About Us
Moving Forward: Creating a Foundation
Over the past few years, based on suggestions from the membership, research by staff and volunteers and the ever increasing demand for support which frequently translates to increased funding requirements, the Association has looked for ways to improve our efforts in the scholarship arena. We have concluded that the best way to do this is to create a separate foundation. Earlier in 2003, CW5 Frank Meeks, then National President of USAWOA, asked me to tackle setting up a Scholarship Foundation.
Why did we create a foundation?
We felt this action was necessary due to the USAWOA federal tax categorization. The Internal Revenue Service determined that USAWOA was a “Not for profit, Social Welfare Organization.” The precise IRS categorization was “501(c) (4).” USAWOA was assigned this category at the time of it's founding.
First, we wished to become eligible for participation in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). We learned that it is extremely difficult for 501(c) (4) organizations to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign.
Secondly, we sought to clarify the “tax deductibility” question for present and potential financial donors.
The 1972 IRS tax category designation letter clearly states that: “As a social welfare organization contributions to you are not deductible by donors. You should advise your contributors to that effect.”
Therefore, we took action to establish an official, charitable organization related to replacing the current USAWOA program. This was in the form of a “foundation” to administer the scholarship program. The IRS categorizes charitable organizations as “501(c) (3).” Gifts to 501(c) (3) organizations are fully (and generally unquestionably) tax-deductible. Also, virtually all of the organizations now participating in the CFC are 501(c) (3) organizations. By establishing the foundation, we became eligible to participate in the CFC and clarify the tax deducibility situation regarding donations to the foundation.
While the foundation is structured as a stand-alone entity, we can accept and hope for financial support from both individuals and from corporate organizations. The foundation cannot succeed or even exist for very long without this critical support. This new approach to what was excellent efforts by USAWOA in the past will hopefully result in increased members donations and encourage corporations to also donate to both projects. This will of course increase the benefits derived by the membership as well as enhance the reputation of USAWOA as an organization that is greatly concerned about its members, their families, the organization and the Warrant Officer Corps. I assure you that the final results generated by the foundation will not differ from the final results generated by USAWOA Headquarters staff, only the path by which those results are achieved.
Here’s where we are with these actions.
The Commonwealth of Virginia approved the request to incorporate The United States Army Warrant Officers Association Scholarship Foundation on 28 March 2003.
Then USAWOA President CW5 Frank Meeks appointed the initial Directors of the Foundation. The Directors then held an organizational meeting (17 April 2003) to elect Foundation officers. Foundation officers are: CW4 (Retired) Donald Hess, Chairman; CW5 (Retired) Richard Scalzo, Secretary; CW4 James White, Treasurer; and, directors CW4 (Retired) Robert Scott and CW4 (Retired) Frank Stamey.
USAWOA members should recognize the names. Don Hess is USAWOA founder and President Emeritus. Dick Scalzo was Immediate Past USAWOA National President. Jim White was Immediate Past USAWOA National Vice President. Bob Scott and Frank Stamey are also Past National Presidents.
On 3 April 2003, the IRS assigned the Foundation an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and in July 2004 the IRS granted the Foundation Non-Profit Status under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code,
We have moved on to completing implementing actions such as separating bank accounts and accounting systems; apply for “Authorization to Solicit” in the jurisdictions that require this process. There are 40 states or entities that require this authorization. Finally we will apply for inclusion in the CFC for 2004.
Grantham University Online - The USAWOA Scholarship Foundation, in conjunction with Grantham University, is proud to announce the award of Grantham University On-Line Scholarships. These 5 course scholarships have a value of approximately $5,000.00 based on 5 – 15 credit hour courses, books and fees, according to Grantham.
Allnatt Scholarship Fund Created - During the 2005 the USAWOA Scholarship Foundation received information that funding available from the John and Jean Allnatt Estate as the probate is coming to an end and the attorneys serving as the executor distribute the estate. The funding received is adequate to fully fund several annual Allnatt Scholarships
USAWOA Scholarship Foundation Accepted in 2005 National CFC Campaign - The USAWOA Scholarship Foundation is proud to announce that it has been accepted as a participant in the 2005 National Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). The Foundation has been assigned the organization code number of
11871. The CFC Campaign runs from September
1st to December 15th each year.
USAWOA Scholarship Foundation Changes it's Fund Raising Tactics - No more
summer Raffle
(July 1, 2008)
- There
are several ways each of you can contribute to insure we can meet our award
commitments. First, you can set up an allotment to the USAWOA Scholarship
Foundation. Second, you can have your financial institution create an
Automatic Clearing House (ACH) transaction to be taken from your account on a
recurring cycle, weekly, bimonthly, monthly, quarterly, etc. Third, you can
choose to make a pledge during the Combined Federal Campaign. And finally you
can write a check and mail it to the Foundation. See
more about the
rational leading to this change and how the above methods work.
Questions about the Scholarship Foundation may be addressed to:
Business Office
USAWOA Scholarship Foundation
462 Herndon Pkwy, Suite 207, c/o USAWOA
Herndon, VA 20170-5235
703-742-7727, Fax 703-742-7728,
Make a Donation to
the Scholarship Foundation by Credit Card or Check
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) ID 11871
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USAWOA Scholarship Foundation
9/2/2008
