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Terms of Reference

Revisions to the Military Families Fund Terms of Reference
 

1. Since it was first established in 2007, Canadians have been exceptionally generous in contributing to the Military Families Fund (MFF) as a way of enhancing morale and welfare programs/services to CF members.  More specifically, the MFF has been the beneficiary of donations from individuals, small businesses, corporations, and foundations, and has received proceeds from a plethora of fundraising events.  Collectively, these gifts have enabled the MFF, established as a Non-Public Property (NPP) account within CFPFSS, to quickly respond to the unique, unforeseen and often immediate needs of hundreds of military members and their families.

2. The experience of the past five years, in terms of donations received and financial support provided, has been exceptionally informative.  A recent analysis has shown a slow-creep away from the original intent of the Fund and its linkage to ‘conditions of service.’ Thus, effective immediately, the MFF Terms of Reference have been revised to ensure that funds are dispersed where they are most needed, based on the sacrifices that military members and their families make as part of a broader CF Community.  In addition, I am re-instating the MFF as the fund of ‘last resort,’ vice the fund of ‘first resort.’  Indeed, in assisting our members, we should be looking to other established support agencies (be they local, provincial or federal) first before making an MFF application.  The helping professionals on Bases and Wings, and the MFRCs can provide excellent advice on how to secure such alternate forms of assistance. 

3. Having said that, some situations require immediate assistance, and the MFF was designed to respond quickly when required.  In those cases where immediate action is essential, then you and your staff have my full support.  If later it is determined that other funding sources were/are available, these can be pursued, and the MFF repaid if possible.  More deliberate application of the qualifying criteria, in conjunction with the generation of regular sources of income will contribute to a more sustainable MFF well into the future.  

4. As the front-line interface with military members and their families, you and your key staff need to be aware of the revised MFF Terms of Reference and ensure adherence so that members of the CF community receive timely, effective and appropriate support.  The changes focus on the following four areas:  Beneficiaries; Types of Assistance, Criteria for Support and Purposes of Financial Assistance, each of which is described in the paragraphs that follow.

5. Beneficiary.  There is a small but subtle change to the definition of a beneficiary.  The definition now reads as follows:

A beneficiary includes any individual related by blood or law to a serving or former CF member, or to a member of that individual’s immediate family who meets the criteria for financial assistance established by the Terms of Reference.  A beneficiary may include a spouse, parent, grandparent, guardian, child, grandchild, brother, sister, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.  In addition, MFF assistance may be extended to an individual who is not related to a CF member by blood or law if the relationship between the CF member and the individual is or has been of significance to the CF member. 

6. Types of Assistance.  MFF assistance/support can be provided in one of three ways:

a. Individual.  MFF assistance may be extended as either a grant or a loan to an individual beneficiary. To date, no MFF loans have been extended.  Moving forward, where applicable, MFF loans vice grants should be given serious consideration;

b. Program/Service. MFF  assistance may be provided to offset the costs of a program/service that delivers support to beneficiaries.  The provisions governing support  for a program/service need to be specifically defined and endorsed by the SOT Executive Committee; and
c. Flow-through.  In some cases, support may be provided from the MFF as flow-through funding from a third party partner or organization, in which case the terms surrounding that support can be individually negotiated.  

7. Criteria.  In order to distinguish the MFF from other social support networks funded by federal, provincial, and not-for-profit organizations/ agencies, financial support from the MFF is restricted to those individuals/ beneficiaries who meet the following criteria:   

a. Linked to Conditions of Services.  The condition or situation giving rise to the MFF request must derive from the unique demands that are placed on military members and/or their families.  When MFF assistance is sought, there must be a clear and definitive linkage to the unique conditions of military service.  Unique demands of military life are often expressed in terms of:

i) unlimited liability and personal sacrifice;

ii) frequent moves and relocations;

ii) frequent and/or prolonged periods of absence;

iii) death of extended family and traditional support networks in close proximity; and

iv) lack of continuity in spousal employment, family education and health care;

b. Financial Need.  The beneficiary must have a need that cannot be supported from current personal financial resources, including access to grants, loans or lines of credit from family, financial institutions, or other programs/services.  There must be a verifiable requirement for the financial assistance being requested;

c. Chain of Command Endorsement. The request for MFF assistance must be supported by the chain of command.  The chain of command plays an important role in helping individuals obtain information about, and in many cases, access to necessary support.  When dealing with former members, VAC and the Legion are valuable sources of information on a beneficiary’s financial status;      

d. Unique/Individual Cases.  All cases must be evaluated and considered on their own merits, and no case can create a precedent for another; and

e. Exceptional Circumstances.  Notwithstanding the above, in exceptional circumstances, MFF support can be provided to beneficiaries even though the above-stated criteria are not met.  These cases shall be rare and applications which are intended to qualify for support on this basis are to be clearly and specifically identified as such.

8. Purposes of Financial Assistance.  The following are examples of support to individual beneficiaries:

a. Mental Health Support.  Cover the costs of counselling and travel costs (above those funded from other sources) for the parents of a fallen member;

b. Home Care (including associated travel costs).  Cover the costs of a parent who provides support to an ill/injured military member, when such care is not covered by publicly funded programs; and

c. Basic needs (heat/hydro/food).  Provide financial support for basic needs when a former member is transitioning from one support network to another.

9. You should also be aware that the MFF is now part of the Support Our Troops (SOT) umbrella along with the Soldier On Fund and the Hospital Comforts Fund.  While each Fund will continue to exist on its own merits with its own terms and conditions, this construct brings greater strength and flexibility to the management of the Funds.  At the same time, the MFF Executive Committee has been re-cast as the SOT Executive Committee, with a revised Terms of Reference.

10. The changes detailed above can be found within SOT and MFF documentation posted to the CFPSA website.  I ask that you ensure that this information is disseminated within your respective organization.  Questions/comments on the issues herein may be directed to Jo-Anne MacDonald, Director Strategic Outreach & Initiatives, at 613-947-3839.

11. In closing, please let me tell you that I do not underestimate how difficult this task can be.  I know from first-hand experience that we face many challenges, and become involved in very difficult situations that tug on our heartstrings.  My intent is not to suggest we should be any less caring, it is simply an effort to return to the original principles of the Fund and encourage individual responsibility where and when appropriate.

Brigadier-General F. G. Bigelow
Director General Personnel and Family Support Services