Overwatch Alliance supports military charities healing our nation’s heroes, and if you are one of the many thousands of those organizations, we salute you! THANK YOU for all that you do for those who have sacrificed so much for all of us. We know that many of you are giving your time and your precious resources selflessly and want to do more, but just don’t have enough time or money.

Is Our Organization Eligible?

Overwatch Alliance awards grants to non-profit organizations with Total Annual Revenues of $500,000 or LESS who provide services to active military, veterans and their families.  Organizations with Total Annual Revenues in excess of $500,000 will not be considered.

Only non-profit organizations designated as tax-exempt by the Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)(3), and are not considered a private foundation as described in Section 509(a) are eligible.

Requests for capital projects and general operating support are eligible for consideration. An organization should be able to demonstrate a broad base of financial support for a capital project from its own community and constituency prior to asking for support from the Alliance. Requests for start-up projects that are shown to address important, unmet veteran and military community needs may be considered.

Are There Programs/Projects We Should Not Request Funding For?

  • individuals (except through institutions that meet the eligibility criteria above)

  • newsletters, magazines and other publications/periodicals

  • churches and religious organizations

  • tickets to charitable events/dinners, or sponsorships for such events/dinners

  • special events, productions, telethons, performances or other fundraising or advertising activities

  • legislative lobbying or other political purposes

  • the retirement of accumulated debt

  • capital projects for colleges, universities or other educational institutions

  • multi-year grants for operating funds

How Much Can We Apply For?

The Foundation accepts applications for awards of up to $15,000 from small community-based organizations who can demonstrate that they are making a significant and lasting impact on the lives and communities of military members, veterans and their families. Some examples might be:

  • providing emergency financial assistance for housing, auto repairs, food, clothing, medical bills or keeping utilities active

  • transitional housing programs for homeless veterans

  • employment assistance for transitioning military

  • recreational or rehabilitative programs for wounded warriors

  • retreats for military spouses or families

  • enrichment programs for military dependent children

  • support programs for military families

What Are The Requirements?

Every request for funding must contain the following:

  • Completed Application for Assistance - Click here to download the pdf form. The application is NOT uploadable. The application must be downloaded, completed, dated and signed, and either mailed to us at: Overwatch Alliance, 1000 NorthChase Drive, Suite 220, Goodlettsville, TN 37072 or emailed to us at: [email protected]. Please note: INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

  • Cover letter on your organization’s letterhead with a brief history and statement of purpose of your organization, as well as a brief outline of the nature and scope of programs and services provided. The letter should also include some information on projected intermediate and long-term outcomes surrounding your project or program.

  • A Board of Director’s roster, and whether they have contributed to the organization.

  • A copy of your organization’s Internal Revenue Service Determination Letter, as well as an Affirmation Letter, signed by an officer of your organization, stating that the IRS determination letter has not been revoked.

  • A copy of your current operating budget and financial statements, including the salaries of key personnel.

  • A copy of your most recent financial audit and IRS Form 990 including all attachments. If your organization has not had an audit, please provide a copy of the most recent full year’s Income & Expense Statement. NOTE: If your organization has been in existence for less than two years, a detailed business plan with a proposed budget will be required.

  • A brief (less than 1,000 words) description of the request, including who you wish to help and explaining the project/program and its current needs. Applicants need to demonstrate that their program/project will address the root causes of the specific program, and lead to sustained improvement in (or have a positive impact on) the lives of veterans, military members and their families.

  • A description of your organization’s overall mission and services with an explanation of how this project or program fits that mission. Please communicate clearly how community needs cannot be met by other non-profit organizations and why your organization is uniquely qualified to get the job done. A clear statement of expected results should be included, and how the efficiency, quality and effectiveness of the project/program will be evaluated.

  • A description of your fundraising goal and the current status of fundraising for this project.

  • A detailed budget for the request, including a list of all funding commitments received for this project.

How Is Our Application Processed?

Once the application is received in our office, the person named as “Primary Contact” will be notified via email and informed if any other information is needed. Once complete, all application packages are subject to a review process that may include, but may not be limited to, an initial interview (either in person or via telephone) with members of the management staff and/or Alliance Board of Directors. All requests for assistance must go through the formal process in order to be considered.

The Alliance is on a fiscal year, which begins on April 1st of each year and ends on March 31st of the following year. The Alliance Board of Directors meet twice a year (generally in February and in September) to review all grant packages for the first and second six months of the fiscal year.  The deadlines for grant application submissions are December 31st and July 31st of each year.  Any grant requests received after the deadlines will be held over until the next grant review cycle.  Once a decision on a request has been made, applicants will be notified in writing as to whether the request is approved or declined. Because funding is limited, not all requests will be approved. Only one grant application per organization per fiscal year will be considered.

Authority for Approvals

The Alliance's Board of Directors will meet twice yearly to satisfy its responsibilities in approving grants for nonprofit organizations. The Alliance's Board of Directors has ultimate discretion in all matters concerning the Alliance, and may give final approval for any grants that are funded outside of these guidelines depending on circumstances. Because all requests must go through management, direct contact with the Board of Directors is not necessary.

Funding Follow-Up and Evaluation

Upon receipt of the funds and completion of the project, grant recipient organizations must submit a final progress report (generally at the end of the 12 month period following the grant award) to the Alliance outlining the progress made towards accomplishing the project’s goals. The report must include all supporting financial statements detailing how the funds were spent. This final progress report must be received and final evaluations completed by the Alliance in order for requests for subsequent grant applications to be considered.

All funds given to applicants must be used for the purpose for which they were approved. Funds that are not used for the approved purpose must be returned to the Alliance, unless approval has been given for another purpose. Without this approval, subsequent requests for funds from that applicant will not be considered.

Acknowledgements and Press Releases

All organizations receiving funding are required to acknowledge the award on their social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.), and the award should be included in any press releases made by the organization.  Wording for the social media acknowledgments may be provided by Overwatch Alliance.  Overwatch Alliance also appreciates being included in a list of the organization’s supporters.

Questions?

Schren Head, Secretary & Grants Administrator – 800-251-8434 or [email protected]

“Dear Overwatch Alliance: Please accept our most heartfelt thanks for making our June Recreational Therapy session for OIF/OEF disabled veterans such an amazing experience. We could not offer these programs without your generosity. You have our deepest gratitude and appreciation.”
– Sandra Bockman, Founder and the volunteers & participants of Honoring our Veterans