Auxiliary Emergency Fund (AEF)

The purpose of the Auxiliary Emergency Fund Committee is to raise funds for the Auxiliary Emergency Fund (AEF), to promote knowledge about the program, and to send information to members about the application process. The AEF was created to help members who have suffered a significant financial setback as the result of an act of nature or other personal crisis when no other source of aid is readily available.

AEF Assistance Information

The AEF can provide eligible members with temporary aid for:

1. Financial crisis: funds for shelter and utilities
2. Disaster relief: for weather-related emergencies and natural disasters

In each case, as a first course of action, persons are encouraged to make every effort to secure financial assistance through local, state, and federal agencies before applying to the ALA for AEF assistance.

Members of the ALA who have maintained membership for at least the immediate past two years and who have paid their dues for the current year (three consecutive years of membership) are eligible to apply.

AEF Grant

The maximum amount of any AEF grant is $3000 and may be disbursed as decided by the National AEF Grant Committee. Payments may be made directly to the member, or at the discretion of the National committee, to a mortgage company or utility company.

Reminders: AEF collections and donations are restricted funds, must go to the ALA Department Headquarters, and from there to the National Headquarters. Applications for AEF assistance must go to the National AEF Grant Committee. Funds are not disbursed at the Unit or Department level.

Other

Join the ALA National Auxiliary Emergency Fund Facebook group and check the National ALA website frequently for updates. Consult the AEF brochure at https://www.legion-aux.org/CMSDesk/ALA/media/PDF/Brochures/AEF_Brochure.pdf

Excerpted from the ALA Unit Guide (2024, pp. 70-71) and AEF brochure, and national website at https://www.legion-aux.org/Member/Committees/AEF/Get-Involved-AEF

Updated July 2025

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