To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans.
Veterans of Foreign Wars of The United States channels its grantmaking through state departments and local posts that keep veterans service, community service, and fraternal activities running. The largest recent awards in the data went to VFW Department of California, including a 2025 grant of $658,306, with similarly large grants to departments in Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, and New York. That pattern points to a funder that supports the organizational infrastructure behind its network, not just one-off projects. Across the recent grants list, the foundation repeatedly backed state-level VFW departments in cities such as Elk Grove, Harrisburg, Ocala, Austin, Albany, Springfield, Columbus, and Lansing. The purposes attached to those grants stay close to the organization’s core mission: veterans service, community service, fraternal activities, and member services. Its active programs also show direct support for service members, student veterans, posts, and local community initiatives through scholarships, reimbursement grants, legislative fellowships, disaster relief, and basic-needs assistance. The result is a grantmaker oriented toward veteran-connected institutions, community-facing service, and member participation.
The foundation’s clearest theme is support for VFW departments and posts that deliver local veteran services and community programs. In California, it awarded $658,306 to VFW Department of California in Elk Grove for veterans service, community service, and fraternal activities. Similar support went to VFW Department of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg and VFW Department of Florida in Ocala for the same broad operating purposes. Youth and student leadership are another active lane. Through the VFW–SVA Legislative Fellowship, the organization backs student veterans for advocacy work on Capitol Hill and in their communities. It also runs the Voice of Democracy scholarship, an annual audio-essay competition for high school students in grades 9–12 tied to a democratic and patriotic theme. Basic-needs relief appears in its program offerings as well. Uniting for Veterans matches donations for food banks, pantries, and homeless relief organizations, while Financial Assistance for Service Members provides aid to active-duty service members and their families facing military-related hardship.
$17M
$292.8M
$103.3M
$101.8M
Most grants fall between $9K and $105K, with a median of $38K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$38K
75th Percentile
$105K
Marc Garduno
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Typical grant size is $8,506 at the 25th percentile, $38,469 at the median, and $104,634 at the 75th percentile, though the recent awards list includes much larger operating grants to state departments. The pattern is recurring rather than one-time: the same departments appear in multiple years, including California, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, New York, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and New Jersey. The foundation operates as a national grantmaker and also offers several structured programs for posts, student veterans, service members, and community partners. Some programs accept unsolicited applications, including post assistance, community-service reimbursements, fellowship opportunities, and direct financial assistance.
Grantmaking is national, with all recent grants in the United States. The strongest concentration by recipient count is Maine, while Missouri recipients account for 5% of grants. Recent award destinations include Elk Grove, Harrisburg, Ocala, Austin, Albany, Springfield, Columbus, Lansing, Trenton, Fife, and Staunton. The recipient list also shows repeated support for state departments in California, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, New York, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, Washington, and Virginia.
The largest recent awards go to VFW state departments, especially departments in California, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, New York, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, Washington, and Virginia. The stated purposes are veterans service, community service, fraternal activities, and member services.
Its listed focus areas include veterans services, financial grants and assistance, community grants, youth and education, troop support, food insecurity and homelessness, advocacy and legislative priorities, and memorials and public commemoration.
Yes. It runs the VFW–SVA Legislative Fellowship for student veterans and the Voice of Democracy scholarship for high school students in grades 9–12. The fellowship emphasizes advocacy, and Voice of Democracy awards scholarships tied to a patriotic and democratic theme.
The typical grant size is $8,506 at the 25th percentile, $38,469 at the median, and $104,634 at the 75th percentile. The active programs also show smaller awards such as $500 to $1,500 reimbursement grants and scholarships up to $35,000.
Yes. Active programs include the VFW #StillServing Grant, Post Assistance Grant, Uniting for Veterans Grant, Financial Assistance for Service Members, and the VFW–SVA Legislative Fellowship, and several of these are marked as accepting unsolicited applications.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicants must be VFW members associated with an appropriate VFW entity (Post, District, Department, or National). Funds must be used for events and outreach designed to assist and support veterans currently enrolled in institutions of higher learning.
Who can apply: Open exclusively to VFW Posts, Districts, and their Auxiliaries. Projects must have direct involvement of the applying organization's members with community members. Donations related to food and homelessness must be processed through the UTCH grant application. Minimum request of $500 per application and applicants are limited to a total of $1,500 during the cycle.
Deadline: Expected to open after Oct. 1, 2025; may close sooner if budgeted funding is exhausted.
Who can apply: Open to VFW Posts and their Auxiliaries for monetary, food, or item donations to local food banks, pantries or homeless relief organizations. A minimum of 500 pounds or $500 must be met each time an application is submitted. Posts and Auxiliaries may apply separately, and each must have a distinct project.
Deadline: Expected to open after Oct. 1, 2025; may close sooner if budgeted funding is exhausted.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VFW Department of California | Elk Grove, CA | $658,306 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of California | Elk Grove, CA | $651,660 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Pennsylvania | Harrisburg, PA | $466,473 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Pennsylvania | Harrisburg, PA | $466,416 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Texas | Austin, TX | $449,872 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Texas | Austin, TX | $405,608 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Florida | Ocala, FL | $383,271 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Florida | Ocala, FL | $380,868 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of New York | Albany, NY | $364,169 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of New York | Albany, NY | $363,878 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Illinois | Springfield, IL | $329,511 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Illinois | Springfield, IL | $325,738 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Ohio | Columbus, OH | $314,097 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Ohio | Columbus, OH | $311,262 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of North Carolina | Raleigh, NC | $290,893 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Michigan | Lansing, MI | $284,407 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Michigan | Lansing, MI | $283,052 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of New Jersey | Trenton, NJ | $239,381 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of New Jersey | Trenton, NJ | $231,175 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Washington | Fife, WA | $223,279 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Virginia | Staunton, VA | $215,918 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Washington | Fife, WA | $212,493 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Wisconsin | Madison, WI | $210,331 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Wisconsin | Madison, WI | $208,975 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Virginia | Staunton, VA | $198,368 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Hawaii | Honululu, HI | $197,932 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Missouri | Jefferson City, MO | $195,933 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Minnesota | St Paul, MN | $194,340 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Minnesota | St Paul, MN | $193,093 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Indiana | Indianapolis, IN | $192,952 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Missouri | Jefferson City, MO | $192,216 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of North Carolina | Raleigh, NC | $191,542 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Massachusetts | Boston, MA | $187,861 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Massachusetts | Boston, MA | $186,174 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Indiana | Indianapolis, IN | $179,484 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters | Kansas City, MO | $162,201 | 2025 | Veterans Service & Community Service |
| VFW Department of Maryland | Baltimore, MD | $159,666 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Maryland | Baltimore, MD | $159,354 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Arizona | Tempe, AZ | $153,377 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters | Kansas City, ME | $148,988 | 2025 | Veterans Service & Community Service |
| VFW Department of Arizona | Tempe, AZ | $137,995 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Iowa | Des Moines, IA | $136,868 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Georgia | Macon, GA | $123,738 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Colorado | Lakewood, CO | $123,572 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Colorado | Lakewood, CO | $121,609 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Connecticut | Rocky Hill, CT | $117,215 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Georgia | Macon, GA | $115,931 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Connecticut | Rocky Hill, CT | $115,066 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Oregon | Portland, OR | $112,769 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
| VFW Department of Kansas | Topeka, KS | $110,391 | 2025 | Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities |
VFW Department of California
$658,306Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of California
$651,660Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Pennsylvania
$466,473Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Pennsylvania
$466,416Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Texas
$449,872Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Texas
$405,608Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Florida
$383,271Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Florida
$380,868Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of New York
$364,169Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of New York
$363,878Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Illinois
$329,511Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Illinois
$325,738Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Ohio
$314,097Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Ohio
$311,262Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of North Carolina
$290,893Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Michigan
$284,407Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Michigan
$283,052Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of New Jersey
$239,381Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of New Jersey
$231,175Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Washington
$223,279Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Virginia
$215,918Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Washington
$212,493Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Wisconsin
$210,331Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Wisconsin
$208,975Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Virginia
$198,368Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Hawaii
$197,932Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Missouri
$195,933Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Minnesota
$194,340Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Minnesota
$193,093Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Indiana
$192,952Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Missouri
$192,216Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of North Carolina
$191,542Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Massachusetts
$187,861Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Massachusetts
$186,174Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Indiana
$179,484Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters
$162,201Veterans Service & Community Service
VFW Department of Maryland
$159,666Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Maryland
$159,354Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Arizona
$153,377Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters
$148,988Veterans Service & Community Service
VFW Department of Arizona
$137,995Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Iowa
$136,868Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Georgia
$123,738Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Colorado
$123,572Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Colorado
$121,609Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Connecticut
$117,215Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Georgia
$115,931Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Connecticut
$115,066Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Oregon
$112,769Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities
VFW Department of Kansas
$110,391Veterans Service, Community Service, & Fraternal Activities