2026 VDF Large Grants A.R.S. 41-608

The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services (ADVS), through the Arizona Veterans' Donation Fund (VDF), is offering the 2026 VDF Large Grants program to support programs that benefit veterans and their families across the state of Arizona. Established in 1999 under Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-608, the VDF is a vital resource designed to enhance the quality of life for veterans through financial support to organizations that directly serve this population. The primary focus of this grant opportunity is to address the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) affecting Arizona veterans. Applications must align with at least one of the ten defined SDOH categories: basic needs, employment, family and social support, finances and benefits, higher education, housing and homelessness, legal issues, mental health and substance abuse, physical health, and spirituality. ADVS places a strategic emphasis on preventative programs—those that help avoid crisis escalation among veterans and their families. Eligible applicants include a broad range of organizational types such as 501(c) charitable organizations, local and state government entities, consortia, Native American tribes, academic institutions, school districts, and private sector groups. While eligibility is broad, preference is given to applicants whose primary mission aligns closely with supporting Arizona veterans and who demonstrate alignment with ADVS objectives. ADVS also encourages collaborative applications involving community partnerships to improve service delivery outcomes. To qualify for funding, applicants must propose projects that deliver direct services to veterans. Direct services are defined as those providing tangible benefits to individual veterans—such as assistance with rent or utility bills—whereas indirect services like research or outreach activities that do not directly impact individual veterans are considered less competitive. The total funding available through this RFGP is $2,000,000. Applicants may request awards ranging from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $150,000. There is no matching funds requirement. All applications must be submitted through the eCivis solicitation portal; mailed-in applications will not be accepted. The grant application window opens on October 16, 2025, and closes on November 14, 2025. For inquiries regarding the grant program, applicants may contact the ADVS-VDF Large Grants Project Coordinator at rdavis@azdvs.gov. Notifications regarding awards, performance periods, and additional program details will be disseminated via official channels. This program is expected to recur annually, offering recurring opportunities for organizations serving Arizona veterans.

Preference is for direct services benefiting individual veterans; avoid indirect proposals