Private Organizations

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a private organization (PO)?

According to AFI 34-223, “POs are self-sustaining special interest groups, set up by people acting exclusively outside the scope of any official capacity as officers, employees, or agents of the Federal Government. 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 is the difference between private and unofficial organizations?

AFI 34-223, paragraph 2.2: “Small unofficial activities, like coffee funds, flower funds, sunshine funds, and other small operations are generally not considered POs. However, if their current assets (which include cash, inventories, receivables, and investments) exceed a monthly average rate of $1,000 over a 3-month period, the activity/organization must become a PO, discontinue on-base operations, or reduce its current assets below the $1,000 threshold. While unofficial orgs. are required to become a registered PO with FSS Resource Management once the $1,000 threshold is met, they do have the option to become a PO beforehand, if they wish.

How do we become a private organization?

A contact person from the executive board of your organization must contact the resource management office to set up a training session, about five to 10 minutes long. The office collects your constitution and bylaws and forwards them to the 81st Mission Support Group commander for approval. After the approval process is complete, the remaining documents are collected.

What are Unofficial Activities?

These are coffee funds, flower funds, sunshine funds and other small operations that are generally not considered Private Organizations (PO’s).

Unofficial Activities are authorized to conduct fundraisers just like regular private organizations (two per quarter, per calendar year) and are entitled to a bank account. Groups of this nature may not exceed a monthly average of $1,000 over a three-month period. If this is the case, the activity/organization must become a PO, discontinue on-base operations, or reduce its current assets below the $1,000 threshold.

What are the rules about Fundraisers?

Private organizations and unofficial activities are authorized two fundraisers per quarter, per calendar year. For example: two are allowed from Jan-Mar, two from Apr-Jun, two from Jul-Sep and two from Oct-Dec.

Please be aware that all fund raisers whether they are within your organization or public count against your two per quarter quota and must be approved by the Private Organization Office.

Download and complete the applicable forms and add all necessary information, obtain facility or building manager approval before submitting your request. Ensure you allow at least two weeks lead time and that you are aware that you will not be authorized to begin advertising until you request has been approved.

Is there anything else I need to know?

All requests, advertising and any private organization correspondence requires the following disclaimer as a footer: “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.

Private Organizations may not conduct games of change, lotteries, raffles or other gambling type activities except as provided in AFI 34-223 paragraph 10.16 and unofficial activities/organization may not conduct any of the above under any circumstances.