1. The Four Pillars

“For more than 90 years, The American Legion has acted as the nation’s leading advocate for proper health care, economic opportunity and legal benefits for U.S. military veterans”

 
 
 

I. Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation

For more than 90 years, The American Legion has acted as the nation’s leading advocate for proper health care, economic opportunity and legal benefits for U.S. military veterans. The Legion was instrumental in the creation of the Veterans Administration in 1930, and an ardent supporter of its elevation to cabinet status when it became the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1989.

 

II. National Security

Since its inception, The American Legion has steadfastly supported a strong national defense. The Legion closely monitors issues that are most relevant to our nation’s vital security interests.

 

III. Americanism

The American Legion has always been a stalwart champion of patriotism, morality and citizenship.

 

IV. Children & Youth

The American Legion’s Commission on Children & Youth manages a pillar of service guided by three main objectives: to strengthen the family unit, to support quality organizations that provide services for children and youth, and to provide communities with well-rounded programs that meet the physical, educational, emotional and spiritual needs of young people.

 
 

2. Funding Guidelines

 
 

Palisades Post 283’s Strategy to identify organizations that fit funding criteria and meet the Four Pillars.

All grant inquires and applications for funding are by invitation only. Regretfully, Post 283 is unable to respond to unsolicited requests.

Criteria:

  • Must be a 501(c)3

  • Clear and substantive fit within one or more of our Pillars.

  • Innovative and effective programs that can contribute to solutions to issues addressed by the Four Pillars.

  • Existing or potential for strong organizational leadership/governance.

  • Fiscal responsibility

Post 283 Generally Does Not Fund:

  • Organizations that discriminate on the basis of religion, gender, race, ethnicity, political beliefs or disabilities.

  • Specific religious activities or beliefs or organizations that require adherence to a specific religion or belief.

  • Lobbying or political activities.

  • Major research projects.

  • Any commercial business purpose.

  • Any litigation that is underway, contemplated, or completed, or organizations that use litigation as a primary tool to carry out its mission.

  • Private foundations.

  • Endowments, building campaigns, special events or annual funds.

  • Direct grants to individuals.

  • “Pass-through” organizations.

  • Organizations that do not comply with all laws and regulations including those related to the Patriot Act.

_28A6674.JPG
 
 
 

3. Approach

 
 

In 1919, The American Legion was founded on our four pillars. Each of these pillars encompass a variety of programs that benefit our nation’s veterans, its service members, their families, the youth of America and ordinary citizens. These programs make a difference in hundreds of thousands of lives each year.

Our organization’s positions and programs are guided by resolutions passed by American Legion National Convention delegates, and by committee and commission members who represent 2.5 million wartime veterans and their families. These programs, and the men and women who take the time to perform them allow The American Legion to make a difference on the local, state and national levels.

 

 
 
 

4. Who We Funded