VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES
406 W 34TH ST, KANSAS CITY, MO 64111 www.vfw.org

Total Revenue
$94,271,941
Total Expenses
$89,096,166
Net Assets
$111,227,077

Organizations Filed Purposes: THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE FRATERNAL, PATRIOTIC, HISTORICAL, AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES; TO PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN COMRADESHIP AMONG MEMBERS; TO ASSIST WORTHY VETERANS; TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY AND HISTORY OF OUR DEAD, AND TO ASSIST THEIR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS; TO MAINTAIN TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND FIDELITY TO ITS CONSTITUTION AND LAWS; TO FOSTER TRUE PATRIOTISM; TO MAINTAIN AND EXTEND THE INSTITUTIONS OF AMERICAN FREEDOM; AND TO PRESERVE AND DEFEND THE UNITED STATES FROM ALL OF HER ENEMIES, WHOMSOEVER.

ASSISTING VETERANS, MILITARY PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAMILIES, ADVOCACY FOR VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL, HISTORICAL EDUCATION AND COMMEMORATION, PROMOTING PATRIOTISM, YOUTH ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.

VETERANS SERVICE ACTIVITIES - THE VFW MISSION INCLUDES THE MANDATE TO PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN COMRADESHIP AMONG VETERANS AND TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THEM, THEIR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. TO MEET THIS OBLIGATION, THE VFW DELIVERS A BROAD RANGE OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO VETERANS THROUGH A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE THAT EXTENDS TO POSTS IN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. AT THE STATE LEVEL, THE DEPARTMENT SERVICE OFFICER PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN ASSISTING VETERANS IN DEALING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND OTHER AGENCIES. THESE OFFICERS ARE FORMALLY TRAINED AND ACCREDITED TO REPRESENT BOTH MEMBER AND NON-MEMBER VETERANS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS OR SURVIVORS IN APPLYING FOR AND OBTAINING DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) BENEFITS. THE VFW NATIONAL VETERANS SERVICE STAFF PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE SUCH AS REPRESENTATION AT THE VA BOARD OF VETERANS APPEALS AND AT THE PRE-DISCHARGE POINTS FOR SOON-TO-BE DISCHARGED ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL. THIS STRUCTURE ENSURES THAT NO VETERAN, DEPENDENT OR SURVIVOR NEEDS TO DEAL WITH THE AGENCIES ADMINISTERING VETERAN'S PROGRAMS WITHOUT EXPERT REPRESENTATION. IN ADDITION, THEY ADVOCATE DIRECTLY WITH GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES TO RESOLVE ISSUES IMPACTING VETERANS. THE VFW EXPENDED $441,194 TO PROVIDE TRAINING TO OVER 400 SERVICE OFFICERS AT BASIC, ADVANCED, AND PROFICIENCY TRAINING CONFERENCES. THIS TRAINING ENSURES VFW SERVICE OFFICERS REMAIN PROFICIENT IN UNDERSTANDING VETERANS BENEFIT PROGRAMS AND POLICIES TO PROVIDE QUALITY REPRESENTATION TO THEIR CLIENTS, WHO OFTEN MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE VFW AS THEIR VA REPRESENTATION FOR YEARS AFTER FILING AN INITIAL CLAIM. FOR THE 2020 FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REPORTED THAT MORE THAN 546,000 VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS REPRESENTED BY VFW SERVICE OFFICERS RECEIVED MORE THAN $9.7 BILLION IN EARNED BENEFITS. THE VFW PROVIDED $295,963 WORTH OF COMPUTERS TO SERVICE OFFICERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ENSURE THAT SERVICE OFFICERS HAD THE BEST EQUIPMENT TO COMMUNICATE WITH AND FILE CLAIMS ON BEHALF OF VETERANS. IT ALSO ALLOWED SERVICE OFFICERS TO ASSIST VETERANS REMOTELY WHEN OFFICES WERE CLOSED DUE TO RESTRICTIONS FROM COVID-19. ADDITIONALLY, THE VFW PROVIDED OVER $1.27 MILLION IN HELP-A-HERO SCHOLARSHIPS TO 312 SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS TO HELP THEM COMPLETE EDUCATIONAL GOALS. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES UP TO $5,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO VETERANS OR CURRENT MILITARY PERSONNEL WITH A RANK OF E-5 OR BELOW. VFW NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE SERVES VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT OF FEDERAL BENEFITS. THIS SERVICE ENSURES THE VIEWS OF VETERANS ARE PRESENTED TO LEGISLATORS AND PROVIDES RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING PROPOSED LEGISLATION. THE MEMBERSHIP IS KEPT INFORMED OF THESE ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE VFW MAGAZINE, THE VFW ACTION CORPS AND OTHER PRINT AND DIGITAL MATERIAL. VFW REGULARLY APPEALS TO LAWMAKERS AND DEFENSE LEADERSHIP TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF TRAINING, EQUIPMENT AND COMPENSATION FOR AMERICA'S SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN, MARINES AND COAST GUARD PERSONNEL. THE VFW TESTIFIES BEFORE CONGRESS OVER 20 TIMES EVERY YEAR ON IMPORTANT ISSUES IMPACTING VETERANS.

FRATERNAL ACTIVITIES AND MEMBER SERVICES - FRATERNAL ACTIVITIES AND MEMBER SERVICES ARE VITAL SUPPORT COMPONENTS TO THE VFW NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS AS IT WORKS TO ACCOMPLISH THE VFW MISSION AT STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS. THIS SUPPORT INCLUDES GRANTS OF $944,798 AND TRAINING TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION WITH THE INFORMATION AND INCENTIVES NEEDED TO MOBILIZE VOLUNTEER EFFORTS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD. THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE PATRIOTIC ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY PROJECTS, YOUTH ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORT OF ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL, GUARD AND RESERVES. THE VFW NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS ALSO PROVIDES DUES PROCESSING SERVICES, FUNDRAISING SERVICES, AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO ALLOW THE VFW STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS TO FOCUS THEIR RESOURCES ON VETERAN SERVICE AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES.VFW PROVIDES A MAGAZINE AND EMBLEMATIC SUPPLIES TO MEMBERS AND VETERANS TO PROMOTE HISTORICAL EDUCATION, AND COMMEMORATION AND PROMOTION OF PATRIOTIC SUPPORT AND ACTIVITIES. THE VFW MAGAZINE ENSURES MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC REMAIN APPRISED OF LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES CONCERNING VETERANS, HEALTH PROBLEMS CONFRONTING VETERANS, HISTORICAL AND COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES, SUPPORT PROVIDED BY MEMBERS IN SUPPORT OF VFW-SPONSORED PROGRAMS IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND OTHER INFORMATION TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO TAKE ACTION.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PUBLIC AWARENESS - COMMUNITY SERVICE IS A MAJOR PRIORITY OF THE VFW. THE VFW'S MISSION INCLUDES MAINTAINING TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND FIDELITY TO ITS CONSTITUTION AND LAWS, FOSTERING TRUE PATRIOTISM AND LOVE OF COUNTRY, AND MAINTAINING AND EXTENDING THE INSTITUTIONS OF AMERICAN FREEDOM. TO FULFILL THESE OBJECTIVES, THE VFW HAS A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS, MATERIALS, AND ACTIVITIES THAT REACH OUT TO EVERY AMERICAN VIRTUALLY EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR. THE MAJOR ELEMENTS OF VFW COMMUNITY SERVICE INCLUDE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION, SAFETY PROGRAMS, AND YOUTH ACTIVITIES. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ASSISTANCE IN CONDUCTING BLOOD DRIVES, RECYCLING PROGRAMS, AND NEIGHBORHOOD AND HIGHWAY BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS; AID TO SENIOR CITIZENS, VOLUNTEERING IN HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, AND ASSISTING FAMILIES IN TIMES OF PERSONAL TRAGEDY OR ILLNESS; AND ASSISTANCE TO CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS THROUGH VOLUNTEERING AND SPEAKER PROGRAMS. CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION, MATERIALS, AND ACTIVITIES ARE GEARED TO REMIND, EDUCATE, AND INFORM CITIZENS OF THEIR COUNTRY'S TRADITIONS, FREEDOMS, AND THE NEED TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THEM. KEY ELEMENTS OF CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION INCLUDES PUBLICATIONS AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION HONORING THE FLAG, PROPER FLAG DISPLAY, THE FLAG HISTORY AND THE FLAG CODE AS WELL AS PERIODIC DISTRIBUTION OF FREE FLAGS. SUPPORT OF CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS THROUGH DISTRIBUTION OF CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION MATERIALS AND SCHOOL FOLDERS CONTAINING COPIES OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, THE CONSTITUTION, AND OTHER IMPORTANT HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS; PUBLICATION AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION CONCERNING OFFICIAL PATRIOTIC HOLIDAYS SUCH AS MEMORIAL DAY, V-J DAY, VETERANS DAY, AND D-DAY; CELEBRATION OF PATRIOTIC HOLIDAYS THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN PARADES, PRESENTATIONS AND ASSEMBLIES; DISTRIBUTION OF PATRIOTIC LITERATURE AND EMBLEMATIC MATERIALS TO INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOLS; AND ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT "GET OUT THE VOTE" CAMPAIGNS AND VETERANS IN THE CLASSROOM. THE SAFETY MATERIALS AND ACTIVITIES IN THE OVERALL COMMUNITY SERVICE CATEGORY INCLUDE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, DRUG AWARENESS, RECREATIONAL SAFETY AND HOME AND FIRE SAFETY. THE VFW MADE GRANTS OF $398,000 TO ASSIST VFW POSTS AND AUXILIARIES WITH OUTREACH PROJECTS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES. FOR YOUTH ACTIVITIES, THE VFW SUPPORTS AMERICA'S YOUTH ATHLETIC PROGRAMS BY ENCOURAGING LOCAL POSTS TO SPONSOR TEAMS AND PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND MENTORING. VFW ENCOURAGES AMERICA'S YOUTH TO BE GOOD CITIZENS BY PROVIDING CITIZENSHIP EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND HONORING OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE BY YOUNG PEOPLE FOLLOWING THE MEDAL OF HONOR CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION. VFW ENCOURAGES ACADEMIC PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH A NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND ANOTHER FOR JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS. PARTICIPATING STUDENTS MAY RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, THE VFW NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS PROVIDED $189,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS FOR STUDENTS.

Executives Listed on Filing

Total Salary includes financial earnings, benefits, and all related organization earnings listed on tax filing

NameTitleHours Per WeekTotal Salary
Robert Wallace - Term End 719EXEC DIRECTOR WASH OFFICE55$379,359
Vincent LawrenceEXEC. DIRECTOR WASHINGTON OFFICE55$237,815
Debra AndersonQUARTERMASTER GENERAL55$203,431
Kevin C JonesADJUTANT GENERAL55$199,372
James J LierzCONTROLLER AND MANAGER OF PURCHASING & INSURANCE55$172,733
William J SchmitzNATIONAL COUNCIL MBR. -TERM END 7/2055$165,447
Harold J Roesch IiCOMMANDER-IN-CHIEF - TERM START 8/2055$160,219
John R MuckelbauerGENERAL COUNSEL55$151,935
Kim DeshanoASSITANT ADJUTANT GENERAL55$141,763
Matthew M MihelcicSR. VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIE55$66,319
Rodney A BirkleNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$5,890
Timothy M BorlandJR. VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF55$5,085
Rockey A DavisNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$4,703
Dennis L ParizekNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$4,501
Bobby J Cox -Term Start 820JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL5$4,289
Gundel M E MetzNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$4,052
Carol L WhitmoreNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$3,916
Patrick M BriggsNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$3,884
Thomas L HansonNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$3,764
Frederick A GreenNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$3,750
Gerald L PetersonNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$3,678
Lewis E WoodNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$3,186
Renee L SimpsonSURGEON GENERAL - TERM START 8/205$0
Curtis O BohlmanSURGEON GENERAL - TERM END 7/205$0
Rick W JohnsonNATIONAL COUNCIL MBR. -TERM END 7/205$0
Walter W Watts JrNATIONAL COUNCIL MBR. -TERM END 7/205$0
Earl D FulkNATIONAL COUNCIL MBR. -TERM END 7/205$0
Bruce R DolanNATIONAL COUNCIL MBR. -TERM END 7/205$0
Stanley Y FernanadezNATIONAL COUNCIL MBR. -TERM END 7/205$0
Michael K FergusonNATIONAL COUNCIL MBR. -TERM END 7/205$0
Arthur J WidhalmNATIONAL COUNCIL MBR. -TERM END 7/205$0
Kathie D SchiebelNATIONAL COUNCIL MBR. -TERM END 7/205$0
James H HapalaNATIONAL COUNCIL MBR. -TERM END 7/205$0
Gilbert HernanadezNATIONAL COUNCIL MBR. -TERM END 7/205$0
Shawn C WatsonNATIONAL COUNCIL MBR. -TERM END 7/205$0
Bert W KeyNATIONAL COUNCIL MBR. -TERM END 7/205$0
Gerald G DugasNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Johnny R CappsNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Robert O HendricksonNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
R Brian SturgisNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
David D WilliamsNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Robert A GraserNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Gerald J GorskiNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Philip L MaughanNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Dale E SmithNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Norert K EnosNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Alfred J LipphardtNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
W Benny BachandNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Norberto Millet JrNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
William R HallNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Richard G Di Federico JrNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
David L StoneNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Ashley A LittleNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Johnathan R HackettNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
George H JonesNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Steven M OrganNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Jessie L JonesNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Jack A HawleyNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Guyde A Lombari JrNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Todd C KingsburyNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Thomas F GimbleNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Allston J GilmondNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Larry M GerltNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Henry Hooper IiNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Rick L WilliamsonNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Augustus SingletonNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Daniel L WestNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Robert C EilerNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Robert E BarnhartNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Peter A CallaghanNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Paul J LloydNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
William F ThomsonNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Lenwood P HamptonNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Gregory A StaffordNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
William L TuffNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Christopher W HaynesNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Robert A ClarkNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
John R WrinkleNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER5$0
Rosalyn M Cox-Term Start 820NATIONAL CHIEF OF STAFF5$0
Father Joseph J GallickNATIONAL CHAPLAIN - TERM START 8/205$0
James G Jenkins JrNATIONAL CHAPLAIN - TERM END 7/205$0
Paul R Phillips JrNATIOANL CHIEF OF STAFF-TERM END7/205$0
J Douglas WhitakerJUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL-TERM END 7/205$0
Richard N BellINSPECTOR GENERAL -TERM START 8/205$0
Duane T SarmientoINSPECTOR GENERAL -TERM END 7/205$0

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