By sharing and distributing funds, the Trust ensures promises are kept nationwide

Chapters and Departments sometimes lack the funds needed to provide direct service initiatives for ill and injured veterans in their communities. When they do, they can contact the Columbia Trust—a resource to ensure DAV’s many invaluable, no-cost services remain available to veterans and their families across the country.

As a “restricted fund” within DAV’s National Service Foundation, the Trust exists solely to support DAV service programs at Department and local levels where funding might not otherwise be available. Additionally, Chapters and Departments that have excess funds can “spread the wealth” to other DAV entities by contributing to the Trust.

“The Columbia Trust is all about providing the means to help others,” said National Adjutant Marc Burgess.
“Our members and leaders need to look out for each other the same way we did while wearing the uniform.”

Chapters and Departments that need a grant from the Trust to initiate or maintain programs should apply. To ensure funds go where they are needed most, however, these grants are not awarded to Chapters and Departments that demonstrate an ongoing ability to meet their proposed service obligations.

“One of the most successful functions of the Trust is its role in bridging resources from well-populated areas to those in need,” said National Service Foundation President Arthur H. Wilson. “Funds contributed to the Trust are then used for service initiatives that other Chapters and Departments simply couldn’t afford to offer veterans in their communities.”

The Foundation’s Board of Directors acts as a fiduciary of the Trust, with guidance from an advisory committee. The committee was established to advise the board on the merit of each grant request and consists of one member from each district of DAV’s national organization. This provides each geographical area with equal representation and a voice in the decision-making process.

“The Columbia Trust makes service initiatives possible where they are most needed,” Burgess said. “It enables us to both give and receive. It provides the means for our leaders at the local level to keep our promises to America’s ill and injured veterans and their families.”

Learn More Online

More information about the Trust, including a grant application and steps on how to contribute, is available at nsf.dav.org/columbia-trust/. Current annual financial reports must be on file and approved at DAV National Headquarters in accordance with Articles 8 and 9 of the DAV National Bylaws before an application will be considered