This past year, dedicated DAV volunteers across the country gave nearly 246,000 rides for veterans to their Department of Veterans Affairs medical appointments.

Many of those rides were given in vehicles that our departments and chapters—often with the help of the DAV National Service Foundation’s Columbia Trust—purchased and donated to the VA, making the DAV Transportation Network a critical program in getting veterans who don’t have reliable transportation of their own access to their medical care.

The Columbia Trust is a grant resource for departments and chapters that need financial support to carry out their services to veterans, which includes helping cover the cost of Transportation Network vehicles. The Trust relies on financially well-positioned departments and chapters to share their resources with those in need.

Karen O’Neal, the chief for the Center for Development and Civic Engagement at the Erie VA Medical Center in Pennsylvania, is just one example of someone who relies on the Transportation Network to take care of the veterans in her region. She oversees 107 drivers and a fleet of 28 vehicles, making the Transportation Network program she manages one of the largest in the country.

“I thank God every day for the [volunteer transportation network] program,” she said. “It does nothing but good for our veterans. And access to health care is definitely met by the existence of the program and, of course, our generous volunteers.”

To keep the Transportation Network running smoothly, it’s important for our leaders to know the timeline and process for ordering new vehicles.

The window to order these vehicles opens once a year during the last quarter. The exact timing for 2025 purchases depends on when DAV receives vehicle and pricing information from Ford Motor Co. With guaranteed availability and the lowest price, this annual window is the only time departments and chapters can purchase Transportation Network vehicles.

Once Ford’s pricing information is sent to DAV, Voluntary Services will send a memo signed by the national adjutant providing the details, deadlines and request instructions.

Below is just an overview of the ordering process; the memo details every step and scenario. Please refer to it for full instructions when it becomes available.

Requesting vehicles is an online process that must be initiated by department leaders. Chapter leaders can’t open or start their own vehicle request applications. Vehicle requests can only be made if:

  • There’s an immediate need for a vehicle
  • You have approved volunteer drivers
  • Your local VA medical center is willing to accept the donation
  • You can guarantee the funds for the minimum share requirement (which is 55% of the total cost of the vehicle)

Department leaders must apply on behalf of their chapters but can request collaborators through the “Invitations” tab inside the application. Department leaders who are first-time users of the online portal, must select “Request Password” and use the email address on their membership record to get credentials.

Collaborators will be emailed a registration link to access and edit vehicle applications. They won’t be able to submit finished requests though. This allows department leaders to control access while delegating the responsibility of filling out the form to chapter leaders.

Departments must use one application for all vehicle requests under their purview. They shouldn’t submit an application until all of their department and chapter requests are completed.

The previous year’s department and chapter annual financial reports must be approved by DAV National Headquarters before an application can be considered. If a department or chapter is not required to file under provisions of the National Bylaws, they still must upload their previous year’s annual financial report into the application.

Departments applying on behalf of chapters requesting financial assistance must also upload their departmental annual financial report.

The DAV National Service Foundation needs these financial reports for all those requesting financial assistance as this is an essential component of assessing a department or chapter’s financial health, properly determining the financial need, and deciding what percentage—up to 45%—of the cost of the vehicle the Columbia Trust is going to cover.

Even if financial assistance is not requested, signatures on the application certification(s) from department and chapter leaders (if applicable) are required.

If you have any further questions, contact the National Service Foundation Columbia Trust at [email protected] or 859-441-7300 ext. 3301.