activities · 18
what they do
direct service · 11
- Assisting veterans with VA claims and benefits VA Benefits Claims AssistanceProvides free, professional assistance to veterans in filing or appealing VA claims and obtaining benefits through a nationwide network of VFW Accredited Service Officers, helping them recover billions in VA benefits and compensation annually.
- Engaging in community serviceEngages in community service through volunteerism benefiting education, the environment, health sciences, and civic projects, and operates the #StillServing campaign to honor veterans' ongoing commitment.
- Engaging in community service and volunteerismEngages in community service through volunteerism benefiting education, the environment, health sciences, and civic projects, and operates the #StillServing campaign to honor veterans' ongoing commitment.
- Operating an esports league for veterans Youth and Veteran Esports LeaguesOperates Combat Tested Gaming, an esports league for service members and veterans, currently in its fifth season focusing on "Rocket League."
- Providing scholarships for veteran education Military and First Responder Family ScholarshipsOffers scholarships of up to $5,000 for post-secondary education to student veterans.
- Publishing the VFW magazine Member Newsletter & Magazine DistributionPublishes the official VFW magazine, which has a circulation of over 1 million and has been in publication for more than a century.
- Supporting national security and foreign affairsOperates a National Security and Foreign Affairs (NS&FA) program to maintain national integrity.
- Supporting national security and foreign affairsOperates a National Security and Foreign Affairs (NS&FA) program aimed at maintaining national integrity.
- Supporting service members and their families Veteran and Family Support CoordinationProvides troop support programs to assist service members and their families during all phases of deployment, including financial assistance.
- Supporting veteran memorialsHelped fund and supported the creation of various veteran memorials, including the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II, Women in Military Service, Disabled Veterans for Life, and Desert Storm and Desert Shield memorials.
- Supporting veteran memorials Military & Veteran Support PackagesHelped fund and supported the creation of several veteran memorials, including the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II, Women in Military Service, Disabled Veterans for Life, and Desert Storm and Desert Shield memorials.
advocacy · 7
- Advocating for historical veteran legislation Federal Veterans AdvocacyWas instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration and the national cemetery system, and was a driving force behind key legislation such as the GI Bill for the 21st Century, the Veterans Access and Accountability Act of 2014, the Blue Water Navy Veteran Act, and the Honoring Our PACT Act.
- Advocating for historical veteran legislation Federal Veterans AdvocacyWas instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration and the national cemetery system, fought for compensation for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and veterans with Gulf War Syndrome, and was a driving force behind the GI Bill for the 21st Century, the Veterans Access and Accountability Act of 2014, the 2019 Blue Water Navy Veteran Act, and the 2022 Honoring Our PACT Act.
- Advocating for specific veteran legislation Federal Veterans AdvocacyWas instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration and the national cemetery system, and was a driving force behind the GI Bill for the 21st Century (2008), Veterans Access and Accountability Act of 2014, Blue Water Navy Veteran Act (2019), and Honoring Our PACT Act (2022).
- Advocating for veterans' policies and legislation Federal Veterans AdvocacyLobbies Congress and the administration on veterans' issues, regularly testifies before Congress, meets with elected officials, and operates a grassroots lobbying effort (Action Corps) to inform and educate on policies and advocate for veterans and service members.
- Advocating for veterans' policies and legislation Federal Veterans AdvocacyLobbies Congress and the administration on veterans' issues, regularly testifies before Congress, meets with elected officials, and operates a grassroots lobbying effort (Action Corps) to inform and educate on policies and advocate for veterans and service members to lawmakers. This includes prioritizing women veterans' access to benefits and care.
- Monitoring and improving VA healthcare Women Veterans Advocacy & AwarenessMonitors veterans' experiences with the VA health care system and provides feedback to VA officials to improve care quality, with a focus on ensuring women veterans receive adequate care.
- Monitoring and improving VA healthcare Women Veterans Advocacy & AwarenessMonitors veterans' experiences with the VA health care system and provides feedback to VA officials to improve care quality, with a priority on ensuring women veterans receive adequate care.
strategies · 15
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Advocacy for Veteran Rights and Benefits veteran advocacyThe organization advocates for veterans, service members, and their families by defending their rights, securing their earned benefits, and shaping legislation from its inception to ensure positive impact. This includes providing free assistance with VA claims and appeals.
- Advocating for and securing veteran rights and benefits veteran advocacyThe organization actively advocates for veterans' rights and benefits, working to shape legislation from its inception and providing direct assistance with VA claims and appeals to ensure veterans receive their earned benefits.
- Building community and camaraderie among combat veterans combat-veteran camaraderieThe organization bases its membership and support on the shared experience of overseas combat service, fostering camaraderie and community among veterans. This includes using modern methods like esports to bring service members and veterans together.
- Comprehensive Veteran Advocacy and Benefits Assistance veteran advocacyThe organization actively advocates for the rights and benefits of veterans, service members, and their families, engaging in proactive legislative efforts to shape policy from its inception. They also provide direct, free assistance with VA claims and appeals through accredited service officers, ensuring veterans receive their earned entitlements.
- Ensuring Accessibility for Veterans with Disabilities ADA compliance for service animalsThe organization embraces and implements ADA provisions regarding service animals to ensure that members with disabilities have full access to VFW Posts, actively encouraging private posts to adopt similar policies.
- Ensuring Accessibility for Veterans with Disabilities ADA compliance for service animalsThe organization actively embraces and promotes compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding service animals, ensuring that members with disabilities have full access to VFW Posts and encouraging private posts to adopt similar inclusive policies.
- Ensuring accessibility for veterans with disabilities ADA compliance for service animalsThe organization embraces ADA provisions regarding service animals to ensure that members with disabilities have access to VFW Posts, actively encouraging private posts to adopt inclusive policies.
- Fostering Camaraderie Through Shared Combat Experience combat-veteran camaraderieThe organization builds a strong community and support network by uniting veterans who have shared the unique experience of overseas combat service, believing this shared background fosters deep camaraderie and mutual understanding. This extends to using modern platforms like esports to connect service members and veterans.
- Fostering Camaraderie and Community among Combat Veterans combat-veteran camaraderieThe organization builds community and camaraderie among veterans, particularly those with overseas combat experience, by basing membership on shared experiences and utilizing activities like esports to bring them together and foster connections.
- Improving veteran and military family quality of life through comprehensive support and partnershipsThe organization works to improve the overall quality of life for veterans, service members, and their families by providing direct services, focusing on mental well-being, and forming strategic partnerships with other organizations to extend its impact and reach.
- Promoting Mental Wellness and Changing Narratives mental wellness initiativeThe organization specifically focuses on the mental well-being of veterans, aiming to positively impact their lives and actively work to change the societal narrative and stigma associated with mental wellness within the veteran community.
- Promoting Mental Wellness for Veterans mental wellness initiativeThe organization focuses on the mental well-being of veterans to create a positive impact and change the societal narrative surrounding mental health within the veteran community.
- Promoting patriotism and honoring service through community engagementThe organization promotes civic responsibility and patriotism by commemorating past wars, honoring service members, and engaging in volunteer efforts at local and national levels, including supporting youth and local programs.
- Strategic Partnerships and Affiliate Collaboration strategic partnershipsThe organization enhances its impact and extends its service reach by actively seeking and forming strategic relationships with other companies, organizations, and affiliates. This collaborative approach allows them to fulfill their mission more effectively and provide comprehensive support that goes beyond their internal programs.
- Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration for Enhanced Impact strategic partnershipsThe organization partners with other organizations and seeks strategic relationships with companies to expand its reach, maximize impact, and provide a broader range of services to veterans, service members, and their families that extend beyond its own programs.
named programs · 8
what they call their work
Combat Tested Gaming
An esports league that brings service members and veterans together through gaming to build camaraderie.
Community Service
Engages members in spreading patriotism and honoring nation's heroes through various community initiatives.
Legislative Advocacy
Advocates for the rights and needs of service members, veterans, and military families.
Scholarship
Provides college scholarships to youth.
Troop Support Programs
Provides support to troops and their families during all phases of deployment.
VA Claims Assistance
Provides trained VFW Accredited Service Officers to help veterans navigate the VA claims process and recover benefits and compensation.
VFW #StillServing
A campaign to showcase and honor the ongoing commitment and service of veterans in their communities.
Youth Activities
Offers programs designed for young people, including college scholarships and classroom resources for teachers.
relationships · 25
who they work with
- America250 Partner — Commemoration partner
- Burger King Partner — Corporate supporter
- Gratitude Initiative Partner — Corporate supporter
- Humana Partner — Corporate supporter
- KC Crew Partner — Works alongside this veteran-owned organization for the Combat Tested Gaming initiative.
- Military Order of the Cootie Partner — Affiliate organization
- MyVet Benefits Partner — Resource partner
- National Desert Storm War Memorial (NDSWM) Partner — Commemoration partner
- Sport Clips Partner — Corporate supporter
- Student Veterans of America (SVA) Partner — Resource partner
- Team Red White and Blue Partner — Resource partner
- The Grunt Style Foundation Partner — Resource partner
- Twisted X Partner — Corporate supporter
- USAA Partner — Corporate supporter
- VFW Auxiliary Partner — Affiliate organization
- VFW Auxiliary Partner — Collaborates with the VFW to support veterans; members are invited to join the Auxiliary.
- VFW Auxiliary Partner — Offers membership to family members of qualifying veterans.
- VFW Foundation Partner — Accepts vehicle donations to provide funds that support VFW programs and services.
- VFW Foundation Partner — Affiliate organization
- VFW National Home Partner — Affiliate organization
- VFW Store Partner — Affiliate organization
- Vet Tix Partner — Corporate supporter
- Vietnam 50th Anniversary Partner — Commemoration partner
- World War I Centennial Commission Partner — Commemoration partner
- Wounded Warrior Project Partner — Corporate supporter