The Home Depot has started accepting applications for its 2019 Community Impact Grant. VFW members can receive up to $5,000 to fund repairs or construction projects at their Post building.
While there are no guarantees to being funded, several VFW Posts have been awarded this grant in the past.
Applications are only accepted through Home Depot’s online form. Telephone calls, emails or written submissions sent to Home Depot will NOT be accepted, nor will you be able to turn this application in at your local Home Depot store.
New this year, Home Depot now requires a project budget that must be submitted as a Microsoft Excel file. This new requirement is covered in-depth in the guide.
Pay close attention to the Tax ID Instructions. You will use the Employee Identification Number (EIN) of your Post and upload the Post’s 501(c)(19) IRS determination letter at the end of the application. If you cannot locate the Post’s 501(c)(19) letter, follow the instructions below under “Lost IRS Determination Letter” on how to request a copy from the IRS.
In previous years, The Home Depot Foundation has accepted the first page of the Post’s most recently filed IRS Form 990 tax document in lieu of the IRS determination letter. It is still a good idea to have a copy of your IRS letter, you may need to apply for other possible grants, but using your 990 should allow you to complete the application immediately.
If you receive funding it will come in the form of Home Depot gift cards that can be used to buy materials at your local HD store. You will need to recruit Post members and/or other community volunteers as the use of paid contractors to complete your project is not permitted. The project must be completed within six months. You will also be required to submit a final report. You must be willing to include stories and before-and-after photos of the project. Failure to do so will negatively impact your Post’s ability to receive any future funding from The Home Depot Foundation.
After submitting the application, you should receive an email response after six weeks. The grant is scheduled to be open through Dec. 31, 2019.
Should you have any questions and or concerns, please contact Jason Couch, VFW Foundation Grants Coordinator, directly at 816.968.1174 or jcouch@vfw.org.
Please note: The VFW Foundation has created a Home Depot Guide to assist VFW Posts in applying for the 2019 grant. Carefully read the instructions before attempting to complete the application. We have tried to make the instructions as simple as possible using screen captures and by providing thorough descriptions of how to complete each field. Deviation from this guide could result in the applicant being unable to submit their request. Posts can also download the Home Depot Budget Example to use as a template to complete their own project budgets.
Lost IRS Determination Letter?
If you have misplaced your IRS determination letter, a new copy can be obtained. Most Posts fall under the “Group exemption” of their Department, meaning their Department’s IRS determination letter is also theirs. However, each Post has its own unique Employee Identification Number or (EIN). Your Department leadership should know if you fall under a group exemption. You may also call IRS Customer Service for nonprofit organizations at 1.877.829.5500. They should be able to provide you with a new copy of the letter, but often times will refer you to your Department, which is why I recommend you start your department.
If the IRS representative is unable to furnish you with a new copy of your letter, you can make a written request by filling out a Form 4506-A, “Request for Public Inspection or Copy of Exempt or Political Organization IRS Form,” which can be downloaded at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506a.pdf.
The request can be faxed to the IRS at 513.263.4330 or 513.263.3434, or your request can be mailed to IRS, Room 4024, POB 2508, Cincinnati, OH 45201. Keep in mind that it may take up to 60 days (or more) to fill your request.