MOAA’s charitable mission dates back more than 77 years, with the creation of the MOAA Scholarship Fund. In the decades that followed, we continued to expand our mission and created The MOAA Foundation, offering valuable support in career transition, spouse professional development, community service, and most recently through our crisis-relief grants.
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Our two Platinum-rated charities have been among MOAA’s greatest success stories. But as we have experienced record applications and increased need, we knew we needed to and could do even more to better serve both our generous donors and those needing our support.
With that in mind, I am pleased to share The MOAA Foundation and the MOAA Scholarship Fund have united under a single organizational structure: MOAA Charities. This change reflects a thoughtful, strategic effort to strengthen our ability to support military families, veterans, caregivers, and survivors — now and in the years to come. The goal is simple: increase our impact while preserving the programs, donor options, and traditions that are core to our mission. We know we can and are therefore posturing ourselves to do more.
Right up front I want to emphasize that the mission has not changed. We remain fully committed to empowering military families and veterans, supporting their journeys, strengthening their lives, and honoring their service. Your philanthropic intent remains our guiding principle.
Setting Charity Records
- The Scholarship Fund saw record demand in 2025 with 1,880 applications and more than $18 million awarded in interest-free loans and grants for children in uniformed services families pursuing higher education. Since its inception, the fund has provided more than $175 million in educational assistance.
- MOAA Charities last year distributed more than $435,000 through its Crisis Relief program – an all-time high. Created in 2020, with an initial mission to provide support during the COVID pandemic, the crisis relief program has provided more than $1.2 million in grants to more than 1,000 uniformed service members, veterans, and their families in crisis situations.
- MOAA’s community outreach grants, awarded to councils and chapters to support local service projects, continues to grow in applicant requests and awards. Last year set a new record with $130,000 awarded.
For donors who contributed in the past to both the Scholarship Fund and Foundation, it will mean an easier path to donate in the future. Past, present, and future donor intent will remain paramount and will always be honored.
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That means every designated scholarship created by a donor will continue to serve students as originally intended. And every donation designated for crisis relief will continue to help veterans in unforeseen circumstances. Every program you support will continue to receive the same level of focus and investment. And your options for designating your donations will be fully available and remain the same.
In addition to delivering more programs and improving the donor experiences, our new unified charities arrangement reduces administrative overhead and streamlines our financial, reporting, and governance systems at MOAA headquarters. This means more staff time and more resources can be directed to scholarships, crisis relief, fundraising, and other critical programs.
By working as one organization, we can invest more deeply, operate more efficiently, and serve more uniformed families and veterans with clarity and confidence.
Our association turns 100 in just under three years. This structure is built for durability and growth, ensuring that MOAA Charities remains a trusted partner for the next 100 years.
[RELATED: Building a Stronger Association in 2026]
We are grateful for your ongoing support and commitment to Never Stop Serving. Your dedication has changed lives, and we are proud to partner with you to continue to positively impact our uniformed service community.
Support The MOAA Foundation
Donate to help address emerging needs among currently serving and former uniformed servicemembers, retirees, and their families.
