Latest News

• Thursday, March 28, 2024

  Dept. of NY Offers Grants for Suicide and Homelessness Prevention

  The American Legion Department of New York has established a grant program to provide funding to New York State non-profits, public corporations, charitable organizations, and municipalities bringing tangible aid, assistance, and research to our at-risk veteran population in New York State.

  The grant program is aimed at preventjng veteran suicide and homelessness, and the Department of New York is seeking requests for proposals (RFP).

  See grant program  cover Letter. (PDF)

  See full request for proposals. (PDF)

• Thursday, March 21, 2024

  Department Leaders’ Homecoming Dinner Is May 18

  May 17-19 is the weekend of The American Legion Family Homecoming Event in honor of Department Commander Tim Collmer, President Karen St. Hilaire and Detachment Commander Peter Deangelis. The Homecoming takes place at Vernon Dows Casino Hotel in Vernon, with the dinner at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 18.

  Deadline is May 1 for hotel and dinner reservations.

  See flyer for details.

  Homecoming Flyer (PDF)

• Tuesday, March 19, 2024

  How Posts May Obtain a Grant for a Capital Project

  

  American Legion Posts are eligible to submit a grant application for capital projects involving such things as kitchen, community room and HVAC under the Veterans’ Nonprofit Capital Program (VNCP).

  Applications for VNCP Round 2 are due April 19, 2024.

  Applicants should be sure to:

  Obtain a prequalified State Financial System (SFS) Prequalification Application (or maintain the prequalification status in SFS – as a reminder the Grants Management System converted all prequalified Grants Gateway Document Vaults to SFS in January 2024).  Please refer to the Grants Management website (https://grantsmanagement.ny.gov/get-prequalified)  and the Questions and Answers noted below for additional details.

  NOTE:  It is highly recommended that you start the prequalification process no later than March 31 as it may take a significant amount of time to get through the process.

  Review the VNCP Round 2 Request for Grant Applications (Round 2 RGA) including all of the Exhibits and Appendices on the NYS Department of Veterans’ Services Website. https://veterans.ny.gov/veterans-nonprofit-capital-program-0

  Review the VNCP Zoom Conference Call video on the NYS Department of Veterans’ Services Website.

  Review the VNCP Round 2 Questions and Answers in the Documents Section of the NYS Department of Veterans’ Services Website.

  Submit an Application based on the Round 2 RGA requirements.

• Friday, March 15, 2024

  American Legion Membership Impact Report – Feb. 2024

  Check out the impact of American Legion membership.

  American Legion Impact Report – Feb. 2024

• Monday, March 04, 2024

  Nia Gooden Is the NYS American Legion Oratorical Champion

  

  ALBANY — Nia Gooden, a junior at New Rochelle High School in Westchester, New York, is The American Legion New York State Oratorical Champion for 2024, Oratorical Chairman Anthony Paternostro announced. Department Commander Timothy Collmer presented her with the first-place plaque.

  This year’s contest was conducted on March 2 at the Crown Plaza-Desmond Hotel, Albany.

  Nia received a Department of New York Scholarship Award of $6,000 and competes in the National Finals on May 17-19, 2024, at Hillsdale College in Michigan.  She competed against four other finalists from a cross section of the state in the 87th Annual American Legion Department of New York Oratorical Contest. She was sponsored by the Yorktown Heights American Legion Post 1009, Westchester County, 9th District, Zone 1.

  Other contestants were:

  • Maureen Kennedy, who won a $4,000 scholarship as the second place finisher. She was sponsored by the Greenlawn Post 1244 of Suffolk County, 10th District, Zone 2

  • Orianna Cotten, who finished third and won a $2,500 scholarship. She was sponsored by Brushton-Moira Post 939 of Franklin County, 4th District, Zone 3;

  • Grant Gillman and Hannah Brundage, who each won $2,000 scholarships. Grant was sponsored by the Carthage Post 789 of Jefferson County, 5th District, Zone 4. Hannah was sponsored by the Jewell Buckman Post 529 of Orleans  County, 8th District, Zone 5.

  

  (From left) 2024 Department Champion Nia Gooden, Maureen Kennedy, Orianna Cotton, Department Commander Timothy Collmer, Hannah Brundage, and Grant Gillman.

  Photos by Frank Carletta.