WHO
WE ARE
The
Veterans Foundation of Illinois Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2003,
is the official charity of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of
Illinois. The Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the United States is America’s largest and oldest combat veteran’s
organization. The Veterans of Foreign
Wars, Department of Illinois was chartered Dec 20, 1920.
Our
mission (the solemn promise) of the Veterans Foundation of Illinois, Inc is to
support programs and services that secure, manage, and distribute resources to
improve the lives of veterans, military service personnel, their families, and
communities where they live throughout Illinois.
We
are especially proud of our extremely low administrative costs. The Veterans Foundation of Illinois, Inc has 0%
administrative costs so we maximize every dollar donated to support and help
veterans.
WHO
WE HELP
The
Veterans Foundation of Illinois, Inc seeks to make veterans, military service
personnel, and their families feel appreciated for their service to our country. After all, these individuals have often
personally sacrificed much for America. So we conduct a variety of fundraising activities in direct support of
IL VFW programs and services. The
Veterans Foundation of Illinois, Inc also assists VFW Posts and the Districts
in their local fundraising endeavors.
HOW
WE SUPPORT VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES
The
Veterans Foundation of Illinois, Inc supports the many veterans programs
administered by VFW Posts and Districts throughout Illinois. Programs, such as:
- · Homeless
veterans – food, clothing and support of Stand-downs which provides resources
to our homeless veterans. Homeless
veterans are a major portion of our "street people” and 1 in 10 homeless
veterans on the street is a woman veteran, many with children.
- · Hospital/VAVS
program – we have 6 VA hospitals that house veterans while they are treated and
recover from sickness and 5 Veterans Homes in IL that provide living quarters
to our retired veterans. All of these
facilities need assistance with essential living supplies for the veterans and
to support activities for the veterans.
- · National
Home for Children – Established in 1925 in Eaton Rapids, MI to care for the children
and families of veterans. IL VFW
sponsors 2 homes at the facility to give veterans and their families a chance
to rebuild their lives.
- · Veterans
and Military Support – supports the Adopt A Unit program, Military Assistance
Program grants, and support for veterans that are facing financial hardship
through the Unmet Needs program
- · Student
Veterans – provide peer support for veterans transitioning back to civilian
life and academia.
- · Claims
and Benefits Assistance – our VFW accredited Service officers provide
assistance to veterans as they file claims or appeal their claims for VA
benefits, pay, and disability
- · Yellow
Ribbon – to promote the well being of National guard and Reserve members, their
families, and communities, by connecting them with resources throughout the
deployment cycle.
- · Youth
Activities – Provide scholarships to High School students through the Voice of
Democracy Program and Middle School students through the Patriots Pens
program. Recognize Scouts achieving the
rank of Eagle Scout or Gold Award. Recognizing outstanding youth that are in JROTC/SROTC, Civil Air Patrol,
or Navy Sea Cadets.
- · Legislative
– Using the voice and leveraging our membership to talk to elected officials on
the local, county, state, and national levels to lobby for causes that effect
veterans and their families.
- · Community
Programs – support community involvement, disaster relief efforts, promoting
citizenship, volunteerism, and Americanism, and recognizing outstanding members
of our communities that support veterans.
HOW
YOU CAN HELP
The
Veterans Foundation of Illinois, Inc raises money through a variety of
strategic ways, including:
· Grants
from corporations or foundations
· Matching
gifts programs
· Employee
giving campaigns such as CFC or United Way
· Non-cash
donations of cars, RVs, boats, etc
· Individual
contributions including major gifts
· In-kind
gifts of product donations
· Memorial
gifts
· Donations
from partners based on purchases
CONTACT
US
You
can email us at vfwil@vfwil.org or call us at
217-529-6688