Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs: Grants now available for non-profit orgs to help veteran entrepreneurs

Contact: 1-800-WIS-VETS

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) announced today that grant applications are now being accepted from registered 501(c)(3)  or 501(c)(6) non-profit organizations that provide entrepreneurship training, or technical, business or other assistance to veteran entrepreneurs to improve employment outcomes.  Non-profit organizations interested in applying for this grant opportunity must submit their completed applications by February 10, 2017.

“The veterans community is best served when all veterans organizations work together to provide the best possible services to veterans and their families,” Kathy Marschman, interim secretary for the WDVA said. “Growing veteran employment and creating more veteran-owned businesses is not only good for the veteran, but it is good for our state. We look forward to partnering with organizations that help veterans succeed in entrepreneurship and improve employment outcomes in our state.”

The following criteria will be evaluated as part of the grant application:

  • Background and Organizational History
  • Organizational Qualifications and Past Performance
  • Experience Working with Veterans
  • Need for Grant Funding
  • Outreach and Referral Plan
  • Program and Implementation Timeline
  • Monitoring and Program Evaluation
  • Program Goals and Objectives
  • Past Working Relationships with other Start-up Businesses and Entrepreneurship Programs

The Entrepreneurship Grant program was passed by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Walker and includes a maximum total of up to $400,000 during the period of July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017. To qualify, non-profit organizations must be located in this state and registered and in good standing with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.

Application materials for this grant are available online by clicking here or by going to www.WisVets.com. Applications and questions about the grant application process should be directed to Chad McCafferty at 1-800-WIS-VETS or via email.