Grants

Grants to help mission outreach grow

Since you are in the business of caring for our veterans and military in need, you understand that financial resources are required to do the work effectively. And chances are if you had a little more money, you would be able to help more people. The American Legion Auxiliary Foundation is here to help. You may be eligible to receive financial assistance through an American Legion Auxiliary Foundation grant!

For more information about each grant, including what grants can be awarded for, please click on the applications at the bottom of the page.

Veteran Projects Fund Grants | How to Apply for a Veteran Projects Fund Grant
As American Legion Auxiliary members, our mission to assist veterans, military, and their families has never been as critical as it is today. Nearly half of post-9/11 veterans are being diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or TBI (traumatic brain injury). Suicide rates among these veterans have climbed to startling rates. And many volunteer U.S. servicemembers have been deployed to war zones multiple times.

Coming home may be the end of one journey for many veterans, but it also is the beginning of a new journey as they attempt to transition to a “new normal.” Helping them get there is the core of the purpose and service of the American Legion Auxiliary. Members are passionate about providing care and comfort to our heroic defenders of freedom who are so highly deserving of everything we can possibly do for them.

If your Auxiliary unit, district/county, or department identifies a specific, emergent need for your local veterans or active military, the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation Veteran Projects Fund may be able to lend a helping hand.
Brief grant application guidelines:

• The applicant must be an American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) entity – unit, district/county, or department.
• The proposal must address a specific, emergent need by an ALA entity that supports veterans, military, and their families. An emergent need is a new need appearing, arising, occurring, or developing for the first time.
• The American Legion Auxiliary Foundation will fund small emergent need projects in the amount of $1,000 – $5,000, and in unusual circumstances an amount no greater than $10,000.
• One grant per grantee in a 12 month period will be awarded.
• Funds may not be used to reimburse expenses paid prior to grant approval.

Sub Grants
American Legion Auxiliary units, districts/counties, or departments that have identified a source for grant funding from a foundation or corporation that requires the recipient to be a 501(c)(3) can have the ALA Foundation serve as the recipient. The ALA Foundation will then, in turn, sub-grant to the unit, district/county, or department according to the terms and conditions of the grantor. In order for sub-granting of 3rd party grants to be considered, they must support the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Veterans Creative Arts Festival Grants | How to Apply for a VCAF Grant

The purpose of the Veterans Creative Arts Festival (VCAF) Grants is to aid in the well-being of veterans by introducing them to art therapy. Whether used for workshops, preparation for, or facilitation of local competitions which feed into the National festival, grant funds may be requested for needs that contribute to this effort.

Brief Grant Guidelines

• The applicant must be an American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) entity – unit, district/county, or department.
• The American Legion Auxiliary Foundation will fund grants up to $2,500.
• One grant per grantee in a 12 month period will be awarded.
• Funds may not be used to reimburse expenses paid prior to grant approval.

Mission in Action Grants
The ALA Foundation wants to help your unit, district/county, or department take to the streets and put the ALA mission in action! If your ALA entity wants to: transport items to a food pantry or local shelter, set up a mobile Stand Down vehicle, create a mobile shower unit, transport Christmas gifts to veterans and military families, or deliver meals to homeless veterans, then this option is for you!

The Mission in Action grant can help our members be recognizable in the community for all of their good works throughout the year. We want to make sure members stand out by providing a means to transport all of your goods and materials in an ALA branded vehicle. Following are examples of Mission in Action vehicles and other attention-getting branding opportunities: plastic storage totes, utility trailer, cargo trailer, vehicle wraps, car/trailer magnets, and car/trailer/tote deals.
Brief Grant Guidelines

• The applicant must be an American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) entity – unit, district/county, or department.
• The proposal must address a specific ALA branding need that will help members with mission delivery and be recognizable in the community. The project must support the ALA mission or an ALA program identified in the national Programs Action Plan.
• The American Legion Auxiliary Foundation will fund grants up to $5,000.
• One grant per grantee in a 12 month period will be awarded.
• Funds may not be used to reimburse expenses paid prior to grant approval.