History & Heritage
1983
Founded in 1983, the First Command Educational Foundation (FCEF), originally the USPA & IRA Educational Foundation, was established as a private foundation within First Command Financial Services (then USPA & IRA), a company founded by Lt. Col. Carroll H. Payne, a B-29 aircraft commander based in Guam during World War II. Its mission was to educate those who serve. The Foundation became a federally recognized nonprofit organization in 1984 and was created to provide scholarships to educate those who serve our nation and their families.
The original charter focused on awarding scholarships to qualified and exemplary recipients, reflecting a commitment to helping military families finance their education and prepare for retirement.
2001
The Foundation became the First Command Educational Foundation to better reflect its mission and long-standing connection to the military community it serves. That same year, it strengthened its commitment to military families by establishing an independent board of directors, ensuring continued focus on education and advocacy while addressing the unique needs of service members and their families across all branches of the military.
2006
The IRS formally recognized the Foundation as a public charity. This designation marked a pivotal milestone, allowing FCEF to broaden its impact and deepen its engagement with military families and communities across the country.
FCEF expanded its reach to include structured in-person and online financial education courses, a volunteer Speakers Bureau providing real-world financial education, and scholarship programs supporting both undergraduate and graduate education. These efforts reflected the realities of military life, including frequent moves, deployments, career transitions, and the importance of long-term financial readiness.
2025
The FCEF Board of Directors made the decision to return to its core mission of providing scholarships for service members, veterans, and their families, ending its financial education programs. By realigning its focus, the Foundation invests more directly in students and increases the impact of every donation. It also launched a new scholarship program, the Military Spouse Scholarship Program, awarding nearly $30,000 to military spouses.
As the Foundation looks to the future, it will continue expanding its scholarship programs and partnerships, including support for veterans at career pivot points, service members transitioning to civilian life, additional scholarships for children of military families, and disabled veterans facing unique educational challenges.
To honor this return to its core mission, the Foundation updated its mission statement to: investing in the legacy of those who serve through scholarships.
Today, the First Command Educational Foundation remains dedicated to supporting the educational goals and dreams of service members, veterans, and military families.
“Giving the gift of an education creates a legacy.”
-Justin Kistler, Former FCEF Board Member
