DAV Magazine — November/December 2016
Columbia Trust
Veterans serving veterans through dedicated funds
DAV is rooted in the idea of veterans helping veterans, not only on a one-to-one basis, but also as an organization. For example, when chapter and department leaders find they have excess funds, they are able to contribute to the DAV National Service Foundation’s Columbia Trust—a common trust that enables other chapters and departments in need to support veterans service programs within their own local areas.
That idea became the DAV National Service Foundation’s Columbia Trust, which has since expanded to ensure DAV’s services and special programs are available nationwide.
“The Columbia Trust is about creative generosity and providing the means to help others,” said DAV National Adjutant Marc Burgess. “It targets our funds where the need is greatest—to support the services DAV chapters and departments provide for disabled veterans and their families.”
Chapters and departments are encouraged to apply for grants for service projects that will fulfill the unmet needs of local ill and injured veterans.
In 2015, the Trust provided more than $1.3 million to DAV chapters and departments to support projects and programs in four main areas of service: the Transportation Network, Hospital Service Coordinators, Department Service Officers and Homeless Veterans programs. It also supports various other state and local service initiatives.
What makes the Trust unique is that its funds are limited for use only in support of veterans and their families at the state and local levels.
Applications are reviewed by members of an advisory committee that includes one member from each of DAV’s national districts, providing equal representation in deciding how to employ the Trust’s funds. The committee reviews grant requests and provides specific spending recommendations. The National Service Foundation’s board of directors then decides to affirm, reject or modify the advisory committee’s recommendations.
“The Columbia Trust allows veterans across the nation the ability to support each other through collective means,” said National Service Foundation President Arthur H. Wilson. “It’s a way to share the wealth, so to speak, and to sustain meaningful programs that have a critical impact on veterans and their families.”
A chapter or department does not receive a grant when it is consistently able to meet the costs of its budgeted service programs. These chapters or departments are encouraged to participate in the Trust by making a contribution, ensuring funds are available when they are most needed by other chapters and departments.
“The DAV national organization matches each dollar that every person, chapter or department donates to the foundation’s Columbia Trust fund,” added Wilson. “This effectively doubles the value of the gifts.”
Learn More Online
More information about the Trust, a grant application and steps to contribute are available online at nsf.dav.org/trust.
DAV is rooted in the idea of veterans helping veterans, not only on a one-to-one basis, but also as an organization. For example, when chapter and department leaders find they have excess funds, they are able to contribute to the DAV National Service Foundation’s Columbia Trust—a common trust that enables other chapters and departments in need to support veterans service programs within their own local areas.
That idea became the DAV National Service Foundation’s Columbia Trust, which has since expanded to ensure DAV’s services and special programs are available nationwide.
“The Columbia Trust is about creative generosity and providing the means to help others,” said DAV National Adjutant Marc Burgess. “It targets our funds where the need is greatest—to support the services DAV chapters and departments provide for disabled veterans and their families.”
Chapters and departments are encouraged to apply for grants for service projects that will fulfill the unmet needs of local ill and injured veterans.
In 2015, the Trust provided more than $1.3 million to DAV chapters and departments to support projects and programs in four main areas of service: the Transportation Network, Hospital Service Coordinators, Department Service Officers and Homeless Veterans programs. It also supports various other state and local service initiatives.
What makes the Trust unique is that its funds are limited for use only in support of veterans and their families at the state and local levels.
Applications are reviewed by members of an advisory committee that includes one member from each of DAV’s national districts, providing equal representation in deciding how to employ the Trust’s funds. The committee reviews grant requests and provides specific spending recommendations. The National Service Foundation’s board of directors then decides to affirm, reject or modify the advisory committee’s recommendations.
“The Columbia Trust allows veterans across the nation the ability to support each other through collective means,” said National Service Foundation President Arthur H. Wilson. “It’s a way to share the wealth, so to speak, and to sustain meaningful programs that have a critical impact on veterans and their families.”
A chapter or department does not receive a grant when it is consistently able to meet the costs of its budgeted service programs. These chapters or departments are encouraged to participate in the Trust by making a contribution, ensuring funds are available when they are most needed by other chapters and departments.
“The DAV national organization matches each dollar that every person, chapter or department donates to the foundation’s Columbia Trust fund,” added Wilson. “This effectively doubles the value of the gifts.”
Learn More Online
More information about the Trust, a grant application and steps to contribute are available online at nsf.dav.org/trust.
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