The Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF) Grant Program

The Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF) Grant Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), offers competitive funding to nonprofit organizations and county-level veterans’ offices to enhance services for veterans throughout the Commonwealth. The program is funded through voluntary donations from Pennsylvania drivers, vehicle registrations, and proceeds from specialty license plates honoring veterans. It provides financial support for innovative, expanded, or new programs that address critical needs facing the state’s veteran population. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) organizations with a mission of serving Pennsylvania veterans and their families, as well as County Directors of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) and their association. Nonprofits may request up to $40,000, while county applicants may request up to $15,000 per county. Joint county applications are allowed, provided each participating county does not exceed the per-county maximum. No match is required, though in-kind or cash contributions are encouraged. Applications must be submitted through the Pennsylvania eGrants system by 2 PM on December 19, 2025. The 2025–26 grant cycle prioritizes programs targeting mental and behavioral health, transportation, and employment for nonprofits. For counties, priority is given to veteran outreach initiatives, especially mobile and community-based outreach efforts. Projects must be new, expanded, or innovative. All applicants are required to select one or more priority areas and justify their program's alignment with those priorities. Eligible expenses include direct service costs, contracted services, equipment, marketing, training, supplies, and modest administrative overhead (capped at 10%). To be considered, applicants must submit a full application, including organizational history, program plan, veteran engagement strategies, budget narrative, and supporting documents. These documents include proof of nonprofit status, mission alignment with veteran services, and provider credentials if applicable. Applications missing any required information may be administratively rejected. All submissions must be made via eGrants, and paper or emailed applications will not be accepted. The review process is competitive and overseen by a committee appointed by the Adjutant General. Awards will be announced in Spring 2026, and grantees will sign agreements with DMVA, with funding available upon execution. The grant period runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. Reporting is required quarterly via the eGrants portal. A financial statement or audit is required based on award size. The DMVA reserves the right to audit grant recipients and may require the return of unspent funds. For general program questions, applicants may contact RA-MVVetTrustFund@pa.gov. Technical assistance for eGrants is available via the eGrants Help Desk at egrantshelp@pa.gov or 833-448-0647. Applications should be carefully reviewed to ensure completeness and compliance with all requirements.

Include all required attachments; ensure EIN and vendor ID match across documents; detail budget justifications with quotes; select at least one priority area; explain outreach strategy clearly.