NEF fundraising goals for department commanders
Joe DeLaCruz, chairman of the Department of Oklahoma’s emergency relief program, looks over the tattered remains of a scrapbook in the aftermath of the tornado in Moore, Okla. (Photo by Henry Howard)

NEF fundraising goals for department commanders

For the past 25 years, The American Legion's National Emergency Fund program has provided more than $8 million in direct financial assistance to Legion family members and posts. NEF donations are used to provide immediate financial grants to Legion family members who have been victimized by a natural disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, flooding or wildfire.

During the 2014 American Legion Fall National Executive Committee meeting, the amounts to granted to Legion family members and posts impacted by natural disasters was increased to $3,000 and $10,000, respectively. To help with NEF fundraising efforts, American Legion department commanders are challenged to raise a certain amount of donations during the 2014-2015 membership year based on their department's membership category. See fundraising goals for all departments here.

Department commanders will be awarded for their successful fundraising efforts. The top donating department commander, by percentage, in each of the six categories will be honored on stage during the 97th National Covention in Baltimore with a plaque. And department commanders who achieve their assigned NEF goals but are not the top department in their respective category will receive certificates.

One hundred percent of donations to NEF go toward grants for Legionnaires, posts and family members who are dealing with the after-effects of an emergency situation. All marketing and promotional costs are paid out of a separate fund by National Headquarters.