New Mission Blue Post eligibility rules set
It’s been a year since The American Legion’s Mission Blue Post Assistance Program went into effect following the adoption of Resolution No. 36 by the National Executive Committee during the 2020 Fall Meetings. The program provides eligible American Legion posts financially affected by COVID-19 government restrictions with $1,000 grants. These funds are to pay current or past due rent, mortgage, utilities and insurance premiums.
However, of the more than 12,400 American Legion posts, only 465 have applied for, and received, this grant.
In looking at the eligibly requirements for the Mission Blue Post Assistance grant, it was identified that a possible deterrent for posts to apply is the insurance requirement. Therefore, to ensure posts in need apply for and receive this grant, the following eligibility requirements for the grant application are now in effect.
1. Any post that does not have insurance that names the national organization as an additional insured and/or has not filed a 2021 Consolidated Post Report but meets the other grant qualifications identified in Resolution No. 36, may receive up to $1,000.
2. Any post that has met the insurance requirement and has a 2021 Consolidated Post Report on file and meets the other grant qualifications identified in Resolution No. 36, may receive up to $2,000. Posts that previously applied for and received a $1,000 grant, can reapply to receive another $1,000.
Download the Mission Blue Post Assistance Program application. Eligible posts have until July 1, 2022, to apply.
Resolution No. 36 eligibility criteria for posts
1. A Consolidated Post Report on file at National Headquarters.
2. Filed an IRS 990 within the prescribed due date.
3. Filed all other required forms and reports as prescribed by the department.
4. Actively participated in one or more American Legion programs within the last 18 months.
5. A financial need.
6. A certificate of insurance for all liability coverage naming The American Legion doing business as (dba) The American Legion National Headquarters and the post’s department as an additional insured. (Submit declaration page showing coverage.)
7. Documentation indicating that the post is properly incorporated.
Q: Where should applications be submitted?
A: All applications will first need to go through the respective department prior to being submitted to National Headquarters. Department commanders and/or adjutants must certify the applicant meets the criteria.
Q: What is required by recipient posts in terms of the grant report?
A: All recipient posts are required to submit a grant report within six months of the grant/check issue date. There is a standardized grant report that is sent out with every inclusion letter to the department for the recipient posts. A fillable PDF version is also available via email request to ia@legion.org. When completing the Mission Blue grant report, a recipient post needs to only report how the grant, which is capped at $1,000, was utilized. For example, $250 used for insurance and $750 used for utilities. Reported figures should not exceed the amount that was awarded.