Veterans United Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $10,543,766 (2023)
• Total Giving Since Inception: $145+ million (as of 2024)
• Number of Awards (2023): 525
• Grant Range: $2,000 (scholarships) to $1,250,000 (major organizational grants)
• Geographic Focus: National (with 40% to national veterans organizations, 40% to local communities where Veterans United operates)
• Founded: 2011
• Charity Navigator Rating: 4/4 Stars (92% score)

Contact Details

Address: 1400 Veterans United Drive, Suite 18, Columbia, Missouri 65203

Website: www.enhancelives.com

Contact Page: www.enhancelives.com/contact-us/ (for donation requests, scholarship information, or media inquiries)

Phone: Contact through website (parent company Veterans United Home Loans: 1-800-884-5560)

EIN: 45-3630533

Overview

Veterans United Foundation was created in 2011 by employees of Veterans United Home Loans with a mission to enhance the lives of veterans and military families and support diverse needs in local communities across the nation. The Foundation is uniquely funded by employee contributions—nearly 90% of Veterans United employees donate at least 1% of their salary—matched dollar-for-dollar by the company. Since inception, the Foundation has distributed over $145 million through 525 awards in 2023 alone, supporting both national military and veteran organizations as well as local community nonprofits where Veterans United operates. The Foundation earned a 4-Star rating (92% score) from Charity Navigator, with 92.5% of its $11.4 million budget in 2023 spent on programs. In 2021, the Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary by donating an additional $10 million on top of regular giving, with employee surveys guiding priorities toward mental health treatment and awareness and veteran homelessness.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Scholarship Program (Public Application Available)

• Amount: Up to 20 bi-annual scholarships of $2,000 each
• Total Distributed: Over $1 million since 2012
• Application Periods: Spring (April 1-30) and Fall
• Eligibility: Veterans with 100% service-connected disability; surviving spouse of deceased servicemember from service-related death; or surviving child of deceased servicemember from service-related death
• Covers: Tuition, books, fees, school materials, and some aspects of room and board

Organizational Grants (No Public Application Process - See "How to Apply" section)

• Range: Varies widely from smaller community grants to major gifts exceeding $1 million
• Distribution Strategy: 80% of total funds contributed distributed annually
  • 40% to national military and veteran organizations
  • 40% to organizations and individuals in local communities where Veterans United operates
• Decision-Making: Allocation committee of six Veterans United Home Loans employees elected by peers for two-year terms

Priority Areas

National Veterans & Military Organizations

• Organizations building specially adapted homes for severely-injured veterans at no cost
• Programs making military life easier through youth development and healthy living
• Fisher House program
• The Mission Continues
• Hope for the Warriors ($20,000 grant in 2024 for Texas-based military families)

Local Community Support (Columbia, MO and other Veterans United locations)

• Domestic and sexual violence victim advocacy (True North: $1.25 million in 2021)
• Mental health treatment and awareness
• Veteran homelessness services
• Affordable housing initiatives ($1.3 million pledged in 2022)
• Community services expansion (Rainbow House: $1 million; Central Pantry: $750,000; Job Point: $500,000)
• Educational support for vulnerable populations ($100,000 for Ukrainian students at University of Missouri)

Individual Direct Assistance

• Veterans and military families in financial need
• Emergency assistance for housing stability, utilities, food security, and transportation to medical appointments

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. The Foundation focuses on veteran-related causes and communities where Veterans United operates. Based on giving patterns, they prioritize:

• Organizations aligned with employee-selected causes (through internal surveys and voting)
• Projects with meaningful, measurable impact on veterans, military families, or local communities
• Programs addressing mental health, homelessness, domestic violence, education, and basic needs

Governance and Leadership

Allocation Committee Structure

The Foundation operates through an allocation committee consisting of six Veterans United Home Loans employees who are elected by their peers to serve two-year terms. Each committee member has demonstrated a desire to go above and beyond in living out the company's core values, acting as an advocate and voice for their colleagues. The committee reviews all donation requests and makes funding decisions.

Governance Oversight

A governance structure oversees Veterans United Foundation, providing guidance and focus for the big-picture mission. Specific board members and trustees are not publicly identified on the website, though detailed information is available in IRS Form 990 filings.

Employee-Driven Model

More than 4,600 Veterans United Home Loans employees contribute to the Foundation, with contributions matched dollar-for-dollar by the company. The Foundation regularly conducts employee surveys to determine funding priorities, ensuring grants reflect the values and concerns of those who fund it.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Scholarships: The Veterans United Foundation Scholarship has a public application process available at www.enhancelives.com/scholarships during spring (April 1-30) and fall submission periods. Applicants complete an online form and essay, with required documents due within three business days.

For Organizational Grants: Veterans United Foundation does not have a public application process for organizational grants. The Foundation operates through an employee-driven allocation committee model where:

• Donation requests are accepted through the contact page at www.enhancelives.com/contact-us/
• All requests are reviewed by the six-member allocation committee
• The committee consists of Veterans United Home Loans employees elected by their peers
• Employee surveys and voting help guide funding priorities
• The Foundation builds relationships within communities and with partner organizations

This is not a traditional grant application process. Organizations interested in support should:

1. Submit a donation request through the contact page
2. Understand that funding decisions are made by the employee allocation committee
3. Recognize that employee priorities and voting influence selections
4. Note that 40% of funds go to national veterans organizations and 40% to local communities where Veterans United operates

Getting on Their Radar

Build Community Connections in Veterans United Locations: The Foundation allocates 40% of funds to local communities where Veterans United operates, with significant presence in Columbia, Missouri. Organizations in these communities have stronger likelihood of consideration.

Align with Employee-Identified Priorities: In the Foundation's 10th anniversary (2021), Veterans United employees voted on causes, with mental health treatment/awareness and veteran homelessness ranking highest. Current employee priorities drive funding decisions.

Demonstrate Clear Impact for Veterans or Military Families: Organizations serving post-9/11 veterans, military families, or addressing veteran-specific needs align with the Foundation's core mission. For local organizations, demonstrating meaningful community impact is equally important.

Participate in Employee Nomination Process: During major giving initiatives (like the 10th anniversary), employees nominate local projects hosted by nonprofits, followed by employee voting. Building awareness among Veterans United employees can position organizations for nomination.

Contact the Foundation Directly: While there's no formal application, the Foundation accepts donation requests through their contact page. Direct outreach expressing interest and explaining your organization's alignment with their mission may initiate a conversation with the allocation committee.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. The allocation committee reviews donation requests on an ongoing basis. Major giving initiatives (like the $10 million 10th anniversary distribution) appear to follow employee survey and voting processes that may take several months.

Success Rates

Success rate data (applications received vs. grants awarded) is not publicly available. In 2023, the Foundation made 525 awards totaling $10,543,766. The number of donation requests received is not disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented. Organizations that have received funding appear to receive ongoing support (e.g., Hope for the Warriors received grants in multiple years).

Application Success Factors

Since Veterans United Foundation operates through an employee-driven allocation committee rather than a traditional grant application process, success factors differ from typical foundations:

Align with Employee Values: The Foundation conducted employee surveys for its 10th anniversary, with mental health treatment and awareness and veteran homelessness emerging as top priorities. Understanding what matters to Veterans United employees—who fund and direct the Foundation—is crucial.

Serve Veterans, Military Families, or Local Communities: The Foundation's 40-40 distribution strategy means organizations must either serve veterans and military families nationally OR demonstrate meaningful impact in communities where Veterans United operates (especially Columbia, Missouri).

Demonstrate Measurable Impact: The Foundation describes seeking "meaningful impact in the lives of others." Past grants show preference for organizations that can articulate clear outcomes, such as True North's plan to "expand physical space, hire more staff and enhance community presence" with their $1.25 million grant.

Build Relationships, Not Just Submit Requests: The Foundation emphasizes that it "builds relationships within the company, communities and partners." Organizations that connect with Veterans United employees, participate in community events, or establish ongoing partnerships appear better positioned than those making cold requests.

Address Critical Needs: Major grants have gone to organizations addressing urgent needs like domestic violence advocacy, affordable housing, food security, and mental health treatment. The Foundation appears to prioritize addressing fundamental challenges over less critical needs.

Think Beyond Small Asks: While the Foundation makes smaller grants, they've demonstrated willingness to make transformational gifts ($1.25 million to True North, $1.3 million for affordable housing, $1 million to Rainbow House). Organizations should present compelling cases for significant investment if they can demonstrate proportionate impact.

For Scholarships: Applicants should "share their story of how military service or losing a spouse/parent affected them, explain who they are, where their life has taken them, and what they hope to pursue through college education and beyond." Personal, authentic narratives that demonstrate resilience and educational commitment are valued.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Not a Traditional Funder: This Foundation does not accept standard grant applications. It operates through an employee-driven allocation committee model where Veterans United Home Loans employees elect committee members and vote on funding priorities.

• Employee Priorities Drive Decisions: With 90% of Veterans United employees contributing at least 1% of salary, the Foundation reflects employee values. Understanding employee surveys and voting results provides insight into current priorities (mental health, veteran homelessness).

• 40-40 Geographic Strategy: 40% funds national veterans organizations, 40% funds local communities where Veterans United operates. Position your organization within one of these categories and emphasize relevant geographic connections.

• Relationship-Based Funding: The Foundation emphasizes "building relationships within communities and with partners." Cold submissions are reviewed, but organizations with existing connections to Veterans United employees or communities likely have advantages.

• Significant Giving Capacity: Despite employee-funded origins, this Foundation distributed $10.5 million in 2023 and has given $145+ million since 2011. They make both transformational gifts (over $1 million) and smaller grants—don't self-limit your request if you can demonstrate commensurate impact.

• High Program Efficiency: 92.5% of budget spent on programs, earning 4-star Charity Navigator rating. They value operational excellence and efficient use of funds—demonstrate strong financial stewardship in any request.

• Scholarship Program is Exception: Unlike organizational grants, the scholarship program has a public application process with clear deadlines (April 1-30 and fall periods). Eligible veterans and military families should apply directly at www.enhancelives.com/scholarships.

References

1. Veterans United Foundation Official Website - www.enhancelives.com (Accessed March 2026)
2. Veterans United Foundation About Page - www.enhancelives.com/about/ (Accessed March 2026)
3. Veterans United Foundation Contact Page - www.enhancelives.com/contact-us/ (Accessed March 2026)
4. Veterans United Foundation Scholarships - www.enhancelives.com/scholarships (Accessed March 2026)
5. Veterans United Home Loans Foundation Page - www.veteransunited.com/about/foundation/ (Accessed March 2026)
6. Charity Navigator Rating for Veterans United Foundation - www.charitynavigator.org/ein/453630533 (Accessed March 2026)
7. GuideStar Profile - Veterans United Foundation - www.guidestar.org/profile/45-3630533 (Accessed March 2026)
8. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Veterans United Foundation - projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/453630533 (Accessed March 2026)
9. Instrumentl 990 Report - Veterans United Foundation - www.instrumentl.com/990-report/veterans-united-foundation (Accessed March 2026)
10. "Veterans United Foundation Marks 10 Years of Enhancing Lives" - Business Wire, February 4, 2022 - www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220204005485/en/ (Accessed March 2026)
11. "Veterans United Foundation donates $10 million to local nonprofits" - Columbia Missourian, November 2021 - www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/veterans-united-foundation-donates-10-million-to-local-nonprofits/ (Accessed March 2026)
12. "Veterans United Foundation grants $20,000 to Hope for the Warriors" - Hope for the Warriors, November 2024 - www.hopeforthewarriors.org/veterans-united-foundation-grants-20000-to-hope-for-the-warriors-to-support-military-families/ (Accessed March 2026)
13. "True North to develop new victim advocacy center using VU donation" - KOMU 8 News, 2021 - www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/true-north-to-develop-new-victim-advocacy-center-using-vu-donation/ (Accessed March 2026)
14. Cause IQ - Veterans United Foundation - www.causeiq.com/organizations/veterans-united-foundation,453630533/ (Accessed March 2026)