The American Legion Auxiliary Foundation celebrated its 15th year of operation in 2022. In that time, over $790,000 has been granted to units and departments nationwide to fund projects that directly benefit veterans. In addition, the ALA Foundation has awarded over $490,000 to the American Legion Auxiliary to fund mission-related programs, like ALA Girls Nation and many others.
The funds available to fulfill these grant requests and cover program expenses come from our dedicated donors and the interest earned from the Mission Endowment Fund: the cog that keeps the Foundation’s wheel in motion. There are many advantages to having a healthy, growing endowment. Advantages include creating an ongoing source of income, enhancing organizational stability, relieving pressure on the operating budget, allowing program expansion, and providing independence. The purpose of the fund is to ensure the financial stability and longevity of the ALA Foundation. With a well-supported Foundation, it can continue to support our veteran projects, ALA programming, and honor all aspects of our important mission well into the future.
The Mission Endowment Fund offers options to meet new organizational challenges by providing greater financial flexibility and self-sustaining revenue streams. Endowment contributions designated for specific purposes can provide a measure of independence from outside forces. For example, an Indiana retirement community was in danger of losing its chaplain when the board resolved to terminate all programs except those that generated enough income to be self-sustaining. This inspired a concerned donor to make an endowment gift with the specific purpose of supporting the program. The end result? The chaplaincy program survived. Now, the program continues and enjoys a measure of independence from the need to generate income to support itself.
The future of the ALA Foundation is reliant upon your gifts to the Mission Endowment Fund. As the endowment grows, so does the opportunity to fund additional initiatives that will enable us to fulfill our mission of positively impacting the lives of veterans, military, and their families.
Join us and be a part of the ALA Foundation legacy. To learn more about the Foundation’s impact and make your tax-deductible gift, visit www.ALAFoundation.org or call (317) 569-4500 to discuss a special gift to the Mission Endowment Fund.
In the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.
