What could your unit do with $10,000?

Posted On: Friday, 24 January 2025

Guest blog post by Cathe MacInnes, American Legion Auxiliary Foundation Board of Directors president  
 
As ALA National President Trish Ward travels throughout the country, she’s encouraging members to raise funds for the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation's Veteran Projects Fund. Donations from the ALA Challenge Decks are a large portion of that fundraising. The ALA Challenge Deck provides information about the ALA Foundation and the Veteran Projects Fund, as well as the programs of the ALA. To learn more about the ALA Challenge Deck, please click here
 
However, the ALA Foundation board does not want the funds raised through this initiative to sit in a bank account. Let’s put those dollars to work — supporting and enhancing the lives of veterans — by distributing Veteran Projects Fund grants. 
 
The Veteran Projects Fund gives ALA entities an opportunity to begin a new volunteer initiative or forge partnerships with organizations that provide services directly to veterans — like a transitional housing facility. Veteran Projects Fund grants are awarded up to $10,000 to eligible American Legion Auxiliary tax-exempt entities — units, districts/counties, and departments (states) — for projects that meet a new, one-time need.
 
If you’re thinking about applying for a Veteran Projects Fund grant, start by asking these questions: 

  • What’s happening in your community to support veterans? 
  • Is there a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical center close to you?
  • Does your ALA entity have a relationship with a state veterans home?
  • Are there transitional housing units for veterans and military families in your community?
  • Are there any homeless veteran shelters nearby?
If the answer is yes to any of those questions but you’re not sure what the organization needs, check their website – most have an easily located “wish list” from which you can choose. Contact a representative from the organization and see how you can best work together to fulfill their needs. 
 
Veteran Projects Fund grants do require the ALA entity to provide 20% of the total project’s funding cost. For example, if a transitional housing facility needs a $4,500 walk-in refrigerator, the unit would have to invest $900, and the ALA Foundation would grant the remaining $3,600. There are many ways to secure funding for the 20% match such as ask for donations from unit members or secure an employee match from a unit member’s workplace. 

For more information about the Veteran Projects Fund or to apply for a grant, visit www.ALAFoundation.org. For questions, contact ALAFoundation@ALAforVeterans.org or call (317) 569-4500. 

ALA Mission
Statement

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.