American Legion Child Welfare Foundation Inc.

Overview

The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation Inc., now known as the Child Well-Being Foundation and still using the acronym CWF, is a U.S. nonprofit organization established in 1954. It was created as a separate entity from The American Legion to focus on improving the lives of children across the country.

Mission

The foundation's mission is to contribute to the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual welfare of children and youth. It achieves this by supporting projects that disseminate knowledge about youth welfare research and by funding programs and activities benefiting children nationwide[1][2]. The organization provides grants to nonprofit organizations across the U.S., focusing on projects that have a significant impact on a large geographic area rather than daily operational expenses[3].

History

The idea for the foundation was initiated by Dr. Garland D. Murphy, Jr., who approached The American Legion with an offer to support children's welfare. Following discussions, the National Executive Committee of The American Legion approved the establishment of the Child Welfare Foundation in 1953. The foundation was officially incorporated in Indiana on July 9, 1954[1]. Dr. Murphy donated deeds to mineral rights on nearly 10,000 acres of land in the Williston Basin, providing a substantial financial foundation for the organization[1].

Activities and Impact

Since its inception, the foundation has awarded over $21 million in grants to organizations supporting children's welfare[3]. These grants have helped projects addressing a wide range of issues, including autism, osteogenesis imperfecta, hydrocephalus, and providing educational resources for families dealing with craniofacial anomalies, spinal tumors, and Huntington's disease[2]. Additionally, grants have supported life-saving flights for pediatric patients and provided assistance to children with juvenile diabetes, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and retinal degeneration[2].

The foundation relies heavily on donations from The American Legion Family, with most contributions arriving in small amounts such as $5 or $10[1]. The American Legion covers all administrative costs, allowing donated funds to be directed entirely towards grant-making activities, making the organization highly efficient in its mission[1].

Recognition and Updates

As of October 6, 2024, the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation is now doing business as the Child Well-Being Foundation. This change reflects a broader focus on the comprehensive well-being of children[3]. The organization continues to prioritize supporting projects that benefit U.S. children on a large scale.

Financial and Performance

The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation Inc. holds a Three-Star rating on Charity Navigator, with a score of 84%, reflecting a strong standing among nonprofits[5]. Despite this solid reputation, the foundation faces challenges in funding all deserving projects due to limited resources[2].

As a result of its efforts and the support it receives, the foundation remains a crucial entity in enhancing the lives of countless children across the United States.

[1] https://archive.legion.org/_flysystem/fedora/2023-04/aa011046.pdf [2] https://www.ialegion.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/CWF-Brochure.pdf [3] https://www.legion.org/information-center/news/dispatch/2024/october/cwf-gets-a-new-name [4] https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=AMER559 [5] https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/357041737