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Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust

Annual Giving
$10.9M
Grant Range
$6K - $7.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,917,539 (2024)
  • Number of Awards: 101 (2024)
  • Grant Range: $5,800 - $7,327,983
  • Average Grant: ~$108,000 (based on 2024 data)
  • Application Cycles: 4 per year (January, April, July, October)
  • Geographic Focus: National (primarily Kentucky, Texas, and Colorado)
  • Efficiency: 97 cents of every dollar goes to programs

Contact Details

Website: https://cst.dav.org

Email: cst@dav.org

Phone: (877) 426-2838, Option 6

Address: 860 Dolwick Drive, Erlanger, KY 41018

Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday

Grant Support: (877) 426-2838, Option 6, then press 2

Online Application Portal: https://dav.smartsimple.com/

Overview

The DAV Charitable Service Trust was organized in 1986 and awarded its first grant in 1988. The Trust is dedicated to empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity by awarding grants to nonprofit organizations with programs that benefit service members of every era. With assets of $77,256,489, the Trust distributed $10,917,539 through 101 grants in 2024. In 2023, the Trust had a record year, distributing nearly $21.5 million in grants—more than double the 2022 amount and the most money ever distributed in one year to organizations outside of DAV. The Trust holds a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, demonstrating exceptional financial health and accountability. The Board of Directors operates entirely through volunteer service without compensation, applying high ethical standards to ensure both donors and grant recipients receive exemplary care.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single veteran grants program with four application cycles per year. Applications open and close on the first and last business days of January, April, July, and October. Grant awards range from $5,800 to over $7 million, with an average award of approximately $108,000 based on 2024 data.

Priority Areas

The Trust awards grants for programs providing:

  • Basic Needs: Food, shelter, and necessary items for homeless or at-risk veterans
  • Mobility Support: Adaptive equipment for veterans with vision loss, hearing loss, or amputations (including service dogs, adaptive Segways, vision/hearing devices)
  • Healthcare: Programs ensuring quality health care for veterans
  • Mental Health: Assistance for veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma, substance abuse issues, and related conditions
  • Rehabilitation: Physical and psychological rehabilitation programs, including animal-assisted therapy
  • Transportation: Functioning vehicles or bus tokens for veterans without transportation
  • Education & Career: Life skills and career training for veterans seeking employment and skill development
  • Therapeutic Activities: Evidence-based therapeutic or recreational activities (creative writing, music lessons, dancing, recreational events)
  • Caregiver Support: Initiatives addressing needs of veterans' caregivers and families

Priority is given to long-term service projects providing direct assistance to disabled veterans.

What They Don't Fund

The Trust generally does NOT fund:

  • Goodwill advertising
  • Political or religious initiatives
  • Endowment funds
  • Pilot projects
  • Capital item acquisitions

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

The Trust is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who serve without compensation:

  • J. Marc Burgess, President (Hebron, KY)
  • Barry A. Jesinoski, Vice President (Erlanger, KY)
  • Dennis R. Nixon, Secretary/Treasurer (China Spring, TX)
  • Coleman F. Nee, Director (South Yarmouth, MA)
  • Danny D. Oliver, Director (Coweta, OK)
  • Denice T. Williams, Director (Suffolk, VA)
  • Kim Hubers, Director (Dell Rapids, SD)

Administration

The Trust does not employ any individuals. Administration of key business operations is conducted by DAV (Disabled American Veterans) personnel who provide support on a limited basis. This volunteer-driven model ensures maximum resources flow to veterans' programs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the online portal at https://dav.smartsimple.com/

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be operational and recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt
  • Can apply only once per 12 months
  • Can receive funding only once per year

Required Documentation (dated according to cycle):

  • Board of Directors list for current fiscal year with term dates
  • Program/project budget
  • Annual operating budget
  • IRS Letter of Determination
  • IRS Form W-9
  • Audited financial statements
  • Form 990

Documentation Date Requirements:

  • January Cycle: Documents dated December 31 or more recent
  • April Cycle: Documents dated March 31 or more recent
  • July Cycle: Documents dated June 30 or more recent
  • October Cycle: Documents dated September 30 or more recent

Decision Timeline

Funding decisions are made by the Board of Directors. Every effort is made to adhere to Grant Decision Dates; however, notifications may be issued after the dates indicated. Specific timeframes between application deadlines and decision notifications are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Based on available data:

  • 2024: 101 awards granted
  • 2023: 103 awards granted (with $21.5 million distributed)
  • 2022: 82 awards granted

Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Applicants may receive consideration only once per 12 months. Returning applicants (whether previously successful or unsuccessful) are not eligible to submit a new application until the minimum time has elapsed. Previously funded applicants must also satisfy all measures of accountability as described in the executed grant agreement before reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's documented priorities and approach:

Selection Criteria: Grant awards are based upon:

  • Application quality
  • Program service/purpose
  • Financial need/stability
  • Impact on veterans

The Trust Seeks:

  • Long-term service projects (priority given)
  • Programs providing direct assistance to disabled veterans
  • Organizations demonstrating accountability through required measures
  • Programs that maximize donor contributions' capacity
  • Competitive selection through a rigorous process

Examples of Funded Projects:

  • Archi's Acres: Teaching sustainable and organic agriculture to troops transitioning from service (veteran of three combat tours in Iraq leading program)
  • University of Connecticut Foundation: Entrepreneurship Bootcamp and business management training for veterans
  • Community Hope: $25,000 grant for veterans' programs supporting personnel, food, and household supplies (has helped over 7,000 veterans rise above homelessness)

Key Success Factors:

  • Demonstrate direct, measurable impact on veterans
  • Show organizational stability and financial responsibility
  • Focus on programs addressing veterans' most challenging hurdles
  • Align with Trust's mission to "reconnect veterans with new possibilities"
  • Provide comprehensive, accurate documentation
  • Emphasize accountability measures and program outcomes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Apply early in your preferred cycle: Applications are accepted only during four specific months (January, April, July, October), and you can only apply once per year
  • Focus on direct assistance: Priority is given to programs providing tangible, direct support to disabled veterans rather than indirect services
  • Emphasize long-term impact: The Trust prioritizes established, sustainable programs over pilot projects
  • Document financial stability: With grants ranging from under $6,000 to over $7 million, demonstrate your organization's capacity to manage funds appropriately
  • Highlight measurable outcomes: With 97% program efficiency, the Trust ensures grants maximize impact—show how you'll measure and report results
  • Prepare comprehensive documentation: Ensure all required documents (990, audits, budgets, IRS determination) are current and dated appropriately for your cycle
  • Target specific veteran needs: Applications addressing PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma, mobility issues, homelessness, and career transition align strongly with Trust priorities

References

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