The heartbeat of DAV is its members. From legislative advocacy to benefits work to being a shoulder to lean on, we rely on each other to keep the promise to all veterans forever changed by service.
Sometimes this work requires departments and chapters to have access to financial resources that might be beyond their ability to secure on their own. We don’t want this to be a barrier to helping veterans.
Enter the Columbia Trust of the DAV National Service Foundation. It’s a restricted fund used to provide grants for DAV volunteer initiatives that departments and chapters are encouraged to pay into. Those in need can request funds from this source, while those who have extra funds can contribute to it to pay for service initiatives.
The Columbia Trust was established in 1996 to help ensure DAV’s programs and services are available at the state and local level and in areas where unserved or underserved veterans reside. Originally named The Colorado Trust in recognition of the Department of Colorado’s generous $500,000 gift, it was renamed to The Columbia Trust in 2008 to reflect contributions from other departments and chapters. The Trust has served as an effective way to get resources where they need to go to best support veterans and their families.
Each community DAV departments and chapters serve is different. That’s why leaders are encouraged to identify the unmet needs in their areas and come up with the best ways to serve ill and injured veterans. Typical grant requests that are funded through the Columbia Trust include:
- Salaries for Hospital Service Coordinators and Department and Chapter Service Officers
- Homeless Veterans Program
- Veterans Outreach Program
- Direct service initiatives for veterans and their families
- Transportation Network vehicle purchases (Note: there is a separate timeline and application for this)
Requests typically not funded include:
- Salaries for commanders, adjutants and other support staff
- Utilities and maintenance fees
- Office supplies
- Indirect costs
- Requests outside of the application period
There’s a vetted application process departments and chapters must go through to receive funds from the Columbia Trust. They can apply for funds once a year.
For the 2025-2026 membership year, the application window opens on April 1 and closes on July 15. Each chapter or department applying for a grant must have its Annual Financial Review from the 2023-2024 membership year approved by DAV National Headquarters before making a grant request.
Newly elected leaders must submit a new Officer Election Report to the membership department as soon as possible so they can access the grant application site.
First-time users must select “Request Password” to receive grant site credentials. Follow the instructions in the email sent after making that request.
Once logged in, users can click the building icon in the upper right of the screen and select the entity whose behalf they are applying. Then, select “Funding Opportunities” to continue the process. Users can leave and come back to an application and select “In Progress” to proceed.
Important details and instructions about the application process are included in a memo we send to all department commanders and adjutants at the end of March. Questions can be addressed to the Foundation at [email protected] or by phone at 859-441-7300, option 6, then press 2.
The Columbia Trust is a valuable resource in our service to veterans and it requires a committed effort to keep it going. We must continue to be its dedicated stewards and remember the spirit behind its establishment: Take from it when you need it and give back when you can.