The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation
OUR PURPOSE
The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation was created in 1954 (1) To contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children and youth through the dissemination of knowledge about new and innovative organizations and/or their programs designed to benefit youth; and (2) To contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children and youth through the dissemination of knowledge already possessed by well-established organizations, to the end that such information can be more adequately used by society.
OUR MAKE-UP
Our FOUNDATION is 41 years old and though created by The American Legion, it is actually a separate corporation. It is composed of nine members appointed by our National Executive Committee of The American Legion upon nomination by the National Commander. Serving with the Board of Directors is a Liaison Committee of three appointed by the National President of the American Legion Auxiliary; a Liaison Committee of three appointed by the National Chapeau of the Eight and Forty; and a Liaison Committee of three appointed by the National Commander of the Sons of The American Legion.
ANNUAL MEETING
Every year, in mid-October, the FOUNDATION Board of Directors meet in Indianapolis, Indiana, to consider grant requests. Our Board is authorized to expend whatever funds are available toward achieving its purposes. When applications are made to the FOUNDATION, they are first screened to make sure they fall within our purposes and policies. The intent cited in the application is then carefully studied against the backdrop of children's needs. Due to the number of requests received each year, it is impossible to honor every grant. The final decision of our Board never comes easy and many fine applications will have to wait another year.
WHO QUALIFIES?
Annually the FOUNDATION makes grants to nonprofit institutions, organizations and agencies who are tax exempt and, in the opinion of our Board, have the ability to accomplish our two primary purposes as listed previously. Other basic qualifying areas are:
Programs must be for children in the United States
Grants must reach out in a large geographic area.
Grants are for one year only.
Many other policies guard the administration of our grants and are distributed to prospective grantees.
HOW DO YOU APPLY?
Any nonprofit organization may contact the FOUNDATION and request a copy of our application. With these materials, we send a complete list of all policies which we encourage applicants to read carefully to determine if their request meets all of the basic criteria. If you represent, or know of an organization that would like to apply, please have them contact: Executive Secretary, Child Welfare Foundation, Inc., PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46206.
SOURCE OF FUNDS
The primary source of FOUNDATION funds is contributions from our individual members. In addition, Posts, Units, Salons, Squadrons, Departments, Districts and national contributions from the Legion, Auxiliary, Eight and Forty and Sons of The American Legion have been received. Other contributions have come from persons who are not members of our organization. Additional income is acquired from dividends we receive from our long and short term investments. To this we often add as income moneys received from personal estates which come to us in the form
of a bequest.
HERE'S HOW TO CONTRIBUTE
We encourage all of the members of our organization to support THEIR FOUNDATION. When grants are made, the name of the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation is always prominently displayed. This is not just another contribution to a needy cause... this is YOUR CAUSE! The FOUNDATION belongs to everyone who supports it.
Regular: This is a contribution to the FOUNDATION for no reason at all. You just want to help children so you send us a check.
Memorial: A contribution whereby a Post, Unit or individual member can send a check to the FOUNDATION in the name of a departed comrade. A suitable notification of your thoughtfulness will be sent to the bereaved family.
Bequest: A contribution made to children by naming the FOUNDATION as a beneficiary in your last Will and Testament.
Federal employees can now contribute automatically through the Combined Federal Campaign. The code number of the Child Welfare Foundation is #1397.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS
Each contribution received is handled in the following manner:
Every check or money order ($5.00 or more) received is acknowledged by official receipt which should be held for tax purposes.
Accurate records are kept in our offices by state, organization and individual sending in support.
All cash contributions are acknowledged regardless of the amount. We caution, however, that sending cash through the mail is not recommended.
BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW...
All contributions are tax deductible.
Your state organization gets credit for your support on our national report to the United States Congress. *Contributions can be made directly to us and they do not have to go through your Department Headquarters.
100 percent of your contribution goes to helping children. Not one penny of your contributions is used for overhead expense, as this comes from another source. How many other funds seeking your support can make that claim?
We need your help.
SOME SUGGESTIONS
The next time someone in your Post or Unit passes on, suggest that instead of flowers, contributions be sent to the FOUNDATION. The next of kin will be notified by us of your thoughtfulness and the memory of the departed will live on in meaningful grants that will help children. Can you say the same for the flowers?
Make the FOUNDATION a part of your Post or Unit calendar. Have a fund raiser for it every year.
Mention the FOUNDATION at Post and Unit meetings. Let others know of the fine work that is going on and how they can help. Remember, this is your FOUNDATION.
Child Welfare Foundation National Site Page
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