Veterans of Foreign Wars

What Veterans of Foreign Wars does

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is a congressionally chartered, nonprofit veterans service organization founded in 1899 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. It serves U.S. veterans who have honorably served in foreign conflicts, their families, and the broader military community, operating through a network of local Posts in all 50 states plus Europe, Latin America/Caribbean, and Pacific Areas. VFW's core service is free VA claims assistance delivered by more than 2,200 Accredited Service Officers, supported by an Online Membership System (OMS) and the recently launched claims.vfw.org self-serve benefits tool.

The organization runs an integrated program portfolio including the Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship (over $16 million cumulative since 2013), financial grants, student veteran support, mental wellness initiatives, the Still Serving campaign and Day of Service community programs, Combat Tested Gaming, and youth/education programs, alongside advocacy in Washington D.C. and member-facing media including VFW Magazine and the VFW Podcast. VFW helps recover approximately $9 billion in VA benefits and compensation annually on behalf of veterans, though this is member benefit, not VFW revenue.

VFW's revenue is generated entirely outside federal appropriations, relying on membership dues from 1.3 million+ members, individual donations and monthly giving, corporate partnerships (USAA, Humana, Sport Clips, Batteries Plus, CenterWell, loanDepot, and others), magazine subscriptions, and merchandise sales through the VFW Store. The organization reports that 72% of every dollar of support is applied directly to veterans service, community service, legislative advocacy, and military service programs, and it operates affiliated entities including the VFW Auxiliary, VFW Foundation, and VFW Store.

Name

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Legal name

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

Website

https://vfw.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is a congressionally chartered nonprofit, founded in 1899, serving 1.3 million members through local Posts nationwide. It delivers free VA claims assistance via 2,200+ Accredited Service Officers and runs scholarships, community service, advocacy, and member support programs funded by dues and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veterans Services and Advocacy

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans & Military Family Benefits Administration (BPAIAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Veterans, Military & Employer/Third-Party Billing Benefits (EDALAJAJ)

Keywords

• Veterans services
• VA claims assistance
• Veteran advocacy
• Membership organization
• Nonprofit veterans support

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from over 1.3 million VFW and Auxiliary members. The organization operates as an independent nonprofit with no federal financial support, relying primarily on membership fees and donations.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, monthly giving programs, planned giving, and vehicle donations. Over the last decade, 72% of each dollar of support was applied directly to veterans service, community service, legislative advocacy and military service programs.
3. VFW Store: Online merchandise sales including wall calendars, Christmas cards, greeting cards, and other items. Also accepts advertising in VFW Magazine.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorships and partnerships with companies including USAA, Humana, Sport Clips, and others for specific programs like Day of Service and Help A Hero Scholarship.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

VFW is a congressionally chartered nonprofit veterans service organization that provides free accredited VA claims assistance through more than 2,200 service representatives, helping veterans recover billions in earned benefits annually. It also delivers financial grants, education scholarships, mental wellness support, troop support, youth programs, and legislative advocacy on behalf of its 1.3 million members, operating through a nationwide network of local Posts and digital platforms.

Product overview

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is a veterans service organization offering a comprehensive suite of programs and services to support military veterans, service members, and their families. The organization operates primarily through its National Veterans Service (NVS) Program, which provides free accredited claims assistance to help veterans obtain VA benefits. Key offerings include the Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship for education, financial grants, mental wellness support, and assistance with VA claims and separation benefits. VFW also maintains a digital membership platform (OMS) and operates community programs including Combat Tested Gaming, the Still Serving campaign, and annual Day of Service initiatives. The organization publishes VFW Magazine and a podcast as part of its outreach and advocacy efforts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VFW National Veterans Service (NVS): Program providing no-cost accredited claims assistance to military and veteran families for VA benefits
• Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship
• VFW Day of Service
• Still Serving
• Uniting for Veterans
• VFW Combat Tested Gaming
• Buddy Poppy

Products and services

• National Veterans Service (NVS) Program / VA Claims Assistance VFW's flagship service providing no-cost accredited VA claims assistance through more than 2,200 accredited service representatives, helping veterans file claims, appeal disability ratings, and recover earned VA benefits and compensation.
• Financial Grants Program Emergency financial assistance program providing millions of dollars in financial aid annually to military families in need.
• Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship Scholarship program administered by VFW to support military service members and veterans pursuing higher education, with over $16 million in scholarships distributed since 2013.
• Student Veteran Support
• Mental Wellness Campaign
• VFW Magazine
• Troop Support Program
• Youth & Education Programs
• Uniting for Veterans Program Program addressing food insecurity and veteran homelessness in communities nationwide, empowering VFW members to take local action that contributes to broader national change.

Quantifiable outcome

• $9 billion in VA claims recovered for veterans annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Batteries PluscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 June 2026Batteries Plus launched the 'Power with Purpose' initiative in partnership with VFW to honor veterans during America's 250th anniversary celebration, making a donation to the VFW National Veterans Service Program that provides no-cost accredited claims assistance to military and veteran families.
• LUXPROminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 June 2026Partnering with Batteries Plus and VFW for the Power with Purpose initiative, offering customers $5 off patriotic flashlights, headlamps, string lights, and mosquito lanterns through July 4, with proceeds supporting VFW programs.
• Webster First Federal Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 June 2026Webster First served as premiere sponsor for the annual Independence Day fireworks display hosted by VFW Post 654, bridging funding gap to ensure community tradition continued.
• HumanacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 May 2026Humana partnered with VFW for the 2026 National Day of Service, bringing together employees, veteran advocates and community partners in Nashville, San Antonio, and Tampa to support veterans experiencing homelessness, preparing 4,000 essential care kits.
• CenterWellcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 May 2026In partnership with VFW and Humana, CenterWell hosted Day of Service events at Senior Primary Care and Conviva Senior Primary Care centers, supporting veterans and seniors in need.
• USAAcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 May 2026USAA partnered with VFW, Humana, and CenterWell for the 2026 National Day of Service to support veterans experiencing homelessness through volunteer service projects.
• Volunteers of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2026New partnership with Volunteers of America for the 2026 Day of Service, aligning service efforts with real-time community needs and reaching veterans and seniors most at risk, with plans to engage local markets nationwide.
• Sport Clips HaircutscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 January 2026Sport Clips' Help A Hero Scholarship Campaign has raised $1.22 million in 2025 and over $16 million total since 2013, with funds administered by VFW to provide education and career training for transitioning service members.
• loanDepotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2026 VFW Day of Service alongside Humana, USAA, and CenterWell.
• USAA (Affinity Partner)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerUSAA affinity partnership displayed on VFW website homepage, offering financial services to VFW members.
• Society of Saint AndrewminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVirginia-based nonprofit providing hunger relief across the U.S. partnered with VFW for seed-sorting events at national conventions, yielding 63,511 pounds of produce for communities in need.
• IFA VetFranminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrior partnership with IFA VetFran supporting franchise ownership opportunities for veterans.
• Arbor Day FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBatteries Plus has previously supported tree planting with the Arbor Day Foundation as part of their broader charitable platform.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Wounded Warrior Project: Wounded Warrior Project focuses on post-9/11 wounded veterans with mental health, physical康复, and career programs. It overlaps with VFW on benefits navigation and mental wellness but competes for a younger donor and member demographic.
• Team Rubicon: Team Rubicon is a veteran-led disaster response nonprofit that overlaps with VFW's Still Serving and Day of Service initiatives, competing for the same volunteer-driven, post-9/11 veteran identity and corporate partner attention.
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): IAVA is a post-9/11 veterans advocacy organization competing with VFW on legislative priorities and younger-veteran engagement, with a stronger policy and digital advocacy orientation and smaller Post footprint.
• Student Veterans of America (SVA): SVA directly overlaps with VFW's Student Veteran Support and Help A Hero Scholarship programs, competing for the same transitioning-service-member education pipeline through campus-based chapters rather than VFW Posts.

Direct peers

• AMVETS (American Veterans): AMVETS is a congressionally chartered veterans service organization with membership, Post network, and legislative advocacy, competing head-to-head with VFW for dues-paying members and corporate sponsorships across overlapping program areas.
• The American Legion: The American Legion is the closest peer to VFW: a congressionally chartered, dues-funded veterans service organization with a national Post network, accredited service officers, and legislative advocacy. Both compete for the same transitioning-service-member pipeline and run parallel scholarship and benefits programs.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): DAV is a direct peer focused on VA claims assistance and benefits advocacy for service-disabled veterans. Like VFW, it provides free accredited representation, but its membership is narrower (disabled veterans only) and it is also congressionally chartered.
• Military Order of the Purple Heart: Military Order of the Purple Heart is a congressionally chartered veterans service organization providing VA claims assistance and advocacy specifically for Purple Heart recipients, overlapping with VFW's claims-officer offering and benefits-advocacy role.
• Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): VVA is a congressionally chartered veterans organization offering VA claims help, benefits advocacy, and community programs, competing with VFW for members and donations, though focused specifically on Vietnam-era veterans.

Broad incumbents

• USO (United Service Organizations): USO is a large, established nonprofit serving active-duty service members and their families with morale, wellness, and transition programs. It complements rather than directly competes with VFW, but draws on overlapping corporate sponsorship pools (USAA, Humana, etc.).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vfwhq
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/vfwhq
• Facebookfacebook.com/VFWFans
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vfwhq
• Instagraminstagram.com/vfwhq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Veterans of Foreign Wars