Veterans Program Trust Fund

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​To submit your application, send to KDVA.PIO@KY.GOV​

The next meeting for applicants to submit for is in March 20, 2024, with a deadline of February 20, 2024 for submissions. 


What is the VPTF?

​The Kentucky General Assembly established the Veteran’s Program Trust Fund (VPTF) as part of the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans’ Bonus Act on December 23, 1988. The purpose of the VPTF is to direct funding to projects and programs that help Kentucky’s veterans for which other funds are not available. 

The VPTF is overseen by a Board of Directors whose members are appointed by the Governor.​​​​ 

The Trust Fund supports many veterans programs and projects throughout the Commonwealth, like the University of Louisville's free behavioral health clinic for veterans.​

The application deadline is thirty calendar days before the meeting date and must be received (not stamped by the post office, but received in our office) at the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs by US mail or by fax no later than thirty calendar days from the scheduled meeting. 

Note:  KDVA reserves the right to postpone applications to the next Board scheduled when more than eight applications are received.  The Board cannot consider more than eight and applications that are not time-critical may be postponed to the very next scheduled Board meeting. The Board shall consider the first eight applications in the order the applications arrive.

Trust Fund Requests Expressly Prohibited

Kentucky regulations specifically prohibit certain requests for funding from the Kentucky Veterans Program Trust Fund.  Those are:

  • Construction of a structure Renovation​ of an existing structure

  • Entertainment costs

  • Maintenance costs associated with a VSO (meeting hall, clubhouse, and similar facility)

  • Any program already funded by the state or federal government


Trust Fund Requests Impliedly Prohibited

​Continuing maintenance and upkeep of any kind, especially of a memorial or monument. Rationale: we can deal with a one-time cost, but “continuing” means the funds go beyond the purview of a given Board’s decision.

Salaries of an organization (these go to a person and not directly to a veteran’s benefit) Rationale: no direct benefit to a veteran; no recognition factor.

Travel costs to attend seminars, conferences, and other meetings Rationale: no direct benefit to a veteran; no recognition factor.

Any costs associated with entertainment (music, promos, equipment) Rationale: associated costs of entertainment still relate to the prohibited subject matter ​

​How is the VPTF Funded?

VPTF has received a steady, moderate-income from a $5.00 fee that is included in the initial purchase price and renewal of Veterans’ License Plates. The VPTF is also a legal recipient of tax-deductible contributions from individuals, companies and organizations. Donations to the Trust Fund are tax-deductible. Such contributions may be made through the VPTF check-off box on the Kentucky Income Tax form, directly to the VPTF through personal checks to the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, or securely online.

Kentucky’s Veterans Service Organizations have contributed generously to the VPTF since its creation and continue to do so. Donors may also specify that their contribution goes to one of several specific programs/facilities KDVA operates for the benefit of veterans:​

Charitable contributions to governmental units are tax-deductible under section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code if made for a public purpose.

​For more information about the Kentucky Veterans Program Trust Fund


What KRS Established the VPTF?

40.310 Duties of Department of Veterans' Affairs.  

(7) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall manag​e the veterans' program trust fund established by KRS 40.460 by hosting all board meetings, providing logistical support, recording the minutes of each meeting, and authorizing expenditures once the board has approved a request for funds.

Effective: June 25, 2013 History: Amended 2013 Ky. Acts ch. 114, sec. 1, effective June 25, 2013. -- Repealed, reenacted, and amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 147, sec. 3, effective July 14, 2000. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 244, sec. 6, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 313, sec. 2, effective July 14, 1992.-- Amended 1980 Ky. Acts ch. 118, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1980. -- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 74, Art. VI, sec. 34. -- Created 1972 Ky. Acts ch. 222, sec. 3.​​


Application Deadlines to Apply for the Veteran

Program Trust Fund are listed below:

February 20, 2024
May 12, 2024
August, 2024
November, 2024

Generally, the Trust Fund award meeting will be held a month after the deadline. The tentative meeting dates are: 

March 20, 2024
June 12, 2024
September, 2024
December, 2024

Trust Fund Members 

NameAffiliation
  
 
Chair Whitney Allen
Dep Comm Juan Renaud
KDVA
KDVA
 
Vice-Chair Carl Kaelin
VFW
 


 
Carla RaislerKYNG
 
Pending
AMVETS 
Pending
AMLEG KY
 
Dave Jarrett
DAV 
David Best
GAB
 


 
Timothy Martinez
Amy McGrath
David Rummler
At-Large
At-Large
JECVO