Veterans - thank you for your service.
As we think about the sacrifices Veterans (and their families) have made for us on this day, the team at Learn Grant Writing wanted to share a few grant opportunities for organizations serving Veterans. We will close with a few tips on how to evaluate a funding opportunity to determine if it is worth pursuing because we’re aiming to be both effective and efficient with our time.
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Disabled Veterans National Foundation Capacity Building Grants
The Capacity Building Grants provide support to our nation’s veterans. These grants are awarded to organizations around the country who are addressing the mental and physical recovery of veterans in unique ways. Service dogs, equine therapy, yoga, art therapy, and recreational therapy are just a few of the innovative programs that DVNF supports.
Grant Amount: Up to $25,000
Deadlines: Deadline for Letter of Intent, February (annually). Deadline for full proposals, March (annually). See website for precise deadlines- updated annually.
Eligibility: Must be a 501(c)3 non-profit
Bob Woodruff Foundation Charitable Investments Grant Program
The Bob Woodruff Foundation invests in programs that support post-9/11 impacted veterans, service members, their families, and caregivers. Proposals must fall within one (or more) of three core areas in order to be considered: 1) Education and Employment, 2) Rehabilitation and Recovery, or 3) Quality of Life.
Grant Amount: Unspecified
Deadlines: Check out their website for updated deadlines and funding opportunities.
Eligibility: Must be a 501(c)3 non-profit
https://bobwoodrufffoundation.org/grants/
American Bar Association Legal Assistance Grant
The ABA Military and Veterans Legal Center (MVLC) created the competitive ABA Veterans Legal Assistance Grant available to state and local programs, so they can increase effective legal support and better meet the legal needs of underserved veteran populations within their communities.
Grant Amount: $5,000 - $40,000
Deadlines: Check out their website for updated deadlines and funding opportunities.
Eligibility: Must be a 501(c)3 non-profit with a project based in California that delivers legal services to veterans primarily in California
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_services/milvets/grants/
Veterans Cemetery Grants
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Cemetery Grants Program was established in 1978 to complement VA's national cemeteries. The program assists states, territories, and tribal governments in providing gravesites for Veterans in those areas where NCA cannot fully satisfy their burial needs. VA can provide up to 100 percent of the development cost for an approved project. For establishment of new cemeteries, VA can provide for operating equipment as well. VA cannot pay for acquisition of land.
Grant Amount: Unspecified
Deadlines: Check out their website for updated deadlines.
Eligibility: Must be a state, U.S. territory, or federally recognized tribal government
https://www.cem.va.gov/grants/
Fisher House Foundation Newman’s Own Awards
Every day, service members, veterans, and their families rise to the challenge of maintaining a healthy lifestyle while facing the unique trials that come with having dedicated their lives in service to our nation. These families often face long deployments and separation, and many must cope with the long-term effects associated with service.
Newman's Own, Fisher House Foundation, and Military Times have joined together in presenting $200,000 in grants to the most creative military quality of life improvement plans.
Grant Amount: Up to $50,000
Deadlines: Applications must be submitted in April (annually). Check their website for updates on the next round and precise dates.
Eligibility: Must be a 501(c)3 non-profit
https://www.fisherhouse.org/programs/newmans-own-grant/
Infinite Hero Foundation Grant Program
Since its inception in 2012, Infinite Hero Foundation has awarded more than $3 million dollars in funding and support to seventeen different veteran service organizations offering innovative and effective programs or treatments for service-related mental and physical injuries. IHF invests in and partners with like-minded organizations that create cutting edge technologies, methods, practices, or products which advance the front lines of combat against the mental and/or physical challenges faced by military heroes and their families.
Grant Amount: Between $25,000-$100,000
Deadlines: Letters of intent accepted between January 1st and July 1st. Full proposals due by September 15th. Check their site for updates on funding and future deadlines.
Eligibility: Must be a 501(c)3 non-profit
http://infinitehero.org/grants/
Overwatch Alliance Grants
Overwatch Alliance has the honor of providing cover to our nation's heroes at home. We understand their struggles and support organizations dedicated to helping them heal, wherever they are. Overwatch Alliance supports military charities healing our nation’s heroes. Overwatch Alliance awards grants to non-profit organizations with Total Annual Revenues of $500,000 or less who provide services to active military, veterans, and their families.
Grant Amount: up to $15,000
Deadlines: Check out their website for updated deadlines and funding opportunities.
Eligibility: Must be a 501(c)3 non-profit
http://overwatchalliance.org/applying-for-a-grant
Robert Irvine Foundation Grants
The Robert Irvine Foundation is a not-for-profit, 501c3 organization that honors the men and women defending our country, first responders and the many other heroes in our lives. The Foundation's mission is to support individuals and organizations committed to enriching the lives of our heroes and their families. The Robert Irvine Foundation’s primary focus is on giving-back and supporting our military personnel (active, retired, and veterans) and first responders through morale and welfare programs, in addition to financial support of properly vetted Veterans' Organizations.
Grant Amount: Unspecified
Deadlines: Rolling. Check their website for updated deadlines and funding opportunities.
Eligibility: Must be a 501(c)3 non-profit
https://robertirvinefoundation.org/grants/
Heroes and Horsemanship Grant Program
Parelli Foundation’s Heroes and Horsemanship Initiative is a grant program supporting non-profit therapeutic organizations serving veterans, active members of the military, first responders and their families. The Foundation has a mission to help those who protect our country by extending their access to horses and natural horsemanship education. It is well established that Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) has been helpful to many veterans and first responders as they deal with the extreme conditions associated with armed conflict and their careers.
In addition to its regular Therapeutic Horsemanship grant cycle, the Parelli Foundation offers a special grant cycle each year to support non-profit Therapeutic Horsemanship organizations currently providing innovative and industrious ways to pair veterans, active military, first responders and/or their family members with horses using natural horsemanship methods.
Grant Amount: Unspecified
Deadlines: April (annually). Check their website or sign up for their newsletter for updated deadlines and funding opportunities.
Eligibility: Must be a 501(c)3 non-profit
https://parellifoundation.org/programs/therapeutic
NAVSO Pay it Forward Grant
NAVSO only exists because other nonprofits invested in the organization. Now, they’re paying it forward to nonprofits. Delivering quality programs to veterans and military families is tough work that takes a lot of resources. NAVSO is committed to helping your organization succeed. This grant funding is for organizations seeking funds for a program or service that directly supports veterans, service members and/or their families.
Grant Amount: $5,000 check and $5,000 worth of services designed to help you win more grants
Deadlines: Letters of intent accepted between January 1st and July 1st. Full proposals due by September 15th. Check their site for updates on funding and future deadlines.
Eligibility: Must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Represent a paid NAVSO member nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS as a 501c3 tax-exempt organization (individuals are not eligible)
- Must have been incorporated for more than 1 years as of December 1, 2018
https://www.navso.org/pay-it-forward-grants
Writing Grants for Nonprofit Veteran Organizations
Two members of the Global Grant Writers Collective, Dr. Kim Yarnall and Robert Yarnall, founded The Mission Makers to help nonprofits, specifically Veteran organizations, find fundraising success. Robert (Bob) is a Retired Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant having served 25 years. Three of their kids serve or have served as well. This passion for service guides their work today as they lead with a community-first mindset.
Have a listen to our interview with them in this YouTube video.
Tips for Veteran Grants!
- A resource we are loving right now is this guide to start a small business as a Veteran entrepreneur. In this guide, they talk about the best grants, loans, and training resources for Veteran business owners.
- Check the Foundation’s giving history via their 990 tax form. You can access this information through a membership with Instrumentl or the Foundation Center. We have an entire blog post covering how to strategically utilize 990s — check it out here!
- Be sure to calculate competitiveness. We look for opportunities with at least a 20% chance of award.
- Talk to the funding agency directly! Share your project and ask if they think it’s a good programmatic fit. If they are lukewarm, move on to another funding source. There are always other opportunities!
- First look for funding opportunities in your local community or region. You’re more likely to be successful on those pursuits than a highly competitive national competition.
- Remember to avoid chasing grants haphazardly by developing a Funding Strategy first.
Learn More About Grant Writing
If you’re ready to dive even further beyond this blog post and our YouTube channel, we have an immersive experience to support your work to champion Veterans.
The Global Grant Writers Collective
The Global Grant Writers Collective is a year-long membership that includes online instructional curriculum, community, and coaching to teach you a step-by-step system for building a flexible career in grant writing. In addition to an ever-growing community and mentorship, there are live trainings offered at least twice a month.
The Collective is structured into several phases. After Phase 3 (and some homework!), you’ll receive your grant writer certificate. With your certificate and real-world experience, you can interview well for higher-paying, quality jobs. If you enjoyed the freelancing to gain experience, we show you how to work for yourself and build a vibrant grant writing consulting business in the final modules.
Members of the Collective also have access to an entire community of fellow grant writers, coaching and mentorship, and bonus trainings. Bonus trainings include logic and evaluation models, resume writing, fiscal sponsorship, and more!
Thank You Veterans
Again, thank you Veterans for all you have done for us and to the organizations that give back on behalf of all of us.
For more tips and tricks on grant funding and writing a proposal, be sure to check out our FREE Grant Writing Class! Shoot us a DM on Instagram! 🦄
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