VDF Small Grant Program

The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services administers the Veterans' Donations Fund under A.R.S. 41-608. The fund consists of monies, gifts, and contributions donated to the Department, including proceeds associated with designated Arizona license plates. VDF monies are continuously appropriated and are restricted to benefiting Arizona Veterans. For the VDF small-grant program, the Department awards grants of less than $5,000 for eligible service events, programs, and projects that directly benefit or directly support Arizona Veterans and that are compatible with objectives established by the ADVS Director. Awards are subject to the availability of VDF monies. For the small-grant solicitation, ADVS emphasizes services addressing social determinants of health for Arizona Veterans. Applications must pertain to at least one identified SDOH area: basic needs, employment, family and social support, finances and benefits, higher education, housing and homelessness, legal services, mental health and substance abuse, physical health, or spirituality. ADVS encourages upstream prevention intended to keep Veterans and their families from escalating into crisis. Direct services for Veterans are prioritized over indirect services. The solicitation gives assistance with past-due rent or utilities as an example of direct service and contrasts this with research on Veteran homelessness that does not itself provide a direct benefit to an individual Veteran. Eligible grantees under the current small-grant solicitation must be 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, Tribal organizations, or government entities. Organizations do not have to be based in Arizona, but VDF funding must benefit only Arizona Veterans. Applicants must be in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service and ADVS. Applicants with unexpended or unreported funds or past-due deliverables from previous VDF grants are ineligible until those matters are resolved. ADVS prefers organizations whose primary mission provides benefits to Arizona Veterans or applicants proposing a program, project, or event that supports Arizona Veterans and is compatible with Department objectives. Applicants may apply for only one VDF grant for a particular project, program, or event per year. A small-grant request must be $4,999.99 or less, and a proposal for $5,000 or more may not be divided into smaller proposals to avoid the applicable solicitation requirements. The proposal must include Attachment One, Certification and Authorization; Attachment Two, Organization Information; Attachment Three, Statement of Service for the proposed event, program, or project; Attachment Four, a Budget Worksheet; and Attachment Five, the State of Arizona Substitute W-9. The budget must provide a line-item breakdown of the revenue and expenses for which VDF funding is requested, and the proposal must include the organization's operating budget as well as the proposed VDF grant budget. The Statement of Service addresses the proposed service, target Arizona Veteran population, benefits, implementation plan, advertising, expected results, organizational mission and qualifications, funding needs and other funding sources, and VDF funding received during the previous five years. Completed proposals may be submitted by email to vdf@azdvs.gov or by fax to (602) 297-6687. Completed applications must be received at least 48 hours before the originally scheduled review meeting to be considered at that meeting; later applications roll to the next scheduled review meeting. At least three evaluators who are peers or other qualified individuals evaluate applications, with an internal ADVS review committee making recommendations to the Director. Applications are reviewed according to the stated evaluation criteria, including the information supplied in Attachment Three. Evaluators may recommend budget adjustments, reporting requirements, or special payment releases. The Director may affirm, modify, or reject the recommendations. Applicants should not discuss their proposed program, project, or event with evaluators or other applicants while the review is underway. Small Grant Proposals are accepted throughout the year subject to available funding, and the FY 27 VDF Grant Year runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, although the grant year may conclude early if allocated VDF funds are exhausted. The Department states that notification of its decision will be made within 30 days after receipt of a completed proposal. Notice is sent to the primary contact email provided in the proposal. An awarded applicant must not begin work or provide materials or services until it receives the applicable VDF Grant release document or written Notice to Proceed. The contract term begins upon signature of the Award of Grant and continues for one year unless terminated earlier under the contract provisions. Required closeout documentation includes project results and, within 90 days after project completion, an expenditure report comparing actual and projected costs, explanations of differences, and receipts or other verifiable proof of approved expenditures. Unexpended VDF funds must be returned to ADVS. Program questions may be directed to the VDF Grants Team at vdf@azdvs.gov or (602) 234-8413.

Address at least one identified social determinant of health and emphasize upstream prevention where applicable. Prioritize direct services that directly benefit individual Arizona Veterans. Clearly demonstrate compatibility with ADVS objectives. Submit a complete application with a detailed line-item budget because incomplete proposals may be returned or disqualified. Submit at least 48 hours before the desired review meeting. Resolve unexpended or unreported prior VDF funds and overdue deliverables before applying.