Greater Cincinnati Chapter MOAA Charitable Fund

BACKGROUND

For many years the Greater Cincinnati MOAA Chapter has made donations to local non-profit organizations that support the uniformed services, including active, reserve, retirees and former service members.  Donations are normally presented to these organizations at our December membership meeting. Amounts varied based on the Chapter’s financial position.

In the fall of 2025, the board began looking at establishing a chapter Donor Advised Fund (DAF), with the idea of building more structure into our giving, and to grow the fund over time to make a bigger impact.  The board created an advisory committee of five board and chapter members, headed by CAPT Steve Drefahl.  With board approval, the committee created an Agreement with the Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) to manage the fund for the chapter.  Also with board approval, the advisory committee developed Fund Operating Principles and Practices, a Timeline with key milestones for 2026, and a How to Donate guide.  We kicked of the Charitable Fund at the March 2026 membership meeting.

Key points of the chapter DAF are:

1. Donations to the fund are tax deductible.  GCF will send confirmation of donations.

2. Grants from the Fund can be made only to 501(c)(3) organizations that support the eight uniformed services in MOAA’s organization.

3. Chapter members who have donated can recommend a local qualifying non-profit organization for a grant consideration to the advisory committee. The committee will review grant applications and submit applicable grant applications to the board for final approval.

4. The fund is designed to run in perpetuity.

FUNDRAISING

A donor has committed to a matching gift of dollar for dollar in 2026 up to $10,000.  In 2027 and 2028, the donor will match donations of up to $5,000 each year.  So, by December, 2028, we have the potential to raise $40,000 to support the uniformed services in the community.  This will kick start the fund. The plan is to run annual fundraising campaigns to continue to grow the fund while increasing our donations to local non-profits that service our uniformed services.

FUNDRAISING 2026

As of June 1, 2026, all 24 board members and advisory committee members have donated to the fund.  That’s 100% participation! Totals through September 1, 2026, are:

Donations            $8905.68

Match                   $8905.68

Net Earnings          + $223.62 (all funds are invested by the GCF)

Total                   $18,034.98           

The Cincinnati Chapter 2026 general membership fundraising campaign runs from October 1, 2026, until December 31, 2026. All members and friends of the Cincinnati MOAA chapter are invited to donate to the fund during the campaign.  As of September 1, we need $1095 in donations to reach our 2026 goal of $10,000 in donations.  With the 2026 match, this will reach our overall goal of raising $20,000 in 2026. If we exceed the fundraising goal, the donor will increase the match. As an added incentive, all members who donate by December 1, 2026, will be eligible for a drawing for a $100 gift card at a local restaurant. The drawing will be held at our year-end membership meeting on December 11, 2026, at Clovernook Country Club. All members are encouraged to make a donation to the fund to enable a much greater and lasting support of local non-profit organizations that support our uniformed services.