The American Legion Department of Florida greatly appreciates the support and contribution of all our donors. The success of each program provided depends upon community involvement and the support of your time, treasures, and talents. An alum of Boys Nation, for instance, may want to donate specifically to help pay for that program. A veteran who received assistance from an American Legion service officer may wish to give to the Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation division. A family that received help from Legionnaires after a loved one’s discharge from Walter Reed may want to designate a gift or sign up as a volunteer for Heroes to Hometowns. Our intent is to facilitate our community providing multiple levels of sponsorship spanning a variety of different veteran, family, and community needs.

For more information on being a patriotic patron please contact our offices at (407) 295.2631

The American Legion Endowment Fund

Since its creation by World War I veterans in 1925, The American Legion Endowment Fund has delivered nearly $25 million in financial assistance for disabled veterans, military families and young people who lost parents in service to our nation. Income from Endowment Fund investments is used to fund Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation programs and troop-support efforts such as Temporary Financial Assistance, which provides funds to military families with minor children at home.

Child Welfare Foundation

Created by The American Legion and operated as a distinct nonprofit organization since 1953, the Child Welfare Foundation awards grants to other organizations that reach out to young people with physical, mental or emotional challenges. The foundation has helped organizations spread the word about programs to help children battle serious diseases like leukemia and diabetes. It has also been beneficial to prevention programs that aim to reduce substance abuse and other social challenges faced by young people. Each year, the foundation awards over $600,000 in grants to organizations that work hard on behalf of young people who face major obstacles on their way to successful lives.

Emergency Fund

When natural disasters like tornadoes, floods or wildfires strike, The American Legion’s National Emergency Fund swiftly delivers needed money to veterans in their communities. During Hurricane Katrina and the flooding that followed, the NEF gave over $1.5 million in cash grants to veteran families in order to help them pay for motels, food and other necessities following the storm’s destruction. Similar financials infusions are made across the nation, whenever needed, from small towns turned upside-down by tornadoes to urban neighborhoods inundated by floodwaters. NEF money is also available in the event of a military or terrorist attack in the United States.

The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund

The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund helps ensure higher education is a possibility for children whose parents lost their lives while on duty since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The fund has been building steadily toward its goal of $20 million while at the same time issuing scholarships to qualified young people who have lost parents in the war. Individual donations are commonly made to the fund, but the major event of the year is The American Legion Legacy Run, a motorcycle trek that crosses numerous states between Indianapolis and National Convention city. Pledges for the Legacy Run and donations collected along the way have generated upwards of $500,000 in some years.

Operation Comfort Warriors

U.S. military personnel who are wounded or fall ill while deployed receive some of the best medical care the Department of Defense has to offer. However, not always do our nation’s military hospitals and warrior transition units offer amenities like video games, books, movies, televisions, loose-fitting sweatsuits, and phone cards. That is where Operation Comfort Warriors steps in. Funds raised for OCW are used to purchase comfort items for wounded and sick military personnel recovering in DoD facilities around the globe. Since its inception in 2006, the program has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in items to facilities from Germany to Washington State.

Planned Giving

Numerous tax benefits are available to those who include The American Legion in their estate plans. Gifts of cash, marketable securities, real estate, collectibles, life-insurance policies and other valuable items can be made to The American Legion, leaving a legacy for future generations while potentially reducing the tax liability of inheritance.

Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA)

The Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) Program serves veterans and active service members who have minor children at home and in their care.  This program was established in 1926 as one of The Legion’s first Children and Youth Programs.  Grants, funded by the National Headquarters in Indianapolis, IN are provided to qualified families in need, and  offset necessities such as rent, utilities and food.  For the children of our service members and veterans,  the possibility of homelessness,  loss of basic utilities (i.e. electric and water) and malnutrition is prevented via the TFA Program.

Heroes to Hometowns Program

"Heroes to Hometowns" is a transition program for severely injured service members returning home from OEF/OIF. "Heroes to Hometowns" establishes a support network and coordinates resources for those servicemembers. Last year The American Legion's Heroes to Hometowns Program assisted over 1,100 veterans.

Gilchrist Endowment Fund

Established in the early 1900’s the Gilchrist Endowment Fund is specific to The American Legion Department of Florida and has made a significant impact in the lives of our veterans throughout the state. This fund was established with the intent of assisting veterans of all ages and war era’s that might otherwise go without even the most basic of needs such as food, shelter, utilities, and transportation.

The American Legion Youth Programs Fund

The American Legion’s Americanism and Children & Youth programs offer young adults an opportunity to receive further education, enhance leadership and speaking skills, develop good sportsmanship, build strong character and become active citizens in their community. More importantly, the Legion’s youth programs help young adults better understand and honor the many sacrifices veterans made and active service members continue to make.

As The American Legion continues to grow its youth programs and remain active in the lives of youth, donations can be made at the departmental or national level. You have the opportunity to select from the program listed in assisting our Florida youth:

Children & Youth Fund
Junior Shooting Sports
Legion Baseball
Oratorical Scholarship Contest
ROTC - Reserve Officer Training Corp
Blood Donor Program
Boy Scouts
Boys State