• The League is governed by a Board of Governors comprising fifteen Canadian Citizens, representing all provinces and territories
• The Board meets annually, chooses a President, Vice-Presidents, Executive Committee, National Honours and Awards Committee, National Fund Raising Committee, National Finance Committee, National Flying Committee, Policies and Procedures Committee, Effective Speaking Contest Committee and National Selections Committee.
• There is also an Advisory Board made up of the Past-Presidents of the League.
• The Board maintains a full-time administrative headquarters in Ottawa under the supervision of the Executive Director. This office works closely with NDHQ and provides year-round supervision and administration of the Air Cadet League and its numerous activities in support of 444 Squadrons.

• There are twelve Provincial Committees, one for each province, one for the Northern Territories, and one for N.W. Ontario.
• The membership comprises all local Sponsoring Committee Chairmen, plus such other persons as may be elected. Provision is made for prominent and influential citizens to associate themselves with the Provincial Committees as members of Advisory Councils. Provincial Committees meet annually, elect a Provincial Chairman, Vice-President and other officers and, in some cases, employ full-time secretaries or managers.
• In a number of provinces there are also Regional Committees which come under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Committee.
• Provincial Committees supervise the activities of all Air Cadet units in their respective areas and are financed by means of public subscription and the support of their member squadrons.

The balance sheets of the Provincial Committees reveal that for the year ended August 31, 1995, all twelve committees raised in excess of $1,948,000.00 in support of Canada's 25,000 Air Cadets.

In addition, Provincial Committees of the Air Cadet League across Canada own all the Gliders and Aircraft that they provide to the Canadian Forces for Air Cadet Glider Pilot Training and Familiarization Flying. The fleet is valued at $2,825,000.00 not including trailers, winches and parts on hand which makes the operation worth more than three million dollars.

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Organization - Local Level

Air Cadet Squadrons are supported through various forms of voluntary personal involvement, financial contributions, the provision of extra activities for the cadets, and other material assistance. Three distinct groups of people may provide that support to and be affiliated with a specific squadron:

• Sponsor;
• Sponsoring Committee; and
• Supporter

Air Cadet Squadrons have an Air Cadet League approved “Sponsor” or “Sponsoring Organization”. That Sponsor may be a club, an element of an association or other organization, or it may be a group of persons, such as a parents’ committee, formed specifically to sponsor a particular squadron. A Sponsor must subscribe to the aims and objectives of the League, and must be willing to provide assistance to their squadron as required by the League. A Sponsor is responsible for creating and maintaining the Sponsoring Committee.

The basic unit in the administrative structure of the Air Cadet League at the Local level is the Sponsoring Committee. They are often described as the “backbone of the Air Cadet Movement”, because one of the real secrets to the success of an Air Cadet Squadron is a well organized and effective Sponsoring Committee. Members of the Sponsoring Committee are the persons who directly interact with the CIC officers, civilian staff, and cadets of their squadron. The Chairperson of the Sponsoring Committee normally is a member of a Sponsoring Organization associated with the squadron, but other members of the Committee may be elected or appointed from outside that organization.

The Sponsoring Committee of an Air Cadet Squadron shall be responsible for:

• (a) assisting in recruiting suitable persons to be cadets in their squadron;
• (b) making recommendations through their Provincial Committee to the appropriate Region Commander regarding the appointment, promotion, transfer or release of CIC officers for their cadet squadron;
• (c) assisting in recruiting suitable candidates for replacement officers and for positions as civilian instructors or volunteers;
• (d) inviting suitable persons to be members of the Sponsoring Committee;
• (e) liaison with other cadet unit Sponsoring Committees;
• (f) providing appropriate accommodation for their squadron’s training, administration and stores when it is not provided by the CF;
• (g) providing training aids and equipment, including band instruments, not supplied by the CF;
• (h) arranging cadet recreational programs;
• (i) providing transportation, when not available from the CF, for local training exercises;
• (j) providing for the financial and administrative needs of the squadron;
• (k) supporting Provincial Committee activities;
• (l) providing input to cadets’ applications for summer training; and
• (m) providing such other facilities or assistance as may be mutually agreed between the Sponsor, the Sponsoring Committee, and the CF.

The essential point is that the sponsorship of a squadron be done well, regardless of how the committee is set up; what is required is a sound basic organization that meets League requirements and good leadership. Sponsoring Committees generate over $6,500,000 annually through donations and fund raising to support their local Air Cadet program. In addition to support received from its Sponsor, an Air Cadet Squadron may receive assistance and support from other organizations, groups or individuals. Such organizations, groups, or individuals may be formally recognized as Supporters of the squadron or squadrons concerned. A Supporter usually provides assistance in the form of periodic financial donations to a squadron; awards to the cadets of the squadron; talks to the cadets; or in other ways. Supporter affiliation can be of significant value to a squadron.