The Auxiliary Emergency Fund (AEF) is a national grant assistance program that provides temporary emergency help to eligible members of the American Legion Auxiliary who have suffered a significant financial setback as the result of an act of nature or another personal crisis. The AEF was established in 1969 with a bequest from the estate of Auxiliary member Helen Colby Small of Burlington, Wisconsin. It continues today solely through generous donations from Auxiliary members.
AEF Program
- The Auxiliary Emergency Fund (AEF) is a national grant assistance program that provides hardship and disaster emergency assistance to eligible members of the American Legion Auxiliary up to $3,000 as the result of an act of nature or other personal crisis
- Disaster funds may be awarded for damage to the interior/exterior of the vital livable portion of the member’s primary structure, contents and/or for essential emergency expenses after the disaster based on proper documentation provided.
- Hardship funds may only be awarded for over/past due primary shelter expenses, essential household utilities (electric, gas and/or water/sewer) and/or loss of employment income based on proper documentation provided.
- Members of the American Legion Auxiliary whose dues are current and who have maintained annual membership for three consecutive years (the current year in which the application is submitted and immediate past two years). Applicants who are new or rejoining ALA members must have maintained continuous membership for at least 36 consecutive months, based on their initial or rejoin date by the ALA National Headquarters. In addition to meeting the membership requirements listed above, the applicant has not been awarded an AEF grant (disaster or hardship) in the previous twelve months are eligible to apply for a grant.