For the last 25 years, the VFW Foundation has worked alongside VFW programs to help provide America's service members, veterans and their families with the assistance and support they need and deserve.
As the VFW's official 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we have worked tirelessly to help close the gaps government benefits and support programs leave for our service members.
With decades of combined years of VFW experience, the staff of the VFW Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the needs of America's service members, veterans and their families are met today, and well into the future.
Brian Walker, Interim Executive Director
Brian Walker was appointed Assistant Adjutant General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States on Sept. 1, 2022. He is currently interim executive director for the VFW Foundation.
Brian served in the United States Air Force from 2003 to 2015, earning his VFW eligibility by serving in support of the Global War on Terrorism. In recognition of his service, he received the Air Force Expeditionary Ribbon with gold border.
He joined the VFW in 2010 at Post 4313 in Cordova, Tennessee, and is a member of Post 5066 in Collierville, Tennessee, where he maintains his Gold Legacy Life membership. He has served in elected and appointed positions at the Post, District and Department levels, culminating with his election as the Department of Tennessee Commander in 2021, in which he achieved All-American Commander status. On the national level, he currently serves on the Council of Administration, and has served on the General Resolutions Committee and as National Aide-de-Camp.
Brian received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022 in Public Relations, with honors, from the University of Memphis.
bwalker@vfw.org
816.968.1101
Richard Freiburghouse, Director of Donor Relations
Richard Freiburghouse has been a nonprofit management professional for over 30 years, serving in almost every capacity imaginable from grant procurement to planned giving. His position with a large urban school district initially led to consulting work developing innovative 501(c)(3) educational foundations across the U.S.
He has been a constant at the VFW Foundation since 2005. In his current capacity, Richard has a variety of duties that include advising Posts on fundraising, specifically pass-through donations and technical charitable issues; assisting with major gift donors; overseeing the vehicle donation and employee federal/state giving programs.
Richard has a Bachelor of Arts degree in both industrial relations and political science from Rockhurst University (Summa Cum Laude). He is a Certified Grants Administrator via coursework at Research Associates with continuing education credit through the University of South Carolina – Columbia.
Among other diverse experience, Richard is a past member of the Kansas City Metro Safe Cities Youth Violence Prevention Committee. In 2015, he was a special consultant to the U.S. State Department assisting the nation of Kazakhstan on the development of its fledgling veteran charities.
With his wife Claudia, Richard enjoys restoring their 1923 Dutch Colonial home (an ongoing endeavor) in the historic Loose Park area of Kansas City. He is also a sports blogger, podcaster and the co-developer of the cult classic “Hughie Jennings EE-YAH! Baseball Game.”
rfreiburghouse@vfw.org
816.968.1124
Renee Martin, Donation Specialist
Meet Renee Martin, our dedicated donation specialist at the VFW Foundation. With over eight years of experience at the VFW and 15 years of total experience in the industry, Renee has gained an extensive amount of knowledge and expertise. A native of Kansas City, she holds a Bachelor of Science in technical management from DeVry University.
Renee has a true passion for the nonprofit sector and discovered her dedication while working for another membership-based organization. She deeply values our veterans and is committed to helping those in need. Renee is honored to be a chaperone for the annual Voice of Democracy winners trip to Washington, D.C.
When she is not working, Renee enjoys spending quality time with her family and her beloved corgi, Roxy. She also loves crafting and playing her guitar.
rmartin@vfw.org
816.968.2784
Rebecca Curtis, Senior Program Coordinator
Becky Curtis joined the VFW Foundation in September 1999. When she began with the Foundation, she and the director were the only two employees, and feels she has grown along with the Foundation as it has become a strong asset to the VFW.
Becky’s responsibilities have continued to change over her years of tenure as the Foundation staff has grown from two to its current staff of seven. At present, her responsibilities include preparing applications for submission to the Combined Federal Campaign and numerous Independent Charities of America’s state campaigns. She collaborates with the director of Donor Relations to ensure all requirements are met to best secure admittance to these campaigns. She works with the executive director and the Board of Directors to prepare materials and assists with coordinating the logistics for board meetings and other meetings. Becky tends to various administrative duties and assists the Foundation staff as needed working with the grants manager, donation specialist and VFW accounting department to prepare and ensure the timely disbursement of grants, restricted gifts, and payment of invoices.
Becky is a gardening enthusiast who maintains an indoor jungle during the winter months. She enjoys cycling with her husband and grandkids and spending time with their family. With their children now grown, Becky dotes on her four adorable fur babies who she loves to talk about nearly as much as her beautiful grandchildren.
rcurtis@vfw.org
816.968.1128
Anthony "Tony" Lowe, VFW Foundation Consultant
Meet Anthony "Tony" Lowe, a dedicated professional with a rich background in both military service and non-profit leadership. Tony embarked on his journey with the VFW Foundation in June 2023 as a contracted consultant, drawing from a wealth of experience gained during his extensive 29-year tenure in the United States Air Force. His commitment to the betterment of veterans' lives has been unwavering, transitioning seamlessly into his role as a tireless advocate after retiring from the Air Force in 2016.
Tony's nonprofit journey also began in 2016, where he flourished as an executive director and operations manager, making significant strides in the sector. This path led him to the VFW Washington Office, where he embraced various full-time roles, ultimately ascending to the position of chief of staff & director of operations. In his current capacity, Tony serves as the Commander of the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee VFW Post 341 in Washington, D.C., passionately championing the rights and welfare of veterans and their families.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Tony is an enthusiastic (though self-proclaimed not particularly gifted) golfer, often found navigating the woods in search of his errant shots. His dedication to veterans, coupled with his sense of humor and commitment to continuous improvement, make him a true asset to the VFW Foundation team. For inquiries or connections, reach out to Tony directly.
tonylowe.consultant@vfw.org
202.210.4599