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 National
Emergency
Fund
The American Legion National Emergency Fund was established in 1989 to be used
to meet the needs of Posts or an individual member of the Legion family (Legion,
Auxiliary or SAL) in areas stricken by natural disasters. Since disasters are
not restricted to boundaries and can strike anytime or anywhere, the National
Emergency Fund is ongoing so the Legion will be prepared to address future
emergencies as they arise.
All requests for assistance will be submitted through Department Headquarters on
The American Legion National Emergency Fund Grant Application. Copies are
available upon request from Department Headquarters and are available for
download by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.
Legion Family Members helping Legion Family Members
Our Preamble to The American Legion Constitution says it best, "…devotion to
mutual helpfulness." This phrase is more than just mere words on paper; it’s our
pledge of support to our distressed comrades. Since the early 1920’s, The
American Legion has been actively involved in meeting the needs of both the
community and individual Legion family members in the wake of disaster.
Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires…The American Legion National
Emergency Fund was born out of natural disasters to compassionately heal the
wounds of catastrophe and help save their homes. A major disaster could happen
to any Legionnaire in any town at anytime and make them homeless.
The National Emergency Fund has provided over $6,000,000 in direct financial
assistance to Legion family members and posts. The National Emergency Fund has
kept posts from closing and enabled Legion family members to begin to rebuild
their homes and their lives.
Eligibility Criteria:
1. Eligibility open to Legionnaires, Auxiliary ** and Sons members (up to
$1,500) Legion Posts (up to $5,000). (** If Auxiliary membership is less than 5
years continuous. Otherwise, will be forwarded to the National American Legion
Auxiliary for consideration.)
2. Not meant to replace or repair items, only to meet most immediate needs
(i.e., temporary housing, food, water, clothing, diapers, etc.)
3. Does not cover insurance
compensation or monetary losses from a business, structures on your property
(barns, tool sheds, etc.) equipment or vehicles.
4. Membership must be active at time of disaster and the time of application
How To Apply
1. Application must be received within 90 days of disaster.
2. Disaster must be a “declared natural disaster" by Federal, State or local
government authorities.
3. Supporting data (photos, repair estimates, etc.) should be included if at all
possible or statements (testimony) from post/district/department officers
attesting to damages.
4. Only one grant per household.
5. Post grants must derive from a declared natural disaster and substantiating
documentation must provide that The American Legion Post will cease to perform
the duties and activities in the community due to losses sustained.
Members must complete a National Emergency Fund Grant Application. Applications
may be obtained by contacting your Department Headquarters at (800) 365-8387 or by calling The
American Legion National Headquarters at (317) 630-1321. You can also download a
grant application from the link below.
Application is properly completed by applicant then sent to the Department
Headquarters for approval.
If everything is in order, department will forward to National. Upon approval at
the National level, a check will be sent to the Department Headquarters for
delivery to the Legion Family Member or Post in distress.
NEF Application (PDF)
How You Can Help
We have an obligation to assist those less fortunate members when the need
arises, and we do – through our donations to the National Emergency Fund. All
contributions made to this fund are deposited in a special account and are used
exclusively to meet our member’s most urgent needs. Not one single contribution
dollar is used for fundraising, administrative costs or fulfillment.
The money in the fund comes by way of generous donations from Legionnaires,
American Legion Auxiliary members and Sons of The American Legion members.
Send your tax-Deductible Contributions To:
The American Legion
National Emergency Fund
P. O. BOX 6141
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206
NEF Donation Form (PDF)
On Line Credit Card Donation
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