by Cameron Arcand
Arizona veterans organizations can now apply for grants through the state’s Department of Veterans Services.
The application for the Veterans’ Donation Fund reopened on July 1 and is intended for 501(c) groups seeking $4,999 or less in state assistance. The state also sometimes doles out more significant veteran-related grants ranging from $5,000-75,000, but that application is currently closed.
“The VDF gives us an opportunity to help organizations continue the great work they do for Arizona Veterans. With the increases in funding this year, we are able to provide more small and large grants, therefore reaching even more Arizona Veterans and their families,” Natasha Orduno, ADVS Grants Project Specialist said in a statement.
There is no set date for when the application will close, as the news release states that it will be available “year-round” or when it hits the reserved $300,000 mark for the fund. Overall, the ADVS is aiming to spend $1.3 million this fiscal year between both grant programs.
“Applications that propose to provide direct services for Veterans will be prioritized over applications that provide indirect services to Veterans. Direct services are defined as services being provided for and at the benefit of the individual Veteran,” the application’s memorandum states.
The news release added that money in the VDF cannot be swept to the budget’s general fund and it gets its revenue from specialty license plates. The application coincides with the start of the fiscal year, which began on July 1 after Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a budget with numerous cuts and sweeps in June.
Jessica Roza, founder of West Valley Women Veterans, who serves on the Board of Directors for Unified Arizona Veterans, praised the grant’s opening but encouraged good timing from the agency.
“I am pleased to see that grant applications have been reopened, as these grants provide essential funding to nonprofit organizations across the state,” Roza stated. “Government agencies alone cannot meet all the needs of veterans and their families, and community-based organizations play a crucial role in bridging this gap by delivering services more swiftly and efficiently. Given the robust funding of the Veterans’ Donations Fund (VDF), I hope the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (ADVS) will maintain open grant cycles and continue to award these grants in accordance with donor intent. Timely grant distribution is crucial for enabling organizations to provide essential direct services to Arizona’s veteran population without undue delay.”
ADVS estimates over 500,000 veterans reside in the Grand Canyon State.
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Cameron Arcand is a staff reporter for The Center Square covering Arizona. A contributor since 2022, Arcand previously worked for Salem Media Group and The Western Journal.
Photo “Veterans” by Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.
