Donations to units

[Hawk200]

OK, when I get back, I want to drop about five hundred bucks into my squadron's coffers, to be used for the cadet program. How do I do it? What kind of stuff am I dealing with to make it go to only my unit, not to the wing to spend on their programs? I'm not looking to write it off on taxes or anything, that's not a concern, I just want to help my unit.

Hopefully, I've got this in the right place.

[SarDragon]

While not anywhere close to being an expert on this subject, I would suggest buying "stuff" for the unit, with the coordination of the unit commander, rather than giving the money directly to the unit.

YMMV.

[Eclipse]

Write a check to the unit for the amount you want.  It goes from there into the WBP accounts, no choice, and your wing isn't going to take it.

The Wing CC will write a tax letter and its your choice to take the deduction.  There are some ways that you can restrict the funds to a specific use, but frankly that may cause the unit more trouble than its worth, and doesn't change the fact that it will still sit in a WBP account.

All of that is bound by reg, there's no way around it.

While not anywhere close to being an expert on this subject, I would suggest buying "stuff" for the unit, with the coordination of the unit commander, rather than giving the money directly to the unit.

Buying "stuff" is fine, too - but cannot be accepted by the unit (they can take physical possession, but the Wing CC must accept it and record it on the S-8 or S-3).  Anything "bought" becomes corporate property, for all that entails.

[Hawk200]

Write a check to the unit for the amount you want.  It goes from there into the WBP accounts, no choice, and your wing isn't going to take it.

The Wing CC will write a tax letter and its your choice to take the deduction.  There are some ways that you can restrict the funds to a specific use, but frankly that may cause the unit more trouble than its worth, and doesn't change the fact that it will still sit in a WBP account.

All of that is bound by reg, there's no way around it.

But, it's only gonna go to the unit, nowhere else? That's what I wanted to know. Just a case of the check made out to the name of the unit?

[Eclipse]

Write a check to the unit for the amount you want.  It goes from there into the WBP accounts, no choice, and your wing isn't going to take it.

The Wing CC will write a tax letter and its your choice to take the deduction.  There are some ways that you can restrict the funds to a specific use, but frankly that may cause the unit more trouble than its worth, and doesn't change the fact that it will still sit in a WBP account.

All of that is bound by reg, there's no way around it.

But, it's only gonna go to the unit, nowhere else? That's what I wanted to know. Just a case of the check made out to the name of the unit?

Correct - the unit gets it deposited in their Wing account, for their use, at their discretion, within the guidelines of 173-3.
It won't be co-mingled with Wing funds, nor open to general use by the wing or anyone else.

[Hawk200]

Correct - the unit gets it deposited in their Wing account, for their use, at their discretion, within the guidelines of 173-3.
It won't be co-mingled with Wing funds, nor open to general use by the wing or anyone else.

That's what I wanted to know. Thanks much.

[jimmydeanno]

Hawk, thank you for the donation.  I'm sure that your squadron's cadets will appreciate it.

[Al Sayre]

Before you make a donation, check with your or your wife's employer, many corporations will (partially) match your gifts to qualifying organizations.

Thanks for the donation!

[Hawk200]

Hawk, thank you for the donation.  I'm sure that your squadron's cadets will appreciate it.

Haven't made it yet, got to get home first. Just thought that maybe it would be nice to put some of my combat pay to good use.

[jimmydeanno]

Haven't made it yet, got to get home first. Just thought that maybe it would be nice to put some of my combat pay to good use.

Non-taxable income as a tax deduction.  Awesome!  Oh, and thank you for your service as well.

[gistek]

Use the memo line on the check to specify what the money is to be used for. Be sure to include something that identifies the specific unit. The charter number works well for this.

When you sign the check, and they endorse it, the Memo becomes a type of contract.

[a2capt]

Think of Wing Banker as .. "XX Wing National Bank", you are not depositing in a bank acct., your wing HQ is your bank.

It's still your unit's funds, to do with as they need. You do not need to justify to Wing to use your money. It just needs to be done by finance committee and minutes kept for expenditures over the amount set by the reg. or amendment, if any.

The funds are all co-mingled in the sense they may be in the same actual bank acct. But the deposit slips are coded, the statements show a breakdown by deposit, the accounting software keeps a balance for everyone. The same as any bank does. The finance officer at the unit makes sure that the Wing provided statement matches what they think it should be. When you both agree, the job is done.

Just like you do with your bank balance vs. your statement.

[Eclipse]

Use the memo line on the check to specify what the money is to be used for. Be sure to include something that identifies the specific unit. The charter number works well for this.

When you sign the check, and they endorse it, the Memo becomes a type of contract.

Um, no.  Unless the donor indicates a restriction to the funds use, it all goes into the same corporate bucket.  A unit cannot designate a restriction on funds after they have been donated.

[SarDragon]

Use the memo line on the check to specify what the money is to be used for. Be sure to include something that identifies the specific unit. The charter number works well for this.

When you sign the check, and they endorse it, the Memo becomes a type of contract.

Um, no.  Unless the donor indicates a restriction to the funds use, it all goes into the same corporate bucket.  A unit cannot designate a restriction on funds after they have been donated.

Hence, my suggestion above.

[Eclipse]

Use the memo line on the check to specify what the money is to be used for. Be sure to include something that identifies the specific unit. The charter number works well for this.

When you sign the check, and they endorse it, the Memo becomes a type of contract.

Um, no.  Unless the donor indicates a restriction to the funds use, it all goes into the same corporate bucket.  A unit cannot designate a restriction on funds after they have been donated.

Hence, my suggestion above.

Which is fine, but what is it with this notion that your respective wings are going to take you money?

[openmind]

Which is fine, but what is it with this notion that your respective wings are going to take you money?

As with many things in CAP, a little bit of explanation would go a long way in dispelling the Myths around, in this case, the Wing Banker program.

I could write up a 5-10 minute presentation that lays out the basics of how it works, and why (Corporate Entity and all that) we did it, that would clear up many misunderstandings.

In fact, were people sufficiently motivated, many of these 'Lightning Talks' could be prepared, and just get up and give one at each Squadron Meeting.  Think of the subjects:  NIMS, Vehicle Usage, UNIFORMS!!!, etc.  Each could be handled in a small presentation that doesn't give every detail about the subject, but gets people 80% of the way there.  (The old 80/20 rule in effect.)

BTW, I stole the Lightning Talk idea from the NANOG conference folks.  They have several of these at each meeting on various subjects.

Not everyone has the time to pore over every post on CAPTalk to find out all these things, so let's bring the info to them.

openmind

[FW]

The Wing Banker Program has been discussed to death a few times over; here and, in quite a few other venues, including wing, region and national conferences.  It would be a good idea for finance officers to give "Lightning Talks" about it for the unit membership; especially if there is still some confusion about it. 

But, as Eclipse has said, donations made to a squadron will be credited to that unit.
The wing only acts as the administrator.  The money belongs to the unit and, unless it is deactivated, stays with the unit.  Any deviation from this policy may be considered a case of "FWA" and, would be dealt with.

[DG]

But, as Eclipse has said, donations made to a squadron will be credited to that unit.
The wing only acts as the administrator.  The money belongs to the unit and, unless it is deactivated, stays with the unit.  Any deviation from this policy may be considered a case of "FWA" and, would be dealt with.

Colonel, "The money belongs to the unit"?

[gistek]

Use the memo line on the check to specify what the money is to be used for. Be sure to include something that identifies the specific unit. The charter number works well for this.

When you sign the check, and they endorse it, the Memo becomes a type of contract.

Um, no.  Unless the donor indicates a restriction to the funds use, it all goes into the same corporate bucket.  A unit cannot designate a restriction on funds after they have been donated.

The note in the memo is the restriction. For instance, "Encampment scholarships, NERPA999" would assign the money to be used only by the fictitious NERPA999 unit to help cadets afford encampment.

The problem with donating items is that if it's something that has to be owned by the wing, it can be reassigned. I heard a story about a pilot who donated an airplane to a unit, but wing reassigned it to another unit.

[Eclipse]

Use the memo line on the check to specify what the money is to be used for. Be sure to include something that identifies the specific unit. The charter number works well for this.

When you sign the check, and they endorse it, the Memo becomes a type of contract.

Um, no.  Unless the donor indicates a restriction to the funds use, it all goes into the same corporate bucket.  A unit cannot designate a restriction on funds after they have been donated.

The note in the memo is the restriction. For instance, "Encampment scholarships, NERPA999" would assign the money to be used only by the fictitious NERPA999 unit to help cadets afford encampment.

Actually, after reviewing 173-3 & 173-4, I'm going to request you cite on this. I don't even see an allowance or procedure for the donation of restricted funds, except for a single note that they have to be reviewed by NHQ, however I'm sure it would be more than a memo entry that no one reads.

The problem with donating items is that if it's something that has to be owned by the wing, it can be reassigned. I heard a story about a pilot who donated an airplane to a unit, but wing reassigned it to another unit.

All property is owned by wing and can be reassigned to another unit at the whim of the Wing CC or higher authority.