Air Force Association
Airman for Life
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
CyberPatriot
CyberPatriot the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association (AFA) to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation's future.
StellarXplorers
STELLARXPLORERS inspires and attracts high school students to pursue studies and careers in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through a challenging, space system design competition
involving all aspects of system development and operation with a spacecraft/payload focus.
Mitchell Institute
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies is an independent, nonpartisan policy research institute established to provide creative, insightful policy options that better empower our nation's leaders by:
Informing the national security debate
Educating about aerospace power's unique role in securing America's global interests and
Cultivating airminded talent
Quite often this involves questioning established doctrine, organizational constructs, and operational concepts, asking whether there is a better way to meet desired goals. The Mitchell Institute provides independent, sound analysis outlining the right solutions in the aerospace domain to protect our nation.
Wounded Airman Program
AFA created the Wounded Airman Program in 2011 with a focus on Airmen taking care of Airmen. Our Air Force Association family is made up of many supporters beyond those that have had the privilege of wearing the Air Force uniform. We are family members, community supporters, spouses, and friends. We are all Airmen and we will always take care of our own. AFA's Wounded Airman Program ensures that our Air Force brothers and sisters who have given so much to our great country will always be taken care of by their Air Force family.
Our program provides life-changing assistance to seriously wounded, ill, and injured Airmen and their families. We step up to help in the times they need it most. The Wounded Airman Program supports the Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) program on its mission to provide personalized support and advocacy to wounded Airmen and their families.
But we can’t change so many lives on our own. Donors, sponsors, volunteers, and others help us care for all of our brothers and sisters during all stages of service in the Air Force. Through the support of our local communities and national sponsors, we have provided more than $500,000 to wounded Airmen and their families.
Aerospace Education
AFA believes in the power that students hold in securing our nation’s future. Yet, only 16 percent of American high school seniors are interested in careers in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). To equip our students with the knowledge and skills required for future innovation, we must increase the number of students and teachers in STEM fields.
AFA is part of the nationwide initiative to improve STEM learning—including aerospace education—to better prepare students for the competitive global economy and increase their chances of becoming future leaders who solve our nation’s toughest challenges.
We support aerospace education and STEM through awards, grants, scholarships, professional development opportunities, and programs.
Where we work
External reviews
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force Heritage.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
EDUCATE the public on the critical need for unmatched aerospace power and a technically superior workforce to ensure U.S. national security.
ADVOCATE for aerospace power and STEM education.
SUPPORT the total Air Force family and promote aerospace education.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Through the efforts of 90,000 members, more than 200 chapters across the country, and AFA Community Partners.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
AFA's accomplishments in the last few years:
November 2011: AFA establishes its Wounded Airman Program (WAP).
September 2014: AFA renames headquarters building to the Jimmy Doolittle building.
April 2015: AFA's StellarXplorers program hosts its first competition. StellarXplorers is a rigorous hands-on space system design challenge that involves all aspects of system development and operation, focusing on spacecraft and payload.
September 2017: AFA commemorates 70th anniversary of the USAF with record-setting attendance at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference.
March 2018: AFA hosts Pilot Summit to assist USAF with pilot retention/recruitment.
To see more of AFA's accomplishments, please visit www.afa.org/why-join to view the "History" section
Progress will be communicated through periodic letters and reports such as our annual report which can be viewed on our website at www.afa.org/why-join/afa-top-issues-and-annual-report
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Air Force Association
Board of directorsas of 02/23/2022
Gerald R. Murray
AFA Chairman of the Board
Term: 2020 - 2022
Stephen Gourley
AFA Vice Chairman of the Board, Aerospace Education
Mike Liqouri
AFA Secretary of the Board
Leonard R. Vernamonti
AFA National Director
Hans Mark
AFA Emeritus
Robert R. Marsh
AFA Emeritus
William V. McBride
AFA Emeritus
James M. McCoy
AFA Emeritus
Thomas J. McKee
AFA Emeritus
Craig R. McKinley
AFA Emeritus
George K. Muellner
AFA Emeritus
Chuck Martin
AFA Board Treasurer
Jim Simons
AFA Vice Chairman of the Board, Field Operations
Joseph M. Burke
AFA National Director
Thomas Deale
AFA National Director
Kathleen Ferguson
AFA National Director
David Goldfein
AFA National Director
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 02/23/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.