Announcement of Stand Down Grants
🏛 Veterans Employment and Training Service
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations hosting Stand Down events that assist veterans experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. Eligible applicants include state and local government agencies, nonprofits, for-profits, workforce boards, higher education institutions, tribal governments, and housing authorities. Faith-based organizations may apply and will not face discrimination based on religious character. Organizations must have federal funding available and can receive $7,000 (one-day events) or $10,000 (multi-day events), or up to $50,000 in federally declared disaster areas. 501(c)(4) organizations are ineligible.
Events must be collaborative efforts coordinated between VA, DOL, and community-based organizations providing employment, social, and health services to veterans.
Program description
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) supports local Stand Down events that assist veterans experiencing homelessness by providing a wide range of employment, social, and health services.
Stand Down is a military term referring to an opportunity to achieve a brief respite from combat. Troops assemble in a base camp to receive new clothing, hot food, support services, and a relative degree of safety before returning to combat action. A DOL VETS-funded Stand Down event serves a similar purpose; however, it is intended for veterans experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. The critical services provided at these events are often the catalyst that enables those individuals to reenter the workforce.
VETS awards these noncompetitive grants on a first-come, first-served basis to support one-day or multi-day events at up to $7,000 or $10,000, respectively. They are collaborative events coordinated between VA, DOL, other federal, state, and local government agencies and community-based organizations providing services and supplies to veterans experiencing and at risk of homelessness. In the event of a federal disaster declaration, VETS will accept applications up to $50,000 to conduct Stand Down events in the impacted areas.
VETS awards Stand Down grants subject to the availability of federal funding. All costs incurred by the award recipient prior to the period of performance start date identified in the Notice of Award issued by the Department are incurred at the recipient’s own expense.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application form (specific form determined by VETS)
- Event description and logistics
- Partner organization letters of commitment
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational documentation (501(c)(3) status if applicable)
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 17.805 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$18,497,506
-
$5,223,700
-
$4,797,150
-
$3,611,001
-
$3,303,821
-
$3,130,255
-
$2,727,853
-
$2,702,639
-
$2,024,278
-
$1,720,261
Top States by Funding
- CA 21 awards $46.0M
- TX 12 awards $16.8M
- NY 7 awards $9.5M
- MD 6 awards $8.7M
- MN 4 awards $8.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 17.805). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $62,065,286 | |
| 2025 | $65,478,152 | |
| 2026 est. | $65,500,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for Stand Down grants?
State and local government agencies, nonprofits, for-profits, workforce boards, higher education institutions, tribal governments, and housing authorities. Faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply. 501(c)(4) organizations cannot apply.
How much can I receive?
One-day events receive up to $7,000; multi-day events receive up to $10,000. During federal disaster declarations, grants can reach $50,000 for impacted areas.
What types of services should the Stand Down event provide?
Events should offer employment services, social services, and health services to veterans. Services work best when coordinated with VA, DOL, government agencies, and community organizations.
How are grants awarded?
VETS awards grants on a first-come, first-served basis. Awards depend on federal funding availability, so earlier applications have better chances of funding.
Can multiple organizations collaborate on one event?
Yes, events are designed to be collaborative efforts between multiple agencies and community-based organizations working together.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Partner with VA, DOL, and local agencies early. Collaboration strengthens applications and service delivery.
- Clearly describe the event format (one-day or multi-day) and expected number of veteran participants.
- Detail the specific employment, social, and health services your partners will provide at the Stand Down event.
- Submit applications early since awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
- If applying during a federal disaster declaration, document the declared area and explain how your Stand Down addresses immediate needs.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without confirmed partnerships with VA, DOL, and local service providers. Not clearly describing event logistics and the mix of employment, social, and health services. Submitting applications late when funding may already be exhausted on a first-come basis.
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