Coast Guard Mutual Assistance 2015 Annual Report

2015 Message from the Chairman

In 2015, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) continued to provide outstanding support to the Coast Guard community, as it has for over 90 years. It is my privilege to submit the CGMA 2015 annual report.

CGMA remains a vital pillar of our Duty to People, as the Coast Guard’s own relief society. This year, CGMA distributed more than $3.4 million in direct financial assistance in 4,444 cases, with another $111,500 funding essential service programs such as certified financial counseling, respite care, federal student loan reimbursements, tutoring services and baby layettes for families with newborns.

I note with great pride the generosity you have demonstrated through your giving to CGMA. Total donations for the year once again exceeded the $2 million mark. Your steady contributions, whether by cash, allot‐ment or payroll deduction ensure that CGMA remains on sound footing to meet future needs of our service members and our Coast Guard families.

This year CGMA made a number of noteworthy improvements to assistance programs, with focus on the finan‐cial needs within the Coast Guard workforce. The Quick Loan process was opened up to civilian employees and the dollar maximum increased. The hourly reimbursement under the Respite Care Program was increased, as was the dollar limit for the adoption home study grant. A new grant program was created for active duty fami‐lies with special needs dependents, and a uniform replacement loan was set up for enlisted members transfer‐ring to A‐School. Also this year, CGMA began funding one‐to‐one on‐line tutoring for active duty members and their dependents.

I especially want to thank the more than 400 CGMA, campaign workers, and the staff at CGMA Headquarters, who work hard to accomplish CGMA’s mission on a daily basis. I also commend the CGMA Board of Control for its diligent and innovative oversight.

Working together, we have firmly postured CGMA to carry on its mission in support of the entire Coast Guard family and our 21 st Century workforce.

CGMA Presence

Over 400 CGMA Representatives at 96 Shore Units and 39 Cutters in 32 states & territories

ACADEMY NEW LONDON

AIR STATION ATLANTIC CITY

AIR STATION BARBERS POINT

AIR STATION BORINQUEN

AIR STATION CLEARWATER

AIR STATION DETROIT

AIR STATION LOS ANGELES

AIR STATION MIAMI

AIR STATION SACRAMENTO

AIR STATION SAN FRANCISCO

AIR STATION SAVANNAH

AIR STATION SITKA

AIR STATION TRAVERSE CITY

AIR STATION/SFO PORT ANGELES

ATC MOBILE

BASE ALAMEDA

BASE BOSTON

BASE CAPE COD

BASE CHARLESTON

BASE CLEVELAND

BASE DET ST LOUIS

BASE ELIZABETH CITY

BASE HONOLULU

BASE KETCHIKAN

BASE KETCHIKAN‐JUNEAU

BASE KODIAK

BASE LA/LB

BASE MIAMI BEACH

BASE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

BASE NEW ORLEANS

BASE PORTSMOUTH

BASE SEATTLE

CRYPTO UNIT TX

DISTRICT FOURTEEN HONOLULU

FINCEN CHESAPEAKE

HITRON JACKSONVILLE

INSTITUTE OKLAHOMA CITY

LSC NORFOLK

MFPU KINGS BAY

MSST SAN DIEGO

MSU CHICAGO

MSU DULUTH

MSU HUNTINGTON

MSU MORGAN CITY

MSU PADUCAH

MSU PITTSBURGH

MSU PORT ARTHUR

MSU PORTLAND

MSU SAVANNAH

MSU VALDEZ

NVDC FALLING WATERS

PPC TOPEKA

SECTOR ANCHORAGE

SECTOR BOSTON

SECTOR BUFFALO

SECTOR CHARLESTON

SECTOR COLUMBIA RIVER WARRENTON

SECTOR CORPUS CHRISTI

SECTOR DELAWARE BAY PHILADELPHIA

SECTOR DETROIT

SECTOR GUAM

SECTOR HOUSTON/GALVESTON

SECTOR HUMBOLDT BAY

SECTOR JACKSONVILLE

SECTOR KEY WEST

SECTOR LAKE MICHIGAN MILWAUKEE

SECTOR LONG ISLAND SOUND NEW HAVEN

SECTOR LOS ANGELES/LONG BEACH

SECTOR LOWER MISS RIVER MEMPHIS

SECTOR MOBILE

SECTOR NEW YORK

SECTOR NORTH BEND

SECTOR NORTH CAROLINA/ATLANTIC BEACH

SECTOR NORTHERN NE PORTLAND

SECTOR OHIO VALLEY LOUISVILLE

SECTOR PUGET SOUND SEATTLE

SECTOR SAN DIEGO

SECTOR SAN FRANCISCO

SECTOR SAN JUAN

SECTOR SAULT STE MARIE

SECTOR SOUTHEASTERN NE WOODS HOLE

SECTOR ST PETERSBURG

SECTOR UPPER MISS RIVER ST LOUIS

SFO EASTERN SHORE CHINCOTEAGUE

SFO GALVESTON

SFO GRAND HAVEN

SFO MORICHES

SFO SOUTHWEST HARBOR

SMTC CAPE LEJEUNE

STATION CHANNEL ISLANDS HRBR

STATION CHETCO RIVER

TISCOM ALEXANDRIA

TRACEN CAPE MAY

TRACEN PETALUMA

TRACEN YORKTOWN

YARD BALTIMORE

USCGC ACTIVE

USCGC ALERT

USCGC BEAR

USCGC BERTHOLF

USCGC BOUTWELL

USCGC CAMPBELL

USCGC CONFIDENCE

USCGC DEPENDABLE

USCGC DILIGENCE

USCGC EAGLE

USCGC ESCANABA

USCGC FORWARD

USCGC HAMILTON

USCGC HARRIET LANE

USCGC HICKORY

USCGC JAMES

USCGC JUNIPER

USCGC LEGARE

USCGC MACKINAW

USCGC MELLON

USCGC MIDGETT

USCGC MOHAWK

USCGC MORGENTHAU

USCGC NORTHLAND

USCGC POLAR STAR

USCGC RELIANCE

USCGC RESOLUTE

USCGC SENECA

USCGC SHERMAN

USCGC SPENCER

USCGC STEADFAST

USCGC STRATTON

USCGC SYCAMORE

USCGC TAHOMA

USCGC TAMPA

USCGC THETIS

USCGC VIGILANT

USCGC VIGOROUS

USCGC WAESCHE

2015 Casework Results

Since 1924, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) has been a reliable source of essential financial aid to those in need within the Coast Guard community. Over the course of its service history, CGMA has given over $177 million in financial assistance to serve those needs. In the past five years alone, CGMA has issued interest‐free loans totaling over $15.4 million as well as personal and education grants totaling more than $3 million in about 26,000 cases.

$ 3.44 million $ 3.44 million total assistance

In 2015, CGMA provided essential financial aid to 4,444 Coast Guard families through interest‐free loans and grants.

$ 858,000 education assistance

$39,700 adoption loans and grants

Over 4,200 students were supported through CGMA’s education programs.

CGMA gave 24 loans and grants to help Coast Guard families with the unique financial demands of adopting a child.

CGMA understands the sacrifices of the Coast Guard family, especially when they face an unexpected finan‐cial need.

Whether helping members with emergency home repairs due to fire or flood, or emergency travel to wit‐ness the birth of their child or to visit the bedside of a critically ill parent, CGMA is ready to look after our own.

In an effort to alleviate the stress of these and a host of other circum‐stances, members continue to turn to CGMA and find the support they need.

2015 Program Highlights

Tutoring Services

In 2015, CGMA entered an agreement with Tutor.com which provides one‐on‐one tutor‐ing with a live expert online 24/7 for active duty clients, their spouses, and their depend‐ent children. The tutors are qualified to help students grades K‐12 and college with over forty subjects, plus support for resume writing and career transition issues. In the final quarter of 2015, CGMA covered expenses for 1,562 tutoring and skills center sessions, costing slightly over $22,000.

Baby Layettes

CGMA’s “Welcome Baby Package” is offered to all clients who have just had a baby or are adopting one. Valued at over $70, the layette contains a receiving blanket, crib sheets, clothes and other items for a newborn child. In 2015, CGMA supplied $32,500 in baby supplies to 475 Coast Guard families.

2015 New and Expanded Programs

Education Programs

CGMA increased existing education programs to accommodate the financial endeavors of the Coast Guard family. The interest free education loan increased from $2000 to $3000, allowing clients to borrow more money for themselves or dependents without worries of paying interest. CGMA put out 20% more funds for education loans in 2015, assisting cli‐ents with over $220,000 for education expenses including tuition. For clients that paid the loan origination fee for federal student loans (up to 4%), CGMA offered direct reimburse‐ment on these charges, supplying $22,000 to clients in 2015.

As of January 2015, CGMA’s most popular program, the Supplemental Education Grant (SEG), increased from $250 to $350 per calendar year and was opened to all degree levels. With a competitive job market requiring further degrees and education, the SEG serves to help our clients achieve a higher education by covering costs of books and supplies. Com‐pared with 2014, CGMA increased spending on this program by 55% in 2015, providing $575,000 to Coast Guard clients.

Special Needs Grant

In March 2015, CGMA approved a new grant to provide financial assistance to Active Duty clients who are faced with extra costs in relation to their dependents with special needs. To be eligible for the grant, clients must be active duty, with dependents registered in the Coast Guard special needs program. This grant, up to $3000 per client, helps with costs such as fees for specialized activities (camps, clubs, sporting leagues), the cost of adaptive equipment such as heavy duty strollers, wheelchairs, and shoes, the cost of other re‐sources designed to meet special needs, like Assistive Technology Devices (communication devices, hearing aids, etc.) or specialized computer software, and mem‐bership fees to organizations that provide special needs services. Coast Guard Mutual As‐sistance was able to help 12 families this year and provide over $17,000 in financial to alle‐viate some of the financial impact unique to these clients.

Service Animals Loan

CGMA now offers a loan up to $6000 for the purchase or training of a service animal to assist a client who is disabled or a member of the client’s immediate family who is dis‐abled. Service animals may be dogs or other animals trained to the requirements of the individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, mobility issues, visual impair‐ment, hearing impairment, seizures, diabetes, PTSD, autism, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other physical or mental disabilities.

Emergency Pet Expenses

CGMA has recently expanded assistance for costs related to emergency pet expenses. These circumstances include pet quarantine fees during PCS transfer, veterinary bills for emergency treatment when a pet has become injured or seriously ill, and pet lodging ex‐penses during a move, emergency evacuation or during other emergencies when a pet cannot accommodate the client during travel. Over the course of 2015, CGMA helped 12 clients with pet expenses, totaling $13,993.

“Thank you for all the great work you do.“

‐LTJG Joshua Gerry

Source of Funds

Contributions

In order to continue performing its vital role within the Coast Guard community, CGMA relies on a steady infusion of funds from voluntary contributions. Though CGMA works closely with the Coast Guard, it is an independent non‐profit organization and receives neither appropriated nor non‐appropriated government funding.

Throughout the year, contributions are accepted from individuals and organizations. A majority of the financial support CGMA receives comes from allotment/payroll deductions from Active Duty members, Retired Military members and Civilian Employees. These al‐lotments/deductions account for almost 82% of the $2 million in donated funds for 2015.

Repayments on Loans

As the money distributed through interest‐free loans is returned to CGMA, these funds are redistributed to other Coast Guard members in need, thereby recycling contribution dollars.

Return on Investments (CGMA Portfolio)

CGMA operations are also supported by the capital generated from the investment port‐folio. With a market value of $25.6 million at the end of 2015, the portfolio allows CGMA to produce income through interest and dividends and grow capital in low‐risk invest‐ments. Ultimately this resource serves as a safety net for CGMA to maintain smooth op‐erations.

When needs exceed operating funds, CGMA would draw upon these reserve funds. Whether during times of emergency or during the normal course of business, the portfolio provides an important safeguard to seamlessly meet client needs without requiring addi‐tional contributions.

For every dollar donated in 2015, $2.06 was issued in direct programs and assis‐tance. An additional $ .26 covered administrative and fundraising costs.

CGMA Dollars Hard at Work

With just over $2 million in donations in 2015, CGMA was able to provide interest free loans totaling $2.75 million. An additional $719,000 in grants was given. Pro‐gram costs were $797,000, administrative costs were $380,000 and fundraising costs were only $154,000.

Statements of Financial Position

Statements of Financial Activities

For years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

Revenues, Gains, and other Support

Audit: Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015, were audited by independent auditors from the firm Murray, Jonson, White & Associates, LTD, Certified Public Accountants, of Falls Church, Virginia. Copies of the report have been provided to all members of the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Board of Control. Copies of the audit report are available by contacting the Director of Finance, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, at ARL‐DG‐CGMA@uscg.mil

Contributors

CGMA acknowledges with sincere appreciation the contributions generously given by the following individuals, companies and organizations throughout 2015

Corporate and Organization Contributors

of$1,000orMore

Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

Dallas Military Foundation

Dorothy M. Thayer Trust

Friends of the Alameda Free Library

Navy Federal Credit Union

Surfman's Trust Fund at The Boston Foundation

USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 53‐18‐06

USCG Community Services Command

Individual Contributors

of$1,000orMore

CDR & Mrs. Richard Bergdorf, USCGR (Ret)

Mr. Patrick W. Bartlett

RADM & Mrs. C. F. DeWolf, USCG (Ret)

Mrs. Mary Glidden‐Williams

SCPO Robert Koehler, USCGR (Ret)

Mr. Marco A. Marin

Mrs. Ariadna Miller

LTC Alfred Phillips, USA (Ret)

CAPT & Mrs. Robert T. Platt, USCG (Ret)

CAPT Jospeh G. Victor, USCG (Ret)

Author Royalties – Character in Action

Donald T. Phillips

ADM James M. Loy, USCG (Ret)

Memorial Contributions

received in memory of

Ms. Shirley J. Nelson

Petty Officer Ronald Penney

CDR Paul Peterson

CWO4 Jack L. Redfern, Sr.

Mr. Dale Renninger

Ms. Lucille E. Russi

PO1 William T. Shinavier

Connie & Hank Shubert

Mr. Dillard J. Tucker

Mr. Randy M. Varnum

Mrs. Rosa Vaz

Mr. Fred R. Vickers

Board of Control

CGMA BOC Officers

Chairman Admiral Paul F. Zukunft, USCG

President Rear Admiral Cari B. Thomas, USCG

Vice President Chief Warrant Officer John C. Baker, USCG (Ret)

Treasurer Ms. Shay Cook

Secretary/Executive Director Mr. Barry M. Boisvere

CGMA BOC Members

Commissioned Officer Commander Beth A. Naff, USCG

Commissioned Officer Lieutenant Commander Brandy N. Parker, USCG

Commissioned Officer Lieutenant James A. Crockett, USCG

Chief Warrant Officer Chief Warrant Officer Shawn Wichelns, USCG

MCPOCG Master Chief Petty Officer CG Steven W. Cantrell, USCG

Enlisted (E‐7 or above)

Enlisted (E‐6 or below)

Enlisted (E‐6 or below)

Chief Petty Officer John M. Saxon, USCG

Petty Officer First Class Anika Doehl, USCG

Petty Officer First Class David Nava, USCG

Reserve Lieutenant Mark M. Sanchez, USCGR

Civilian Mr. Frank G. Tatu

Retired Chief Warrant Officer John C. Baker, USCG (Ret)

Auxiliary Auxiliarist Bruce A. White

Officer’s Spouse Mrs. Bethany Klein

Enlisted Member’s Spouse Mrs. Debbie Brandt

Medical/TRICARE Specialist Chief Warrant Officer Shannon Paul Reck, USCG

Work‐Life Specialist Ms. Shay Cook

CGMA BOC Alternates

MCPOCG Chief Petty Officer Eric P. Lowe, USCG

Enlisted (E‐7 or above) Master Chief Petty Officer Mark H. Allen, USCGR (Ret)

Enlisted (E‐6 or below)

Petty Officer First Class Carey M Jones, USCG