Team Fairchild raises awareness of raffle regulations Published Feb. 7, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Sam Fogleman 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- While raffles may seem like an appealing fundraising event, Team Fairchild private organizations need to be in accordance with Washington state law and Air Force regulations when organizing raffles, said base legal officials. "All requests to conduct a raffle are reviewed by the legal office," said Capt. Alexis Webster, 92nd Air Refueling Wing Judge Advocate preventive law and legal assistance chief. "Air Force regulations require raffles comply with the law of the state in which the installation is located and, in the state of Washington, the requirements to conduct a raffle are very rigorous." Private organizations wishing to conduct a raffle must be organized as a nonprofit or charitable organization under Washington state law with operation under that purpose for at least one year prior to the raffle. The private organization should speak with the 92nd Force Support Squadron or visit the Washington State Gambling Commission website for the specific rules. The base legal office is not allowed to provide legal advice to private organizations or to their members on matters regarding the private organization. Lastly, monies raised from a raffle can only be used for limited purposes. In this regard, AFI 34-223, Private Organizations Program rules, is more restrictive than Washington state law, Webster said. AFI 34-223, paragraph 10.16 and its subparagraphs limit how a private organization can spend the proceeds. Raffle proceeds can only be used for a charitable, civic, or other community welfare purpose within the Department of Defense community and must directly benefit DOD personnel or their family members. The proceeds cannot be used for purely social, recreational or entertainment purposes, such as a unit holiday party. Examples of proper expenditures include purchasing new playground equipment at a child development center or new furnishings at a youth center, funding a scholarship program for DOD personnel and their family members, donating money to base scouting organizations, or providing food, clothing, shelter or other relief to needy DOD personnel or their families. "For private organizations at Fairchild, this means the proceeds from an approved raffle can be used to fund scholarship programs for DOD personnel and their family members, or even to provide food, clothing, shelter, or other relief to needy DOD personnel and their families," said Lana Winner, 92nd Force Support Squadron private organization monitor. "Proceeds from approved raffles cannot be used to cover the cost of a weekend ski trip for the private organization." If a private organization conducts a raffle for needy DOD families, the private organization cannot give the money directly to the family. The private organization should provide the needy family food, clothing or shelter. The proceeds also cannot be used for local or national groups that are not organized primarily for the benefit of DOD personnel or their family members, for example, the American Heart Association, Webster said. This list of restrictions is not all-inclusive. If a private organization has specific questions, it should contact the 92nd FSS. For further information regarding raffles, please contact the Fairchild legal office at 509-247-2838 or the 92nd FSS at 509-247-2545.