Veterans of Foreign Wars
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1899
- HeadquartersKansas City, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
Veterans of Foreign Wars firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Veterans of Foreign Wars industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Veterans of Foreign Wars is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kansas City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Veterans of Foreign Wars business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- VFW Store: Online merchandise sales including wall calendars, Christmas cards, greeting cards, and other items. Also accepts advertising in VFW Magazine.
- 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
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | VFW Magazine subscription for non-members |
| Other | Monthly | Donor support programs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels12 records
Veterans of Foreign Wars product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Veterans of Foreign Wars
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Veterans of Foreign Wars technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Veterans of Foreign Wars partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Batteries PluscoreBatteries 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.
- LUXPROminorPartnering 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 UnionminorWebster 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.
- HumanacoreHumana 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.
- CenterWellcoreIn 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.
- USAAcoreUSAA partnered with VFW, Humana, and CenterWell for the 2026 National Day of Service to support veterans experiencing homelessness through volunteer service projects.
- Volunteers of AmericacoreNew 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 HaircutscoreSport 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.
- loanDepotminorSponsor of the 2026 VFW Day of Service alongside Humana, USAA, and CenterWell.
- USAA (Affinity Partner)coreUSAA affinity partnership displayed on VFW website homepage, offering financial services to VFW members.
- Society of Saint AndrewminorVirginia-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 VetFranminorPrior partnership with IFA VetFran supporting franchise ownership opportunities for veterans.
- Arbor Day FoundationminorBatteries 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
Veterans of Foreign Wars competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging 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
Veterans of Foreign Wars social profiles
Digital presenceVeterans of Foreign Wars financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Veterans of Foreign Wars leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Veterans of Foreign Wars subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Veterans of Foreign Wars funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Veterans of Foreign Wars M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Veterans of Foreign Wars
What does Veterans of Foreign Wars do?
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.
Is Veterans of Foreign Wars a public or private company?
Veterans of Foreign Wars is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Veterans of Foreign Wars founded?
Veterans of Foreign Wars was founded in 1899. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Veterans of Foreign Wars based?
Veterans of Foreign Wars is headquartered in Kansas City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Veterans of Foreign Wars make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising, VFW Store and corporate Partnerships.
Who are Veterans of Foreign Wars's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Wounded Warrior Project, Team Rubicon, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and Student Veterans of America (SVA). Direct peers are AMVETS (American Veterans), The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Military Order of the Purple Heart and Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). USO (United Service Organizations) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Veterans of Foreign Wars have an API?
No public API is recorded for Veterans of Foreign Wars.
What industry is Veterans of Foreign Wars in?
Veterans of Foreign Wars's product category is Veterans Services and Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAKAI, Veterans & Military Family Benefits Administration, with a secondary code of EDALAJAJ, Veterans, Military & Employer/Third-Party Billing Benefits. Its NAICS code is 8139.