Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF)

Quick Stats

• Annual Budget: $24 million (2024)
• Annual Grants Awarded: Approximately $1.55 million
• 2024 Capacity Building Grants: $464,600 to 29 organisations
• Grant Range: Up to $1,000 (individual veterans) | $12,000-$25,000 (organisational grants)
• Decision Time: 1-2 weeks (individual grants) | Biannual sessions (organisational grants)
• Geographic Focus: All 50 states
• CharityWatch Rating: F (86% overhead costs)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.dvnf.org
General Email: grants@dvnf.org
Programme Department: programmes@dvnf.org
Phone: (202) 737-0522 ext. 3
Address: Lanham, Maryland

Overview

The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) was founded in autumn 2007 by six women veterans who were State Women Veterans Coordinators, responding to the chronic gap in services for disabled and at-risk veterans returning from conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The organisation operates with an annual budget of approximately $24 million and provides direct assistance to veterans through individual grants and funding to veteran service organisations through capacity-building grants.

In 2024, DVNF awarded $464,600 to 29 veteran service organisations through its Capacity Building Grant programme, directly benefiting a combined total of 6,588 veterans. Led by CEO Joseph VanFonda, SgtMaj USMC (Ret.) since 2014, the organisation has undergone significant restructuring following a 2014 settlement with the New York State Attorney General for deceptive fundraising practices.

Important Note: CharityWatch currently rates DVNF with an "F" rating, citing that the organisation spends 86.1% of its budget on overhead and only 13.9% on programmes (based on 2024 tax returns). Prospective applicants should be aware of this rating and the organisation's controversial history whilst considering application.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

1. Capacity Building Grants (Currently Suspended)

• Amount: Typically $12,000-$25,000 (maximum $25,000)
• Status: Temporarily suspended due to programme updates; not accepting new Letters of Intent
• Focus: Organisational support for veteran service providers
• Contact: grants@dvnf.org for programme status updates

2. Grants to Provide Stability (GPS)

• Amount: Up to $1,000 (not guaranteed)
• Eligible Expenses: Rent/mortgage payments, essential utilities (electric, gas, water, waste)
• Not Covered: Deposits, car repairs, insurance (car payments considered case-by-case if required for employment)
• Payment Method: Rolling basis; applications accepted monthly, processed approximately twice per month
• Payment Process: Cheques mailed directly to landlords, mortgage companies, or utility providers (never to veterans)

3. Veterans Food Assistance Programme (VFAP)

• Type: One-time grant of essential food and household support
• Frequency: Once per fiscal year (October-September)
• Processing Time: 1-2 weeks for evaluation; delivery within 1-3 days after approval

4. Homeless to Housing (H2H)

• Focus: Financial assistance for veterans transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing

Priority Areas

DVNF funds organisations and programmes that support:

• Adaptive sports and recreational activities
• Employment support and job training
• Mental health resources and counselling
• Housing stability and homelessness prevention
• Food assistance
• Physical and mental wellbeing programmes
• Programmes specifically serving disabled veterans and at-risk veterans

What They Don't Fund

For Capacity Building Grants:

• Overhead costs only
• Salaries only
• General support without specific veteran-focused programming
• Programmes not solely benefiting veterans

For Individual Grants (GPS):

• Deposits
• Car repairs (typically)
• Insurance premiums
• Direct payments to veterans (all payments go to service providers)

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Joseph VanFonda, SgtMaj USMC (Ret.) - Chief Executive Officer (since 2014)

• 27-year career in the United States Marine Corps
• Served as Regimental Sergeant Major of the Wounded Warrior Regiment
• Leadership philosophy: "Relationship, not process"
• On VA reform: "Whilst everyone claims increased funding is the answer to what ails the VA, I am not sure that a bigger budget will necessarily fix the underlying issues. The VA has been overburdened for years, but the real issue is a systematic failure to put proper procedures in place to meet the needs of veterans."

Delese Harvey - Executive Director

• More than 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership

Mildred Mesembe - Chief Financial Officer

Organisational History

The organisation underwent significant restructuring following a 2014 settlement with the New York State Attorney General's Office—the largest settlement ever obtained in the U.S. for deceptive fundraising practices ($24.6 million). Under the settlement, DVNF was required to replace its founding board members, create a committee to reexamine its business model, and discontinue all misleading fundraising appeals.

Application Process & Timeline

Capacity Building Grants (Currently Suspended)

Current Status: The Capacity Building Grant (CBG) Programme is temporarily suspended due to programme updates and is not accepting any new Letters of Intent (LOI). Contact grants@dvnf.org for updates on when the programme will reopen.

Previous Process (when operational):

• Two open sessions per year
• Two-stage application: Letter of Intent (LOI) followed by full application if invited
• Maximum request: $25,000
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) veteran service organisations
• Requirement: Grants must solely benefit veterans and/or veteran-specific programmes

Grants to Provide Stability (GPS) - Individual Veterans

How to Apply:

1. Complete DVNF's GPS Application Form with all required accompanying forms
2. Provide DD-214 Record of Military Service (must show character of discharge) OR acceptable alternative: state-issued veteran ID, Veteran Status Verification Form, or veteran status on state-issued driver's licence
3. Include a cover letter with:
   • Overview of the problem
   • Rationale for the need
   • Critical: Plan to continue services after support is rendered (sustainability plan)
   • Amount requested
4. Submit copy of bill(s) for payment issued within past 30 days, including payment address (complete billing statement)
5. Letter from VA case worker or Veteran Service Officer verifying situation (not required but strongly recommended—increases approval chances)

Application Portal: Available through DVNF website at www.dvnf.org/gps/

Decision Timeline

GPS Programme:

• Applications processed approximately twice per month
• Applications accepted on rolling basis throughout the month
• Average processing time: 1-2 weeks
• May be affected by staff availability, holidays, and office closures

VFAP Programme:

• Evaluation: 1-2 weeks on average
• Delivery: 1-3 days after approval (depending on completion of delivery information form)
• Some applicants report approval in just a few days

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly available for DVNF programmes. The organisation notes that "funding is limited" and encourages applicants to provide complete information to increase approval chances.

In 2024, DVNF awarded grants to 29 organisations through the Capacity Building Grant programme, but the total number of applications received was not disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

VFAP: Veterans and their families can only be approved for assistance once per fiscal year (October-September).

GPS and Other Programmes: Specific reapplication policies are not publicly stated. Contact programmes@dvnf.org for clarification.

Application Success Factors

For Individual Veterans (GPS Programme)

Critical Success Factor - Sustainability Plan: DVNF explicitly requires applicants to explain their plan for sustainability. As stated in their guidance: "If we help with your rent or utilities this month, what will be different about your situation next month?" Examples include:

• Starting a new job
• Cutting costs by discontinuing cable service or other non-essential expenses
• Note: "Waiting for a claim to process" is NOT considered a valid response

Verification Matters:

• DVNF utilises local Case Workers and Veteran Service Officers to verify each veteran's situation
• Whilst a letter from a VA case worker or service officer is not required, it significantly increases approval chances
• The letter should explain the veteran's hardship and describe how the case worker is assisting

Complete Documentation:

• Provide all required forms and documentation
• Include recent bills (within 30 days) with complete payment information
• Do not assume anything in your application—be explicit about your situation and needs

Eligible Expenses Only:

• Focus requests on housing (rent/mortgage) and essential utilities
• Understand that deposits are never covered
• Car payments considered only if vehicle is required for maintaining employment

For Organisations (Capacity Building Grants)

When Programme Reopens:

Veteran-Specific Programming:

• Grants must "solely benefit veterans and/or veteran-specific programmes"
• Demonstrate clear impact on veteran populations
• Show "exceptional dedication to veteran services"

Programme Types That Have Succeeded: Recent 2024 grant recipients represent diverse services including:

• Adaptive sports programmes
• Employment support
• Mental health resources
• Service animals and equine therapy
• Arts and wellness programmes
• Homelessness prevention
• Food assistance
• Community-based support services

What NOT to Request:

• Do not apply for overhead costs only
• Do not apply for salaries only
• Do not apply for general support without specific veteran programming
• Ensure your organisation has 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status before applying

Demonstrate Impact:

• The 2024 grant recipients' programmes directly benefited a combined total of 6,588 veterans
• Show measurable outcomes and veteran reach in your application

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Be Aware of Controversies: DVNF has an F rating from CharityWatch and a history of deceptive fundraising practices (settled in 2014). Whilst the organisation does provide grants, only 13.9% of its budget goes to programmes. Consider whether this aligns with your organisation's values before applying.

2. Capacity Building Grants Currently Unavailable: The organisational grant programme is suspended for updates. Monitor grants@dvnf.org for announcement of reopening. When operational, grants range up to $25,000 with biannual funding cycles.

3. Individual Veteran Grants Move Quickly: The GPS programme processes applications twice monthly with 1-2 week turnaround. This is faster than many veteran assistance programmes and can provide critical emergency support.

4. Sustainability Plans Are Non-Negotiable: For individual veterans, a clear plan for how the situation will improve after the grant is absolutely required. "Waiting for a VA claim" is explicitly not acceptable.

5. Verification Increases Success: Letters from VA case workers or Veteran Service Officers are not required but strongly recommended and significantly improve approval chances for individual applications.

6. Veteran-Specific Programming Only: Organisations must demonstrate that grants will "solely benefit veterans." Programmes serving broader populations with some veteran participants likely won't qualify.

7. Direct Payment Model: All payments go directly to service providers (landlords, utilities, etc.), never to veterans themselves. Factor this into your planning and timeline expectations.

2024 Capacity Building Grant Recipients

The following 29 organisations received grants totalling $464,600 in 2024, directly benefiting 6,588 veterans:

1. 22Mohawks Corp
2. A Safe Haven Foundation
3. Air Force Enlisted Village, Inc.
4. Arizona Pet Project
5. Art for the Journey
6. Baker Senior Center Naples
7. Bethany's Gait, Inc.
8. Challenged Athletes, Inc.
9. Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing
10. Dog Tag Bakery
11. Dunka, Inc.
12. Eureka Springs School of the Arts
13. Faith-Hope-Love-Charities, Inc.
14. For All Seasons, Inc.
15. Freedom Equine Connection
16. Freedom Service Dogs, Inc.
17. Fulcrum Farm Foundation/Farm2Veteran
18. God's Love We Deliver, Inc.
19. Hospice of the Bluegrass, Inc.
20. Mark Ministries
21. National Sports Center for the Disabled
22. New Visions Homeless Services
23. Resurrecting Lives Foundation
24. Service Peace Warriors
25. St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc.
26. Veteran Rites Inc.
27. Veterans Navigation Network
28. Vehicles for Veterans
29. Village For Vets

References

1. Disabled Veterans National Foundation Official Website. "Capacity Building Grants." https://www.dvnf.org/capacity-building-grants/ (Accessed January 1, 2026)

2. Disabled Veterans National Foundation. "Grants to Provide Stability." https://www.dvnf.org/gps/ (Accessed January 1, 2026)

3. Disabled Veterans National Foundation. "About DVNF." https://www.dvnf.org/about/ (Accessed January 1, 2026)

4. Disabled Veterans National Foundation. "Disabled Veterans National Foundation Announces $464,600 in Grants to 29 Veteran Service Organizations." June 2024. https://www.dvnf.org/dvnf-grants-29-veteran-service-organizations/ (Accessed January 1, 2026)

5. CharityWatch. "Disabled Veterans National Foundation." https://www.charitywatch.org/charities/disabled-veterans-national-foundation (Accessed January 1, 2026)

6. CharityWatch. "F Ratings: Veterans Charities to Avoid This Veterans Day 2024." November 2024. https://blog.charitywatch.org/f-ratings-veterans-charities-to-avoid-this-veterans-day-2024/ (Accessed January 1, 2026)

7. Charities for Veterans. "Disabled Veterans National Foundation." https://charitiesforvets.org/charity/disabled-veterans-national-foundation/ (Accessed January 1, 2026)

8. Philanthropy News Digest. "New York State Wins $25 Million Settlement in Veterans Charity Fraud." May 2014. https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/new-york-state-wins-25-million-settlement-in-veterans-charity-fraud (Accessed January 1, 2026)

9. Wikipedia. "Disabled Veterans National Foundation." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disabled_Veterans_National_Foundation (Accessed January 1, 2026)

10. PRWeb. "CEO of National Veterans Organisation Calls for Systematic Improvement at the Department of Veterans Affairs." May 2014. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/05/prweb11878483.htm (Accessed January 1, 2026)

11. AMAC Foundation. "Disabled Veterans National Foundation's GPS (Grants to Provide Stability)." https://amacfoundation.org/veterans_resources/disabled-veterans-national-foundations-gps-grants-to-provide-stability/ (Accessed January 1, 2026)

12. Disabled Veterans National Foundation. "Veteran Food Assistance Programme." https://www.dvnf.org/veteran-food-assistance-program/ (Accessed January 1, 2026)

13. New York Attorney General. "A.G. Schneiderman Announces $25 Million Settlement With National Veterans Charity And Its Direct Mail Fundraisers." 2014. https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2014/ag-schneiderman-announces-25-million-settlement-national-veterans-charity-and-its (Accessed May 8, 2026)

14. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Disabled Veterans National Foundation." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/261446183 (Accessed May 8, 2026)