Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) is an independent non-profit charitable organization of the United States Coast Guard. As the official relief society of the United States Coast Guard, the organization assists those within the Coast Guard family.[1][2] That 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. It has provided more than $230 million in financial assistance since 1924.[3] There are more than 400 CGMA Representatives at 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 assistance is provided through interest-free loans and personal grants. These include educational support for members and their dependents, 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]

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
Founded1924
Location
  • Arlington, Virginia
Key people
Admiral Linda L. Fagan, Chair; Rear Admiral Bryan K. Penoyer, President; Rear Admiral Cari B. Thomas (Ret.), CEO
Websitewww.cgmahq.org

The Supplemental Education Grant (SEG) program was enhanced in 2015 and doubled in 2023.[5] There is also a Layette Program to welcome infants.[6] In 2017, CGMA provided 6 million dollars in direct assistance (loans and grants) 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 provides assistance through a number of programs including the following:[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, DC, and members generally reside in the greater DC area.[12]

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