activities · 22
what they do
direct service · 20
- Administer membership programs for affiliated organizations Veteran Membership and Community SupportProvides membership applications and support for the Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary to eligible individuals upon request at the post level.
- Charitable Fundraising and Support Veteran and Community Charity FundraisingLegion Riders raise money for various organizations including local VA Hospitals, Battered Women and Children's Centers, Children and Youth Programs, a School for Blind Children, Veterans Relief, and Needy Families. They also sponsor or participate in local and national charity events to support American Legion Posts.
- Community Engagement and Memorial Services Veteran Commemoration and Memorial EventsParticipates in community activities such as parades, memorials, and dedications. The organization also provides funeral honor guards for veterans at the family's request and assists other veteran organizations with memorials, including forming special motorcycle Honor Guards and ceremonial teams.
- Community Engagement and Youth Programs Veteran and Community Charity FundraisingParticipates in community activities such as parades, memorials, and dedications. The organization also sponsors local students for Boy State and provides scholarships for education.
- Conduct community and ceremonial events honoring veterans Veteran Commemoration and Memorial EventsLegionnaires participate in parades, memorials, and dedications; provide funeral honor guards for veterans upon family request; and assist other veteran organizations with memorial services.
- Conduct fundraising for veterans and community organizations Veteran and Community Charity FundraisingLegion Riders raise money through events for a range of beneficiaries including local VA Hospitals, Battered Women and Children's Centers, youth programs, schools for blind children, veterans relief, and needy families, with some events raising $5,000 or more.
- Deliver volunteer-driven support to military families Veteran Membership and Community SupportAmerican Legion Auxiliary (ALA) members provide direct support to military families, including helping them cope with the emotional and logistical challenges of multiple deployments, contributing over 40 million hours of volunteer service and $37 million in outreach funding.
- Lead national veteran honor and protection initiativesLegion Riders founded the "Patriot Guard" national movement to honor and protect military funerals and memorial services, and have formed special motorcycle honor guards and ceremonial teams.
- Legion Riders Charity and Memorial Activities Veteran and Community Charity FundraisingLegion Riders chapters raise funds for the American Legacy Scholarship Fund and other organizations including VA Hospitals, Battered Women and Children's Centers, and Children and Youth Programs. They also participate in the annual POW/MIA Rally and have formed special motorcycle Honor Guards for military funerals.
- Motorcycle Safety EducationLegion Riders teach motorcycle and driver safety in the community and in schools.
- Motorcycle and Driver Safety EducationLegion Riders teach motorcycle and driver safety in the community and in schools.
- Organize and participate in national and local charity events Veteran and Community Charity FundraisingLegion Riders sponsor or participate in local and national charity events, including the annual POW/MIA Rally "Rolling Thunder" in Washington D.C., and raise funds for American Legion Posts and other causes.
- POW/MIA AwarenessLegion Riders participate in the annual POW/MIA Rally, "Rolling Thunder," held each Memorial weekend in Washington D.C.
- Provide motorcycle and driver safety educationLegion Riders teach motorcycle and driver safety to the community and in schools as part of their outreach and public service mission.
- Providing Membership Opportunities Veteran Membership and Community SupportOffers membership to eligible veterans who served federal active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces since December 7, 1941, and were honorably discharged or are still serving. The organization also provides membership applications for the Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary, and accepts membership transfers from other posts.
- Providing membership opportunities Veteran Membership and Community SupportOffers membership to eligible veterans who served federal active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces since December 7, 1941, and were honorably discharged or are still serving. The organization also provides membership applications for the Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary.
- Support youth development and education programs Veteran and Community Charity FundraisingSponsors students to participate in Boy State, provides scholarships for education, and receives funding support from the American Legion Riders’ fundraising for the American Legacy Scholarship Fund.
- Veteran and Military Family Support Veteran and Family Support CoordinationAssists military families in coping with the effects of multiple deployments and provides funeral honor guard details for veterans at the family's request. The organization also helps expand access to programs and benefits for veterans who were previously ineligible.
- Veteran and Military Family Support Services Veteran Membership and Community SupportAssists military families in coping with the effects of multiple deployments and expands access to programs and benefits for approximately 6 million veterans who were previously ineligible. The American Legion Auxiliary members provide volunteer service and financial support for mission outreach to veterans, military children, and communities.
- Youth Programs and Scholarships Veteran and Community Charity FundraisingSponsors local students to participate in Boy State and provides scholarships for education. Legion Riders also raise funds for the American Legacy Scholarship Fund.
advocacy · 2
- Advocacy for Veterans and Families Veteran Membership and Community SupportThe American Legion Family influences social change, secures benefits for veterans, assists military families during transitions, and creates programs for youth.
- Expand veteran eligibility for programs and benefitsAdvocated for and implemented expanded access to programs and benefits for approximately 6 million veterans who were previously ineligible due to service during undeclared wartime periods.
strategies · 16
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Direct documentation assistance for veterans documentation_assistanceProvides practical support to veterans by assisting them in obtaining critical service documentation such as the DD214, removing bureaucratic barriers to benefits and membership.
- Expanded wartime eligibility criteria inclusive_eligibility_criteriaIncreases veteran inclusion by defining eligibility around broad wartime periods, allowing more veterans to qualify for membership based on service during designated conflicts.
- Expanded wartime eligibility criteria for inclusivity inclusive_eligibility_criteriaBy defining eligibility around two broad wartime periods, the organization increases inclusivity by enabling a wider range of veterans to qualify for membership, thereby broadening its base of service and advocacy.
- Expanded wartime eligibility criteria for inclusivity inclusive_eligibility_criteriaBy defining eligibility around two broad wartime periods, the organization increases inclusivity and allows a wider range of veterans to qualify for membership, thereby broadening its base and impact.
- Focused programmatic advocacy in key service areas focused_support_areasThe organization concentrates its efforts in three primary domains—Veterans/Military Support & Advocacy, Family Support, and Youth Development—ensuring strategic impact through targeted programming and resource allocation.
- Focused programmatic support in key areas focused_support_areasDirects organizational efforts into three defined focus areas—Veterans/Military Support & Advocacy, Family Support, and Youth Development—to concentrate impact and align activities with core mission goals.
- Focused programmatic support in key mission areas focused_support_areasThe organization concentrates its efforts in three primary domains—Veterans/Military Support & Advocacy, Family Support, and Youth Development—structuring its impact around defined pillars that align with its mission and heritage.
- Hereditary and lineage-based membership model hereditary_membership_modelThe organization uses a hereditary and lineage-based approach to membership, allowing eligibility for descendants and relatives of veterans, particularly those who served in major wartime periods and were honorably discharged or died in service, ensuring continuity of service and family involvement across generations.
- Hereditary and lineage-based membership model hereditary_membership_modelThe organization uses a hereditary and lineage-based approach to membership, allowing eligibility for descendants and relatives of veterans, particularly those who served in major wartime periods and were honorably discharged or died in service. This includes structured programs like the Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary that extend membership through familial connections.
- Hereditary and lineage-based membership model hereditary_membership_modelThe organization uses lineage and familial relationships to eligible veterans as the primary mechanism for determining membership eligibility, ensuring continuity across generations and among relatives of veterans.
- In-person and documentation-based membership access in-person_membership_processingMembership is facilitated through in-person applications and practical support for veterans navigating bureaucratic requirements, such as guidance on obtaining a DD214, ensuring accessible and supported entry into the organization.
- In-person membership processing in-person_membership_processingFacilitates membership in the American Legion Auxiliary through face-to-face application processes at the local post, reinforcing personal connection and local engagement.
- In-person membership processing for local engagement in-person_membership_processingFacilitates membership in the American Legion Auxiliary through in-person applications at the post level, strengthening local ties and ensuring personal connection to the organization.
- Peer support and veteran camaraderie peer_supportFosters mutual support among veterans through shared experience and continued service, promoting connection and community engagement as a mechanism for well-being.
- Peer support and veteran camaraderie as core engagement peer_supportThe organization fosters mutual support and continued service among veterans by facilitating peer connections, promoting camaraderie, and encouraging community involvement as a mechanism for ongoing veteran integration and purpose.
- Peer support and veteran camaraderie as core service mechanism peer_supportThe organization fosters mutual support and continued service among veterans by facilitating peer connections, leveraging shared experience to strengthen community engagement and veteran well-being.
named programs · 6
what they call their work
American Legion Auxiliary (ALA)
A program for female relatives and spouses of veterans, dedicated to service for veterans, military, and their families, with efforts focused on Veterans/Military Support & Advocacy, Family Support, and Youth Development.
American Legion Riders
A motorcycle enthusiast group that supports Americanism and Children and Youth programs, raises funds for scholarships, participates in POW/MIA rallies, and sponsors charity events for VA Hospitals, Battered Women and Children's Centers, and Veterans Relief.
Boy State Sponsorship
Sponsors local students to participate in the Boy State program.
Funeral Honor Guard Detail
Provides funeral honor guard services for veterans and assists other veteran organizations with memorials.
Scholarships
Provides scholarships to support the education of children.
Sons of The American Legion (S.A.L.)
A program for male descendants of veterans, focused on upholding the Constitution, fostering Americanism, preserving memories of veterans, and promoting community service.
relationships · 13
who they work with
- ABATE Partner — Cooperates with ABATE and other national motorcycling organizations to teach motorcycle and driver safety.
- American Legion Auxiliary Partner — Members of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion comprise the Legion Family.
- Mike Mazor Partner — Service Officer responsible for providing veteran services and support.
- National Archives and Records Administration Government — Source for obtaining veteran service records needed to verify eligibility for membership.
- Reps. Lou Correa and Ben Cline Government — Introduced H.R. 1641, the House companion bill to the LEGION Act, supporting expanded veteran eligibility.
- Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Thom Tillis Government — Introduced S. 504, the LEGION Act, in the Senate to expand recognition and eligibility for veterans.
- Sur Shutt Partner — Legion Liaison serving as a point of coordination between the Auxiliary and The American Legion
- The American Legion Network — AMERICAN LEGION PAT TILLMAN POST 117 is one of nearly 15,000 American Legion Posts worldwide.
- The American Legion Network — Part of The American Legion, the largest veteran's organization in the United States.
- The American Legion Network — Unit operating under The American Legion as Pat Tillman Post 117
- The American Legion Partner — Sons of The American Legion is a program of The American Legion.
- U.S. Congress Government — Passed the LEGION Act with bipartisan support, enabling expanded American Legion membership eligibility.
- White House Government — President Trump signed the LEGION Act into law, recognizing service of wartime veterans and expanding eligibility.