Mission

The Wisconsin Veterans Foundation, Inc., a 501c3 charitable organization, was initially started by Wisconsin veterans for Wisconsin veterans, their families and their survivors who were in financial need while awaiting benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).  Twenty-five years later the need still exists with veterans, their families and their survivors in placed in dire straights awaiting benefits for extended periods of time.  The financial strain during this waiting period is difficult to believe - placing even greater burdens on the veterans, their families and survivors.  And in cases where there is an initial denial the burdens increase exponentially to include, but not limited to housing, food, clothing, transportation, and so much more.

Since the Foundation's inception the mission has remained the same - identify and address veterans, their families and survivors needs.  However, like other modest Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) we often coordinate with established and much larger veteran-centric organizations or VSOs to address the need.  In fact, the Foundation is often referred to as the financial service of last resort.  While true, the Foundation's goal wants to make sure the veteran, their family, and their survivor is linked to the organization(s) and service provider(s) who can provide the necessary service or link the veteran, their family, or veteran survivor to larger more substantive provider(s).

The Wisconsin Veterans Foundation has long recognized the many Federal, State, County, City, VSOs, and community-based organizations that address veterans issues, especially in a time of need.  The Foundation often reaches out to share our Foundation's abilities and learn how we can work together to meet veterans' needs.  Thus, the Foundation's first challenge is to coordinate with the established programs and ensure the veteran is linked to these services and programs first.  This coordination allows the Foundation to link with the other program providers on the front-end or the back-end to best meet the veteran's immediate acute financials needs as well as long-term assistance in other areas.

In Wisconsin the Foundation wants all veterans to be connected with their County or Tribal Veteran Service Officer (CVSO or TVSO) or VSO service officer.  This person is trained, knowledgeable and certified in Federal, State, County, and many city and community programs available to veterans, their families, and veteran survivors.  Moreover, the CVSO or TVSO or SO is often connected to the many more commonly known VSOs in the area (e.g., American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars - VFW, etc.) as well as the lesser know local or community programs for veterans.  Additionally, CVSOs, TVSOs, and VSO SOs often have the latest information on employment training programs and educational opportunities offered by a group(s) or scholarship program offering private specialized training, post-secondary education, and more.

Those outside of Wisconsin who reach out to the Foundation are directed to our Financial Assistance page where their are links to National organizations and VSOs across the country who may have the service or leads to services and benefits to meet the veteran's needs.

The Foundation's Mission stems from the following:

Vision: Provide veterans with assistance to successfully transition from

              military service to civilian society.

Mission: To rapidly assist veterans, their families, and survivors to obtain

                 needed benefits and services.

Goals:

1. Provide acute financial assistance to Wisconsin veterans, their families, and survivors.
2. Assist veterans in the re-employment process - lifestyle adjustment, career planning, employment, and education.
3. Address veteran issues (e.g., business start-up, PTS, health issues, MST, and more) using  the latest and most effective tools (e.g., podcasts, video teleconferencing (VTC), webinars, computer linkages, and more). 

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