activities · 16
what they do
direct service · 10
- American Legion Law Enforcement Career Academy Youth Law Enforcement & Military Career AcademiesOperates the American Legion Law Enforcement Career Academy, providing training and career development opportunities for youth interested in law enforcement professions.
- Citizenship and civic engagement activities Youth and Civic Engagement ProgramsEngages in citizenship activities promoting civic responsibility and national values among veterans and youth.
- Expanded veteran membership eligibility Veteran Membership and Community SupportAllows honorably discharged veterans whose service occurred outside previously defined war eras to join immediately, expanding membership eligibility to thousands of additional veterans in local communities.
- Financial assistance for veterans and families Veteran and Family Support CoordinationProvides financial donations to veterans and their families during times of grief, offering direct support in times of need.
- Heroes to Hometowns reintegration program Veteran Emergency and Reintegration SupportOperates the Heroes to Hometowns program, a nationwide reintegration assistance service providing support to wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
- JROTC program supportSupports Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) programs, providing resources and engagement opportunities for youth in military-themed education and leadership training.
- System Worth Saving program participation Federal Veterans AdvocacyParticipates in the "System Worth Saving" program, which supports advocacy and outreach efforts to protect and improve veterans' benefits and services.
- Transportation grants for healthcare access Veteran & Disabled Veteran Transportation SupportOffers grants to support transportation for individuals traveling to and from health care appointments, facilitating access to medical services for veterans and their families.
- Veteran assistance tracking and fraud prevention VA Benefits Claims AssistanceMaintains a searchable database of veterans who have received assistance from Arizona American Legion posts and uses the system to identify potential fraudulent claims of veteran status, ensuring integrity in service delivery.
- Youth leadership and civic development programs Youth Baseball with Character DevelopmentOperates multiple youth programs including the Oratorical program, Arizona American Legion Baseball, Junior Shooting Sports Program (JSSP), and the American Legion Arizona Boys State program to promote leadership, civic engagement, and personal development.
advocacy · 4
- Arizona legislative advocacyEngages in Arizona legislative activities to influence state-level policies affecting veterans and military families.
- Flag-related advocacy Youth and Civic Engagement ProgramsAdvocates for flag-related issues, promoting respect and proper use of the American flag through public education and policy engagement.
- Get Out The Vote initiativesConducts "Get Out The Vote" initiatives to encourage voter participation among veterans and the broader community.
- National security advocacy Federal Veterans AdvocacyEngages in national security initiatives advocating for strong defense policies and support for military personnel.
capacity building · 2
- Internal organizational capacity building Membership Management & RecruitmentWorks toward achieving top national ranking in membership within The American Legion and collects committee reports for internal governance and planning, such as for the 2020 Fall Conference remote meeting.
- Youth scholarship programs Targeted Educational ScholarshipsOffers scholarship opportunities to support youth development and future success, particularly for students pursuing higher education.
strategies · 6
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.
- Four Pillars Approach to Programmatic Focus four_pillars_approachThe organization structures its programs and activities around four core pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. This framework guides its overall mission and strategic priorities.
- Fraud Prevention through Coordinated Data Sharing fraud_prevention_through_data_sharingThe organization uses coordinated data sharing among service officers to prevent duplication of benefits and detect fraud in veteran assistance programs, ensuring resources are used effectively and ethically.
- Grassroots Legislative Advocacy grassroots_legislative_advocacyThe organization conducts nonpartisan, grassroots-driven advocacy to influence legislation and advance veterans' rights and quality of life. This approach relies on collective action from its members to impact policy.
- Inclusive Remote Engagement for Mission Communication inclusive_remote_engagementThe organization utilizes remote reporting and digital distribution of materials to increase inclusivity and broaden the reach of its mission communication, ensuring wider access to information and engagement opportunities.
- Inclusive Veteran Eligibility veteran-inclusivityThe organization operates on the principle that "a veteran is a veteran," supporting inclusive eligibility for all honorably discharged veterans. This extends to family members, allowing sons and grandsons of newly eligible American Legion members to participate in programs like the Sons of The American Legion.
- Youth Development through Sponsorship and Mentoring youth_developmentThe organization engages local posts to sponsor youth in programs like Boys State and uses amateur athletic programming, particularly baseball, to promote youth development, sportsmanship, and civic responsibility. This approach aims to foster leadership, education, and positive character traits in young people.
named programs · 6
what they call their work
American Legion Baseball
Youth baseball program that promotes sportsmanship, citizenship, and leadership among high school-aged players across the U.S.
Heroes to Hometowns
Nationwide reintegration assistance program for wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, providing support with healthcare, employment, and community connections
Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC)
Supports JROTC programs in schools to promote leadership, discipline, and patriotism among youth
Junior Shooting Sports Program
Youth marksmanship program promoting safety, responsibility, and skill development in shooting sports
Oratorical Program
Speech competition for high school students focused on the U.S. Constitution, designed to develop public speaking and civic knowledge
Veterans Service Officer Program
Provides direct assistance to veterans navigating VA benefits and healthcare, with service officers at local posts
relationships · 6
who they work with
- AMVETS Partner — Referenced as a comparable veterans service organization with differing membership eligibility criteria.
- American Legion Riders of Arizona Partner — Supports the American Legion Riders of Arizona.
- Boys State Partner — Collaborates with Boys State to provide sponsorship opportunities for student participants.
- Sons of The American Legion Partner — Supports the Sons of The American Legion.
- The American Legion National Network — Affiliated with The American Legion National organization.
- Vetslink Partner — Provides resources and information for Arizona American Legion Post Service Officers.