Standing as the pillars that both uphold thriving or uplift struggling communities, VFW Posts have carried this mission for more than 11 decades.
From building local playgrounds and memorials, to organizing military support events for active-duty troops and cushioning natural disasters with incessant relief efforts, VFW members at the grassroots level take pride in continuing a history of service.
Members of VFW Post 10725 in Gretna, Neb., present a $250 check to Kara Alexander, president of the nonprofit Matt’s Music Memorial. The organization, which provides a chance for students to learn an instrument, was established in honor of Kara’s husband, Matthew, who was killed in action while serving in the Iraq War. Post 10725 received a #StillServing grant which they used to benefit four organizations within its community. Photo courtesy of David Dietze.In helping local efforts at the Post and District levels across the world, the VFW Foundation announced new and innovative ways this year’s grants can assist in enhancing service projects that will further impact communities.
The VFW Foundation is offering three grants operating on a reimbursement basis in order to help Posts, Districts and their Auxiliaries achieve more.
“The VFW Foundation offers these grants as a way for VFW Posts, Districts and their Auxiliaries to increase the impact of the important volunteer projects they do for their communities,” VFW Foundation’s Grants Manager Jason Couch said.
Applications for the #StillServing Community Support Grant and District Corporate Partnership Grant, as well as the Uniting to Combat Hunger Grant (UTCH), are now being provided to assist local projects set to help communities. Though each grant has been around for years, this year’s grants come with new guidelines.
“The VFW Foundation has provided grants to Posts and Auxiliaries for more than five years now, but major changes were made to the guidelines of all grants this year,” Couch said. “We have made all grants reimbursement-based and thusly, eliminated the need for grant recipients to provide a follow-up report after receiving an award.”
Couch also added that another opportunity will open up in the spring for any local VFW Post or Auxiliary that misses the initial end-date for the UTCH Grant’s application period in December.
“We do this as a way to build momentum for the campaign’s conclusion at Convention,” Couch said.
For any further questions or concerns, please contact Couch at JCouch@vfw.org.
Below is each grant’s guidelines, info and application link:
#StillServing Grants – Applications available at vfw.org/Grants.
The Community Support Grant is offered exclusively to VFW Posts and Auxiliaries to offset expenses incurred while doing a community service project. Districts, Departments, VFW subordinate organizations, etc. may not apply. Both a VFW Post and its Auxiliary can receive funding of up to $1,500. Applicants are limited to one Community Support Grant award during the Oct. 1, 2022 – June 1, 2023 cycle.
The District Corporate Partnership Grant is offered exclusively to offset expenses related to the community service projects of VFW or VFW Auxiliary Districts that include substantive involvement of a VFW National corporate partner’s local affiliate. Posts, Departments, VFW subordinate organizations, etc. may not apply. Applicants are limited to no more than $1,500 in funding through the VFW District Corporate Partnership Grant award during the Oct. 1, 2022 – June 1, 2023 cycle. II.
Uniting to Combat Hunger Grant – Applications Available at vfw.org/UTCH.
The Uniting to Combat Hunger Grant is a matching grant of up to $1,500 available to VFW Posts and Auxiliaries for monetary and food donations to local food banks and pantries in their communities. The VFW Foundation will provide a $1 match for every pound of food or dollar donated to these organizations. A Post or its Auxiliary may receive this grant but not both. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 19, 2022. The grant will likely return for a second offering in spring 2023.