About the Evergreen Boys State Foundation
The American Legion Evergreen Boys State Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation based in Washington State. It was established in 1998. The Foundation’s purpose is to provide scholarships and financial support for the American Legion Evergreen Boys State program, now known as Evergreen Boys & Girls State (EBGS).
About Evergreen Boys & Girls State
EBGS teaches students entering their senior year of high school about their rights and responsibilities as citizens. This includes their role in their city, county, the State of Washington, and the United States.
EBGS is sponsored by the American Legion Department of Washington. High school juniors apply to attend. Some students pay their own way, while others ask a local American Legion Post for sponsorship and financial help. Each year, the program welcomes about 100 delegates and runs entirely on volunteer staff. The program works to make sure every delegate can attend, no matter their financial situation.
EBGS is a week-long program. Sponsorship fees paid by American Legion Posts and cosponsoring organizations cover most of the cost to run it. Food, housing, and operating costs keep rising each year, so the need for donated funds keeps growing too.
How the Foundation Is Funded
The Foundation’s assets come from gifts by endowments, individuals, families, businesses, and other charitable organizations. The income from these assets mainly funds delegate scholarships and improvements to the EBGS program. Donors can choose to direct how their gift is used, or they can leave that decision to the Foundation’s Board of Directors. The Foundation offers several ways to give, both during a donor’s lifetime and through estate gifts, so donors can support EBGS in the way that works best for them.
Foundation Governance
A nine-member Board of Directors governs the Foundation. The Board sets grant-making policy and approves all disbursements according to donor wishes. For unrestricted gifts, the Board decides how funds are distributed to best meet the needs of the EBGS program.
Giving to the Foundation
Every gift to the Foundation helps support the roughly 100 delegates who attend each year. Donations of any size help fund scholarships and improve the EBGS program.
The Evergreen Boys State Foundation is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
You can donate to the Evergreen Boys State Foundation online using the links below, or by mailing a check to:
Evergreen Boys State Foundation
c/o American Legion Dept of Washington
PO Box 3917
Lacey, WA 98509-3917
Please make checks payable to: Evergreen Boys State Foundation
Please consult your tax advisor about the tax advantages and deductibility of donations to the Foundation.