Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) is a non-profit charitable organization of the United States Coast Guard. As the official relief society of the United States Coast Guard, the organization provides financial support to the Coast Guard community.^[1][2] This 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. As of 2021, it has provided more than $230 million in financial assistance since its founding in 1924.^[3]

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Founded	1924
Location	Arlington, Virginia
Key people	Admiral Kevin Lunday (Chair) Rear Admiral Zeita Merchant (President) Brooke Millard, CDR, USCG (Ret) (CEO)
Website	www.mycgma.org

There are 600 CGMA Representatives at 96 shore units and over 40 cutters based in 32 states and territories, including Puerto Rico and Guam. CGMA receives no federal funds and relies on bequests and donations from the Coast Guard community. Most of its financial assistance is provided through interest-free loans and personal grants. CGMA provides over 40 programs including educational support, 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. For nine years in a row, CGMA has received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.^[4]

The Supplemental Education Grant (SEG) program was enhanced in 2015 and doubled in 2023.^[5] There is also a Layette Program that supplies a baby's supplies-related package for the family.^[6] In 2017, CGMA provided 6 million dollars to its clients.

During the 2018–2019 United States federal government shutdown, CGMA helped Coast Guard members pay for food and other expenses.^[2] Those with dependents 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 has a number of programs, including:^[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 representative of the Coast Guard community it serves. 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. ^[12]

History

• 1924 – The League of Coast Guard Women was founded.
• 1941 – Coast Guard Welfare is established and assumes the League's mission.
• 1960's- Coast Guard Welfare creates its disaster relief program to help Coast Guard members affected by hurricanes.
• 1979 – The name changes to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance.
• 1998 – CGMA is incorporated into the Commonwealth of Virginia but maintains co-located with Coast Guard Personnel Services Command.
• 2005 – CGMA distributes $3 million in direct aid to those affected by hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.
• 2017 – CGMA distributes $2.6 million in direct aid to those affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria and provides $6.3 million to more than 5,200 Coast Guard families through interest-free loans and grants.
• 2018 – CGMA provides $5.3 million in financial aid to ~5,000 Coast Guard families.
• 2019 - CGMA delivers $8 million in payroll loans to support Coasties affected by the 35-day lapse of appropriation.
• 2022 – CGMA processes 5,408 cases serving 4,270 Coast Guard members, providing $6.7 million in total and $2.4 million in grants.
• 2024- CGMA processes 6,000 cases, delivering $8.5 million in direct support to the Coast Guard community, $2.9 million in grants.