ALCOAST 254/26 - AUG 2026 COAST GUARD MUTUAL ASSISTANCE (CGMA) ANNUAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN KICKOFF - "THE POWER OF US"

R 181956Z AUG 26  MID120041440233U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 254/26
SSIC 5760
SUBJ: COAST GUARD MUTUAL ASSISTANCE (CGMA) ANNUAL FUNDRAISING
CAMPAIGN KICKOFF - "THE POWER OF US"
1. Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA), the official relief society
of the U.S. Coast Guard, is conducting its Annual Campaign from
01 AUG through 30 SEP 2026.
    a. The CGMA Annual Campaign is designed to educate the Coast
Guard community about CGMA programs, reinforce our shared
commitment to Helping Our Own, and generate the voluntary donations
that sustain grants and interest-free loans for Coast Guard members
and families.
    b. This year's "The Power of Us" Fundraising Campaign ensures
this critical resource remains ready to support the Coast Guard
workforce and families when they need help the most.
2. Campaign Goals for 2026.
    a. CGMA's Campaign goals for the "Power of Us" are:
        (1) Increase the number of (financial donations) allotments
by 3% and increase overall giving (to 1600 new allotments);
        (2) Connect with 100% of personnel at each unit;
        (3) Increase awareness of available programs and resources for
our Coast Guard family; and,
        (4) Raise the funds needed to provide grants and loans for
Coast Guard members in need.
3. Donations Need.
    a. This year's Campaign comes at a critical moment when overall
participation has declined over several years, even as the Coast
Guard workforce continues to grow (the 2026 campaign aims to double
contributions at local units).
    b. CGMA enters the 2026 Annual Campaign following one of the most
significant periods in its 102-year history, delivering record
levels of financial assistance during government shutdowns, natural
disasters, personal financial hardships, and other significant life
events.
    c. Notable recent impacts felt across our Service include:
        (1) In 2025, CGMA provided $12.1 million in grants and
interest-free loans to more than 4,000 members of the Coast Guard
community, ensuring short-term financial challenges did not become
long-term hardships. CGMA delivered more than $3.6 million in
assistance to over 1,400 Civilian Employees, demonstrating its
ability to rapidly support the Coast Guard workforce during times
of extraordinary need; and delivered over $61,000 to date,
supporting our workforce who were impacted by the devastating Super
Typhoon Bavi in Guam and Northern Mariana Islands.
        (2) On average, CGMA delivered over $38,000 in assistance
DAILY, across the entire organization to Service members and
civilian employees (and their eligible dependents for specific
relief/grants); supporting "The Power of Us" through
disaster/emergencies, education needs, and day-to-day
financial support.
        (3) These accomplishments reaffirm CGMA's enduring commitment
to Helping our Own by strengthening the financial readiness and
resilience of Coast Guard members and families, while enabling us
to remain focused on mission execution when faced with unexpected
hardship.
4. How and Why to Support "The Power of Us."
    a. Connect with your CGMA Command Coordinator.
    b. Your continued generosity ensures CGMA remains prepared to
respond quickly when shipmates face unforeseen financial challenges
and unexpected hardships, enabling us to remain focused on mission
execution.
    c. Donating a little each pay period is a quick and easy way to
support shipmates in need.
    d. All donations to CGMA are voluntary. Active duty Service
members, civilian employees, and retirees may support CGMA through
allotment or payroll deduction. Even a small monthly contribution
strengthens CGMA's ability to provide disaster assistance, emergency
support, education assistance, and day-to-day financial relief
across the Coast Guard community.
    e. The CGMA is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Contributors should see their tax advisor for more information.
5. Directions for Command Coordinators.
    a. All commands must designate a command coordinator to support
the 2026 Annual Campaign to support campaign briefings.
    b. Command coordinators must answer questions and share how CGMA
supports Coast Guard Service members, civilians, and their
families by:
        (1) First visiting CGMA Portal to register as a Campaign:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser.)

https://portal.mycgma.org/s/

        (2) Next logging into the CGMA Portal, or registering to
log in; under My Account, select Campaign Coordinator Sign-up
    c. To ensure a successful campaign, registered coordinators can
also access CGMA-approved training and promotional materials within
SharePoint/CG Portal Online:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser.)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/USCG-CoastGuardMutualAssistance

    d. For annual campaign information, coordinator resources, and
giving instructions, visit:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser.)

www.mycgma.org

6. POC. Erica Chapman, Fundraising Manager, at campaign@mycgma.org.
7. RADM Tiffany G. Danko, Assistant Commandant for Workforce
Management (CG-WM), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.