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Mon – Fri By Appointment Only
Weekends, Family Days & Holidays Closed

Private & Unofficial Organizations

Private Organizations (POs) are self-sustaining special interest groups, set up by individuals acting exclusively outside the scope of any official capacity as officers, employees, or agents of the Federal Government. POs can be great mediums for encouraging community involvement among like-minded individuals on base and can greatly enrich the lives of members of the DoD and their dependents. Because individuals running POs are often also members of or closely associated with the DoD, however, the possibility exists for actual or apparent conflicts of interest to sometimes arise between those dual roles.

To address this issue, Air Force-wide rules have been established to regulate and monitor the activities of base-associated POs. Such regulations and other useful information can be found below. Of particular importance are templates to request fundraisers (which you can do even as an unofficial organization) and information on how to make proper requests for off-base solicitations.

Programs

New Private Organizations

New Private Organizations are required to submit the following to us for PO Approval.

  • Request to Establish
  • Request for Name Approval
  • Request for Insurance Waiver or copy of
  • Insurance Policy
  • Constitution/By-Laws
  • Listing of PO Officers
  • Membership Financial Liability Memo
  • Bank Statement/Budget Quarterly
  • Meeting Minutes

Fundraising

The Air Force Instructions related to fundraising and private organizations have been substantially revised, and provide different guidelines for fundraisers on base depending on whether the fundraiser is for a registered private organization or an unofficial unit-affiliated activity. In addition, most fundraisers taking place on JB Elmendorf-Richardson must be approved in advance by the Installation Commander’s representative. For more information or questions, please consult AFI 34-223, Private Organizations Program, 13 Dec. 2018, AFI 36-3101, Fundraising, 9 Oct. 2018, or contact the JB Elmendorf-Richardson Private Organizations Monitor.

Forms & Downloads

All forms, applications AFI’s, and publications you may need are available in the Private Organizations Document Library. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions that are not covered by the FAQ below.

For fundraising approval

For fundraising approval, read the information sheet that is specific to your organization affiliation, complete the request form. The approval process can take up to 20 business days, please plan accordingly.

  • Fundraiser Request Form
  • Unofficial Activity (UA) Fundraiser Information
  • Private Organizations (PO) Fundraiser Information

Fundraisers should not coincide with or detract from the Air Force Assistance (Fund AFAF) Campaign or Combined Federal Campaign.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a private organization (PO)?

According to AFI 34-223, “POs are self-sustaining special interest groups, set up by individuals acting exclusively outside the scope of any official Air Force Duties. They operate on Air Force Installations with the written consent of the Installation Commander. POs are not Federal entities and are not to be treated as such.”

What are Unofficial Activities?

These are coffee funds, water funds, and sunshine funds are not considered Private Organizations (POs) unless current assets, excluding inventory, exceed a monthly average of $1,000.00 over a three month period. Activities which exceed the asset limit ($1,000) must become a recognized Private Organization, discontinue operations, or reduce its current assets below the $1,000 threshold.

What is "For Us By US" fundraising?

As a general rule, unofficial activities’ fundraising efforts are considered “for us, by us” fundraising, unless fundraising extends beyond unit personnel and family members. Unit commanders may approve unit unofficial activity fundraisers on the installation within the unit, and only for the unit’s personnel. Fundraising outside the unit requires Installation Commander or designee approval. Unofficial activities are still Federal entities and may not solicit gifts from outside sources or engage in off base fundraising.

What are the rules about Fundraisers?

With the approval of the Installation Commander or designee, Private Organizations and unofficial activities may conduct three (3) fundraisers per calendar quarter.

Private Organizations and unofficial activities must not engage in activities that duplicate or compete with activities of the AAFES or Force Support Squadron NAFI.

Direct solicitation of cash donations on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is prohibited on base, off based solicitation is allowed with an approved solicitation letter.

Private Organizations may not conduct games of chance, lotteries, raffles or other gambling-type activities except as provided in AFI 34-223 paragraph 10.20 and unofficial activities may not conduct any of the above under any circumstances.

Is there anything else I need to know?

All requests, advertising and any Private Organization correspondence requires the following disclaimer: “THIS IS A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION. IT IS NOT PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OR ANY OF ITS COMPONENTS AND IT HAS NO GOVERNMENTAL STATUS.” It is not authorized to use government e-mail to advertise Private Organization events or information.

Download and complete the applicable forms and add all necessary information, obtain facility or building manager approval before submitting your request. If the fundraiser involves food obtain training from Public Health.

Allow at least 20 business days for the approval process and do not begin advertising until you request has been approved.