For more than 11 decades, VFW Posts have been the pillars of support in their communities. From building local playgrounds and organizing clothing drives, to military support events and disaster relief efforts, we take great pride in our long history of service to communities across the globe. Read on for more information about the current grants we have available.
VFW Foundation leadership and staff are proud to assist VFW and VFW Auxiliary members with service projects that increase their members’ impact upon their communities. The VFW Foundation has budgeted $500,000 in grant funding to support and encourage VFW Post and Auxiliary community service projects throughout the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The grant cycle application period opens Oct. 1, 2021, and will close on July 31, 2022, or when all funding has been disbursed.
Both a VFW Post and its Auxiliary may receive funding during the grant cycle. Posts and Auxiliaries are encouraged to apply early, as funding is often exhausted by early spring.
Eligibility
These grants are exclusively available to VFW Posts and Auxiliaries for qualifying service projects. VFW Districts, Departments, VFW subordinate organizations, etc. are not eligible to apply. VFW Posts and Auxiliaries that wish to apply must be in good standing with VFW National, meaning they must not be suspended, in financial arrears or have a deficient election report. The applicant must also be current on reports due to the VFW Foundation for grants received during previous years.
Multiply Your Community Impact
Applicants are encouraged to make the biggest impact possible through this grant opportunity. As such, up to four VFW Posts or Auxiliaries may pool their requests for a single project. For example, a community may be planning a significant event to honor veterans around Memorial Day or Veterans Day. Up to four Posts and/or Auxiliaries in the community could pool their resources and grant funds to support the event with volunteers and financial support. One Post or Auxiliary member must serve as the contact point for the project as funding will be provided to each Post or Auxiliary separately and the point person will need to ensure proper stewardship of grant funds. The point person will also be responsible for providing a grant report for each of the Posts/Auxiliaries.
Grant Funding Restrictions
Grant funds cannot be used to cover expenses related to required, official VFW activities such as Patriot’s Pen/Voice of Democracy scholarships, purchase of Buddy Poppies, donations to VFW National or Department Service Officer programs, etc.
Grant funds cannot be used to support organizations that solely benefit members of a particular race or religion, for-profit companies, or individuals. Nor can this grant be used to support political causes or candidates.
#StillServing Grant Program Types
There are three options for Posts/Auxiliaries to apply for funding. Posts/Auxiliaries may submit one application for each option during the 2021-22 grant cycle, for a total of three grant applications. The maximum a single Post or Auxiliary may receive in #StillServing Grants funding during the 2021-22 grant cycle is $3,500. Applicants are encouraged to find creative ways to collaborate with community partners and local affiliates of VFW’s national corporate partners. Such engagement strengthens the VFW’s relationships at national, regional, and local levels, and therefore strengthens our ability to aid veterans, military members, and their families. NOTE: For food insecurity related projects, please utilize the Uniting To Combat Hunger Grant application.
How to Submit a Request for a #StillServing Grant
To apply for any of the VFW Foundation's #StillServing grants, simply click the apply now buttons under the grant listings above to access the applications. Completed applications forms can be submitted by email to jcouch@vfw.org, or by mail to: Jason Couch, Grants Coordinator, VFW Foundation, 406 W. 34th St., Suite 920, Kansas City, MO 64111.
Grant requests will be reviewed in the order they are received. Applicants can expect to be notified of a decision within 90 days of their request being received by the VFW Foundation. If the request has been approved, a check or notification of ACH (an electronic funds transfer) from the VFW Foundation will be included with a letter that is mailed shortly after review.
Grant funding is dependent on availability, and the applications will be removed from the website once all available funds have been exhausted.
Grant Reporting Requirements
Recipients of both the #StillServing Community Support Grant and #StillServing Corporate Partnership Grant will be required to submit an after-action grant report. The form is available for download here, or under Post Grant Resources on the right, and a physical copy will be sent to grant recipients along with their award letter. Reports must be received by the VFW Foundation from all grant awardees by July 1, 2022.
PLEASE NOTE: #StillServing Grant Guidelines are general in nature, and the VFW Foundation reserves the right to amend, modify or waive these guidelines, in whole or in part, if the VFW Foundation deems it is in its best interest to do so. Final approval of grant awards and funding amounts are subject to exclusive determination and discretion of the VFW Foundation Board and its decisions are not subject to review.
If you have any questions about any of the information cited in this overview, please contact Grants & External Relations Coordinator Jason Couch at jcouch@vfw.org before applying.