The top fundraising departments in six categories will receive recognition from the national commander as part of the USA 250 Challenge.
There are hotly contested races in the first checkpoint in the department fundraising competition, which is part of The American Legion’s USA 250 Challenge.
As of early March, the leading departments in each category are Indiana, California, Tennessee, North Carolina, New Mexico and Rhode Island. But with roughly four months to go, each category is up for grabs.
The departments with the highest fundraising totals at the conclusion of the challenge, July 4, will receive a commemorative plaque signed by National Commander Dan Wiley.
Not only are the fundraisers and donors helping their department, they are also contributing toward a worthwhile cause. Donations for the USA 250 Challenge go toward the Veterans & Children Foundation, which benefits disabled veterans and military families in need.
One department will be declared the winner in each of six categories, grouped by membership size. The categories are:
Category 1: California, Florida, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Category 2: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin
Category 3: Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey and North Carolina.
Category 4: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia
Category 5: Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Vermont.
Category 6: District of Columbia, France, Hawaii, Latin America, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island and Wyoming.
All funds raised from July 4, 2025, through July 4 of this year will count toward the department totals.
How to fundraise
We have simplified the fundraising process and also created reward tiers for fundraisers who achieve certain benchmarks.
To start your fundraising campaign, head to your participant account page and log in. From there, check out this handy FAQ that will walk you through a few steps to get started.
Rewards for fundraising participants
You can now earn special commemorative items by hitting various fundraising tiers. They are:
• Participants who raise at least $250, receive a USA 250 Challenge hat pin.
• Participants who raise at least $500, receive a USA 250 Challenge coin and a personalized certificate of appreciation.
• Participants who raise at least $2,500, receive a personalized plaque signed by National Commander Dan K. Wiley.
For assistance or questions, please email: donorservices@legion.org
- USA250 Challenge