1,000+ Opportunities
Find the right grant
Search federal, foundation, and corporate grants with AI — or browse by agency, topic, and state.
This listing may be outdated. Verify details at the official source before applying.
Find similar grantsVeterans Creative Arts Festival (VCAF) Grants is sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary Foundation. Aids in the well-being of veterans by introducing them to art therapy, including creative arts such as music and creative writing.
Get a weekly digest of new grants like this
A free weekly digest of new foundation and federal funding opportunities as they're added to Granted. Unsubscribe anytime.
Or search similar grants →Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
June 9-14, 2026 | Columbia, South Carolina About the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival As a way to help veterans recover from and cope with physical and emotional disabilities, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities across the country are turning to a different form of rehabilitative treatment — creative arts.
Each year, veterans enrolled at VA health care facilities showcase their talents in local creative arts competitions. For some, this provides an opportunity to open up and express themselves. “It’s an honor to be chosen out of so many talented people,” said one performer.
“Being in the festival builds up my confidence. It brings joy into my life. ” The visual arts division includes 51 categories, ranging from oil paintings to leatherwork to paint-by-number kits.
In the performing arts division, there are 100 categories related to all aspects of music, dance, drama, and creative writing. “It’s given back a different life for me,” another performer said. “I always say if you get that second chance, grab it, run, and don’t look back.
” Through a national judging process, first, second, and third place entries in each category are determined. Only selected first place winners are featured at NVCAF. Learn more about NVCAF at https://department.
va. gov/veteran-sports/national-veterans-creative-arts-festival/ . Since 2000, the Auxiliary has co-presented NVCAF, alongside the Department of Veterans Affairs .
Carrying out the Auxiliary’s mission of Service Not Self, members, units, and departments make generous monetary donations to help carry out this event. Best of all, Auxiliary members have had the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with these heroes who participate, leading to a life-changing experience for many. “What surprises me is how giving the ALA is, how unselfish they are,” said a performer.
“I’ve had the time of my life here. ” Funding for Local Veterans Creative Arts Festivals The American Legion Auxiliary Foundation also plays a part in supporting these events through offering Veterans Creative Arts Festival (VCAF) Grants. The purpose of these grants is to aid in the well-being of veterans by introducing them to art therapy.
Whether used for workshops, preparation for, or facilitation of local competitions which feed into the National Festival, grant funds may be requested for needs that contribute to this effort. For example, thanks to a $2,500 VCAF grant from the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation, four dozen veterans had the opportunity to show off their talents during a local veterans creative arts festival in Vermont.
“You can see them light up when they have accomplished something, they felt they couldn’t do when they started,” said ALA member Janet Osmer. “This is a great program for your mind, love, and most of all, self-confidence. ” If you’re interested in applying for a Veterans Creative Arts Festival grant or would like to learn more information, visit www.
ALAFoundation.
org NVCAF Headlines from the ALA Blog Being around veterans feels good again for NVCAF artist Writing from the heart lands veteran a first-place NVCAF finish 2026 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival begins ‘A powerful tool for healing’ The national American Legion Auxiliary celebrates 25 years with NVCAF Veteran’s rekindling with art lands him in National Veterans Creative Art Festival Voices of Veterans: Nancy Frideres Voices of Veterans: Robert Nause Voices of Veterans: Jerry Zabel PTSD Awareness Month places extra focus on music therapy PTSD Awareness Month places extra focus on creative arts therapy Veterans ready for a week of camaraderie at annual event Veterans reflect on healing power of the arts Caregivers support their veterans at ALA events Creative arts help veterans heal from life-changing events National Veterans Creative Arts Festival back in person ALA support of NVCAF continues during transition year Music therapy benefits veterans with PTSD
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: American Legion Auxiliary units, districts/counties, or departments that identify a new, one-time need for local veterans or active military. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Veterans Creative Arts Festival (VCAF) Grants is funded by American Legion Auxiliary Foundation. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) Idea Award (IA) supports innovative, untested, high-risk/potentially high-reward concepts, theories, paradigms, and/or basic cancer research. The advancement of knowledge in cancer research, patient care, and/or treatment options in the Military Health System (MHS) is critical to Service Members, Veterans, other military beneficiaries and the American public.Distinctive Features: The proposed project should demonstrate creative thinking and innovation.• Incremental advances, the next logical step, or switching a model system from one cancer to another cancer are not appropriate for this award.• Inclusion of preliminary data is not required; however, the project must be based on strong scientific rationale.• New for FY26: Early Career Investigator Option: The Early Career Investigator option is designed to support the continued development of promising independent investigators that are early in their faculty appointments. Funding Opportunity Number: HT942526PRCRPIA. Assistance Listing: 12.420. Funding Instrument: G. Category: ST. Award Amount: $18M total program funding.
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) Idea Award (IA) supports innovative, untested, high-risk/potentially high-reward concepts, theories, paradigms, and/or basic cancer research. The advancement of knowledge in cancer research, patient care, and/or treatment options in the Military Health System (MHS) is critical to Service Members, Veterans, other military beneficiaries and the American public.Distinctive Features: The proposed project should demonstrate creative thinking and innovation.• Incremental advances, the next logical step, or switching a model system from one cancer to another cancer are not appropriate for this award.• Inclusion of preliminary data is not required; however, the project must be based on strong scientific rationale.• New for FY26: Early Career Investigator Option: The Early Career Investigator option is designed to support the continued development of promising independent investigators that are early in their faculty appointments. Funding Opportunity Number: HT942526PRCRPIA. Assistance Listing: 12.420. Funding Instrument: G. Category: ST. Award Amount: $18M total program funding.
Grants for Creative Individuals is sponsored by Mass Cultural Council. Unrestricted grants to Massachusetts artists, culture bearers, and creative practitioners to equitably advance creative expression throughout the Commonwealth's diverse communities. This includes individuals in all creative fields, such as visual artists, literary artists, theater artists, performers, film/media artists, music artists, designers, traditional artists, drag artists, and cross-disciplinary artists.