The American Legion Frank N. Belgrano Jr. Trophy is awarded to the department with an active Scouting program.
The American Legion National Americanism Commission has presented the Frank N. Belgrano Jr. Trophy since 1936 to departments that have rendered the most outstanding support for Scouting. This period of support is annually from Aug. 1 to July 31.
The award honors 1934-1935 Past National Commander Frank N. Belgrano Jr. of California. It’s based on the number of Scouting troops organized, strength of existing troops and general welfare of the Scout movement under American Legion sponsorship within the department, based on written reports with substantiating evidence submitted to National Headquarters.
The 2025-2026 Americanism By-the-Numbers report highlighted that there were 1,836 Scouting units chartered by Legion Family across the nation, involving 51,732 young people.
See past recipients of the award in the Trophies, Awards and Ceremonials Manual.
Each department seeking consideration for the 2026 Belgrano Trophy must submit a written report to the Americanism Division at National Headquarters with a narrative description and substantiating evidence relating to the department's Scouting efforts and accomplishments for the reporting period of Aug. 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026. The design and length of the narrative is at the discretion of the department – the intention is to provide the selection committee with information other than statistics to consider when determining the winning department.
To receive consideration for the 2026 award year, submissions must arrive to the Americanism Division no later than Aug. 4, 2026
Submit material by mail or email:
The American Legion
Attn: Americanism Division-Scouting
P.O. Box 1055
Indianapolis, IN 46206
- Scouting