07/14/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/14/2023 08:38
Harrisburg, PA - The Shapiro Administration announced today that 12 Pennsylvania county Veterans Affairs Offices will receive $150,000 in grants, and 21 charitable or Veteran Service Organizations will receive $650,000 in grants from the Veterans' Trust Fund (VTF), administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA).
The VTF is funded by generous Pennsylvanians who voluntarily make a $3 donation when applying for or renewing their driver's license, photo ID, or a motor vehicle registration. Additionally, the VTF receives proceeds from the sale of the Honoring Our Veterans and Honoring Our Women Veterans license plates and private donations. Since the grant program began in 2013, a total of $6,682,860 has been awarded to organizations that serve Pennsylvania veterans.
"Our veterans served our country and defended our freedoms - they have sacrificed for us and they deserve access to quality care and services when they come home," said Gov. Josh Shapiro. "Thanks to the generosity of Pennsylvanians who donate to the Veterans' Trust Fund, service organizations all across the Commonwealth will be able to provide critical support to our veterans - everything from transportation services to peer support groups. Under the leadership of Major General Schindler from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, my Administration will continue to make sure we are fulfilling our obligation to be there for our veterans."
Grantees slated to receive funding identified over $2 million in matching funds pledged toward grant-funded initiatives. Combined with the VTF grants, this will result in more than $2.8 million for veterans' initiatives in Pennsylvania over the next two years.
"Connecting Pennsylvania's more than 700,000 veterans to these programs is DMVA's top priority and we cannot do it alone," said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania's adjutant general and head of the DMVA. "The VTF program is crucial and helps expand our network of services by partnering with organizations that can expand our outreach. We are grateful to all Pennsylvanian's who donate and to the grant recipients who put these funds to good use helping veterans and their families."
A total of $150,000 in grant funding was available for new, innovative, or expanded programs or services provided by County Directors of Veterans Affairs or the Pennsylvania Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs. The three areas of emphasis for grantees in this category were veterans' outreach, transportation services, and homelessness. The grantees, the specific award amounts, and the programs supported are as follows:
The VTF grant also, identified $650,000 in funding available to Veteran Service Organizations with 501(c)(19) status and non-profit, 501(c)(3), charitable organizations with a mission of serving Pennsylvania veterans. Funding priorities for grants in this category were transportation services, behavioral health initiatives, homelessness, and employment and education. The grantees, the specific award amounts, and the programs supported are as follows:
All grant awards are contingent upon the completion of a fully executed grant agreement.
The DMVA is authorized to solicit and accept donations to the VTF on behalf of the Commonwealth. Tax-deductible donations can be made online at www.donate.dmva.pa.gov or mailed to: PA Veterans' Trust Fund, Bldg. 0-47, Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003.
To learn more about the VTF, visit www.vtf.pa.gov or follow DMVA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/padmvaOpens In A New Window.
MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Butera - [email protected]
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