Editor’s Note: Please follow the process and submit your requests through your MWR program. Units, commands, and other interested stakeholders are not authorized to contact the Coast Guard Foundation directly regarding shipmate funds.
The Coast Guard Foundation’s Shipmate Fund (SMF) supports the physical fitness, morale, and recreational needs of Coast Guard commands.
You can submit your unit’s request now.
In previous years, the SMF has provided funding to Sector Buffalo to fill and refurbish their sand volleyball pit. SMF enabled Air Station Sitka to procure a floor hockey ensemble kit, complete with goalie gear, nets, and pads to contain the puck in the hanger. Marine Safety Detachment Lafeyette, Louisiana, received funding for a 60-inch crawfish boiler. (I don’t know what that is, but I want to find out.) The CG Cutter Bluebell, out of Portland, Oregon, was funded for four standup paddleboards and four kayaks.
What you can request
You can request almost any kind of fitness, morale, and recreational items valued between $1,000 and $25,000. The foundation will consider requests for small human-powered watercraft, but units receiving funding for watercraft will be required to comply with the Coast Guard’s watercraft policies. You must have approval by the appropriate facilities engineering staff and/or civil engineering unit prior to initiating the project if you are requesting self-help projects.
What you cannot request
SMF is not an alternative funding source for required infrastructure, safety or mission-related equipment or material. Examples of items that have been denied funding include professional development materials, unaccompanied personnel housing furniture, government-owned housing items, construction projects, safety related items, and office equipment. Requests for construction, services, memberships and motorized MWR boats will not be considered.
How to submit your request
Each unit may submit up to two requests using the "District Shipmate Fund Request List Template," including a one-sentence description of the item(s) your unit intends to purchase. Field units must submit their requests to their MWR director by June 30.
Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Directors at Bases Alameda, Boston, Cleveland, Honolulu, Kodiak, New Orleans, Miami Beach, Portsmouth and Seattle will receive, consolidate, and prioritize requests from all Coast Guard units (such as sectors, districts, areas, training centers and headquarters) located in their geographic area.
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