Find Answers to Common Questions About the VFW Foundation

In the spirit of service, our mission is resolute: to serve our nation’s heroes and their families by securing resources for programs that facilitate enhanced life outcomes—now and for generations to come. We stand committed to transforming lives through dedication, ensuring no one is left behind.

You can reach us by email at foundation@vfw.org or by phone at 816.968.1128.

Absolutely. VFW Accredited Service Officers are skilled in navigating the VA claims process and can help you recover the benefits you’ve earned. This service is free of charge and available to all veterans.

You can contact the National Personnel Records Center at 314.801.0800 or visit their website to request copies of your military records.

VFW Posts open to the public must follow ADA guidelines, allowing service animals. Private Posts should bring this issue to a vote among their membership, but generally, the VFW supports access for members with disabilities and their service animals.

View the U.S. Department of Justice website’s frequently asked questions about service animals and the ADA.

To join the VFW, you must be a veteran who served overseas in an area of foreign conflict. However, family members of qualifying veterans can join the VFW Auxiliary. Visit the VFW Auxiliary website or call 816.561.8655 for more information.

You can contact the National Personnel Records Center to issue a DD-215 showing receipt of the Korea Defense Service Medal. Any travel orders or military documentation showing your service in Korea for at least 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days will also suffice as proof of eligibility for VFW membership.

You can contact the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) for copies of your Leave and Earnings Statements (LES) or they can direct you to your service-specific finance office for those records.

Yes, all donations to the VFW Foundation are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law. Our EIN is 43-1758998.

Over the last decade, 72% of each dollar received was applied directly to veteran service, community service, legislative advocacy, and military service programs.

The VFW Foundation accepts vehicle donations, which support a variety of programs for service members, veterans, and their families. Your donation is tax-deductible and can be arranged easily through our vehicle donation program.

To update your donor information or remove your name from our mailing list, contact our Donor Services Department at vfwfundraising@vfw.org or call 1.833.VFW.GIVE (1.833.839.4483).

We include token gifts in our mailings because our donors appreciate and look forward to receiving them. These inexpensive items help us raise more money, enabling us to support more veterans each year. To customize the frequency and types of gifts you receive, you can print and fill out the Mailing Options form and send it to the address on the form or contact our Donor Services Department by calling toll-free 1.833.VFW.GIVE (1.833.839.4483) to let them know your preferences.

Information on how to apply for grants and scholarships, including eligibility criteria and application deadlines, can be found on our Programs pages.

 To request permission to use the VFW’s name, logo, or marks for print or commercial purposes, please submit a completed authorization request form to the VFW Quartermaster General’s office or email qmgeneral@vfw.org for additional information.

Freelance writers wishing to write for the magazine should review our submission guidelines before submitting an article.

These items are offered through the VFW Development Department. Contact them at 1.833.VFW.GIVE (1.833.839.4483) or email vfwfundraising@vfw.org.

No. The VFW’s congressional charter prohibits the organization from endorsing or otherwise supporting political candidates or any individual running for a public office position.