiliary," or any abbreviation thereof as part of their names or identification. (Not applicable to booster clubs formed before 4 December 2006.)

d. Subject to the approval of the unit commander, booster clubs may use the name of the unit as part of their names or identification. For example, "Friends of Wright Brothers Composite Squadron 123" would be acceptable. (Not applicable to booster clubs formed before 4 December 2006.)

e. Serving concurrently in positions of control in CAP (CAP corporate officers, commanders, and executives [managerial employees]) and a "booster club" is prohibited. Those presently serving concurrent positions of control in such organizations must cease doing so no later than 30 September 2007.

f. Wear of the Civil Air Patrol uniform and similar clothing while performing fund raising for Booster Club is prohibited. Garments (e.g. squadron t-shirts) identifying the squadron and not referring to Civil Air Patrol are acceptable. 8 CAPR 173-4 ATTACHMENT 1 12 MAY 2008 "

[jimmydeanno]

It's a good idea because booster clubs are able to participate in fundraising opportunities that are restricted as a "CAP Activity."  It isn't about raking your members for money - it's to get money from the community.

[A.Member]

It's a great idea with several advantages, the primary one being that funds support your squadron directly.

[Pylon]

Just remember that there are set-up processes to go through, a board to create, and regular compliance and reporting paperwork you'll have to complete to get and maintain your 501(c)(3) status.  It's not as simple as opening a separate bank account and beginning to collect dollars.  Note also the restrictions CAP places on CAP members and what booster clubs can and cannot do (they cannot, for example, use the Civil Air Patrol name).  But it truly is a deal of work.

The upside is that the booster club can do whatever they'd like with the money - including investing it to create a long-term endowment, purchase property, etc. etc. 

[RiverAux]

I think they are a bad idea.  Basically it sets up a lot of potential conflicts over money between two organizations that are entirely separate.  Since CAP is already a non-profit the booster club doesn't offer anything not already open to CAP except for a few fund-raising activities that don't really offer much return anyway.

[Eclipse]

I agree - this idea is fraught with pitfalls - no one in the unit, especially commanders can be involved in the
club, not can they even hint that someone donate to the club versus direct to CAP, Inc., because that could be considered redirection of corporate funds.

Little advantage, lots of risk.

Generally the people who think this is a good idea have some ax to grind with Wing Banker or some similiar issue where they believe money can be "stolen" by higher HQ.

I can't personally think of any fundraising activity that would be a good idea that the unit couldn't do itself.

[A.Member]

I agree - this idea is fraught with pitfalls - no one in the unit, especially commanders can be involved in the
club, not can they even hint that someone donate to the club versus direct to CAP, Inc., because that could be considered redirection of corporate funds.

This is not true.  Members of a squadron can participate and be officers of such booster organizations.  Only commanders, corporate officers and executives (which very qualify as) are prohibited from serving on such a board.  However, even those members are allowed an advisory role. 

These organizations (501(c)(3)) really are not overly difficult to establish (IMO) and are a great way for a squadron to raise and direct squadron specific funds, such as property, as Pylon pointed out.  I've seen them work well and provide some very tangible benefits.

[Eclipse]

A booster club can't accept property for CAP, that has to be accepted by the Wing level. 

What can a booster club do, specifically, that the unit can't do directly and with better oversight.

I, as a commander, would not want non-members soliciting funds on CAP's behalf without my involvement.

I can beg for my own money.

[A.Member]

A booster club can't accept property for CAP, that has to be accepted by the Wing level. 

True but they can accept their own property and allow it to be used be a squadron.  It never goes on the CAP books.

[FW]

Theoretically, Booster Clubs are a great way to help support a unit.  They can raise funds and donate them  to CAP.  How they raise the funds is their business.  They don't need to form 501C3 corp. nor do they need an official charter.  As far as CAP is concerned, it's not our problem.
However, we are not allowed to do business with any "booster club" that does not meet the guidelines in CAPR 173-4.  So, if parents or friends of a squadron form such a club or, squadron members form a club, the CAP unit may only accept funds from the booster club IF the requirements are followed.  Remember, it is the Wing/CC's responsibility to approve any donation to a unit.
And, in no way may CAP property or funds be transferred to a Booster Club without full disclosure and approval from wing or higher authority.  CAP property may be sold to a booster club at fair market value however,  approvals are still necessary.

[JAFO78]

Thanks for all the reply's, I knew this was a touchy subject. Fund raising is a very important issue for our squadron's. I believe that we should have some funds available for membership of a child who could benefit the discipline they can learn from US.

I am not talking a child - male or female, who is in trouble with L.E., a child who just needs to be shown that they can make new friends, and have a good time with activity's.

Any ideas on regular fund raising? How often do you raise funds for your unit.