American Legion Auxiliary members are passionate about supporting worthwhile causes. After all, in the ALA, they’re part of an organization that last year provided more than $227 million in volunteer and financial assistance to efforts ranging from help for veterans to scholarships for students.
 
But what types of community programs and organizations are appropriate for members to support through their ALA units? The answer is simple, according to Carley Schutz, Development Division director at ALA National Headquarters.
 
ALA units should consider targeting their financial support to causes that assist veterans, military, and their families.
 
A broad range of charitable organizations — funding causes from cancer research to animal shelters — can be good choices for ALA members to support on their own. But when it comes to the assistance they offer through their ALA units, Schutz said that sticking to the Auxiliary mission is best.
 
That means units are encouraged to target their efforts to align with the following American Legion Auxiliary areas in support of veterans, military, and their families:
• Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation
• National Security
• Americanism
• Children & Youth
“In the capacity of an ALA member, our number one priority is serving veterans and military families,” Schutz said. “Why join a membership organization that is solely focused on bettering the lives of veterans, military, and their families if that’s not what you’re passionate about?”

Questions to Ask
Before lending support to a cause, ALA units should make sure they can answer “yes” to the following four questions:
1. Does the service, fund, or program benefit veterans, military, or military families?
2. Does the organization’s focus align with the ALA’s mission to enhance the lives of veterans, military, and their families? 
3. Is the organization in good standing with the IRS?
4. Would a prospective ALA member understand — without explanation — why the group is supporting this other organization as part of an effort to help veterans? 
 
With that last question in mind, Schutz cautioned that when ALA units give to other veterans service organizations, it can be confusing for those who are thinking about becoming members of the Auxiliary. These prospective members sometimes are unclear about which group they’re joining.
 
None of this is to say there aren’t occasions when it’s OK to deviate a bit from these guidelines. During times of crisis — such as a natural disaster affecting an ALA unit’s community — there could be relief causes that are appropriate to support. The first choice for ALA units to support disaster recovery, however, is the ALA and its Auxiliary Emergency Fund. 

Ideas for Giving
A variety of efforts qualifies as appropriate for ALA support. Schutz offered the following ideas that help veterans, military, and military families:
• Contribute to a fund to enhance the quality of life for items such as wheelchair bicycles, beach wheelchairs, and accessible vans and other vehicles for families.
• Furnishing a housing facility for veterans and their families, supplying items such as beds, dressers, and kitchen appliances.
• Purchasing creative art therapy supplies — like paint, easels, pottery, leatherwork, kilns, and instruments — for a local U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facility.
• Sponsoring any ALA Girls State initiative, such as participant attendance, travel, insurance, and housing.
 
This targeted support on behalf of the ALA shouldn’t diminish members’ support for other organizations or their willingness to offer those groups their own time and money.
 
“Having other passions is wonderful, and our members are so caring that I’m sure they have a variety of causes they would like to support,” Schutz said. “However, take your ALA hat off and put your other servant hat on. Let the two passions be separate.”
 
Should you give them your money?
 
Great Idea To: 
•  Provide ALA support to causes that benefit veterans, military, and their families.
•  Ensure the answer is “yes” to four key questions about the cause’s mission and IRS status.
•Continue personal/individual support of causes not aligned with the ALA’s mission.
 
Reconsider If: 
•  The program or cause isn’t aligned with areas in support of veterans, military, or their families. 
•  You haven’t fully researched the program or organization and its relevance to the ALA’s work.
•It dedicates your unit’s money to nonaligned, personal interests.