About Us

The Wisconsin Veterans Foundation, Inc. was developed by veterans for veterans, their survivors having difficulty transitioning from military service or the loss of their spouse. 

The founding veterans were seeing fellow veterans from the Vietnam Era and beyond falling through cracks i.e., unable to pay for daily or monthly necessities while awaiting VA services and benefits; having difficulty getting or maintaining employment; living in their cars, the street or a shelter; others were dealing with their circumstances with drugs, alcohol, and other substances.  The founding veterans, working with specialists, discovered divorce, suicide, substance abuse, and both psychological and medical issues were significant higher than their non-veteran cohorts. 

In an effort to address some of the needs the Foundation looked at what they could do immediately, specifically acute financial assistance for Wisconsin veterans, educating health professionals on the issues of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and ensuring programs and services addressing employment had elements aimed at the veteran population.

Today, the Foundation has maintained the founders' objectives with acute financial assistance as the cornerstone service for Wisconsin veterans, but done in concert with the County or Tribal Veteran Service Officers (CVSO or TVSO) or a recognized Service Officer from a Veteran Service Organization such as the American Legion, Purple Heart Organization, Veterans of Foreign Wars, etc.  Providing transitional, career and developmental education and employment services was also high on the Foundation's list.  This includes efforts to provide networks for veterans, their families, and survivors including access to and integrating new technologies in the Foundation's  offerings.

The Foundation was designed for veterans regardless of their service or time of service.  The Foundation has long recognized the how the needs and demands have changed and grown for the veteran, his or her family and surviving spouses.  Often for a small Foundation the needs far exceed our capabilities, therefore we continue to seek out VSOs work addressing  similar needs to ensure the physical, social, and emotional needs of Wisconsin veterans are met.  

To continue meeting the needs of the Veteran family, the Wisconsin Veterans Foundation Board   seek veterans, professionals, and others interested, concerned and committed to addressing veterans issues.  

If you are interested in working with the Foundation in solving veteran issues or volunteering your time on one of projects let us know.

Use the CONTACT BOARD form below.

"Over 20 years ago when a small group of Veterans and those concerned about Veterans'  issues, started the Wisconsin Veterans Foundation, Inc.  Our primary mission was to assist Wisconsin Veterans awaiting services and benefits from the VA.

"Today,  we continue to provide financial assistance and have added career  education, employment assistance, and coordinated activities with other  critical Veteran services. 

"Without outside financial support we could not assist veterans."

John L. Margowski, President 

"Assisting Veterans resolve issues effecting their lives and the lives' of their family has been  educational and inspirational. 

"In  the more than 10 years I have been with the Foundation, the organization has  assisted Veterans on the verge of eviction, in need of transportation to maintain employment,  getting non-traditional training leading to employment, developed and delivered training on Veterans issues to Veterans, professional providers and business leaders.

"This Foundation has quietly assisted each Veteran successfully and with dignity.

"And as our Foundation President has said, 'Without outside support we could not assist veterans."

James Mullarkey, Secretary

"It has been my pleasure to server as Treasurer for the Wisconsin Veterans Foundation (WVF). 

"The Wisconsin Veterans Foundation from its inception has been diligent,  resourceful and persistent in its goal of helping Wisconsin Veterans who need temporary financial assistance, other personal needs and/or  services.

"Personally gratifying, my involvement with Foundation invokes memories of my Army service as an infantry rifleman in Vietnam, helping  other members of my unit by giving backup and support when needed.  Although working with the WVF may not be as intense or adrenaline  provoking as my service in Vietnam, it does, in a smaller way, give me a  sense of satisfaction when helping veterans.

"I take personal  satisfaction that the WVF works with extremely low overhead costs;  meaning more resource for meeting the goals and purpose of the WVF."

Patrick J. Craney, Treasurer

Peter Schuler

If you believe you can offer a few hours a month to assist veterans WE NEED YOU!

Check-out our Director Description and note you needn't be a veteran.

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