Activity Grants Help Military Kids Cope with Stress During Uncertain Times

What started as a small project to support military children of the National Guard unit based in Winchester, VA, has evolved into a nationwide project providing military kids with activity grants. Our Military Kids awards funding to military children for enrollment in enrichment activities while their parents are deployed with the National Guard or are recovering from injuries sustained in post-9/11 overseas combat missions.

Today, the non-profit has awarded over $28M in military kids activity grants to more than 72,000 U.S. families. While sports, fine arts, STEM programs, and tutoring are the most common uses of these grants, the program will cover many other options. Our Military Kids has even provided grants for log rolling and rock-climbing programs.

Parents have reported that participation in sports, arts, or other enrichment activities helps children manage stress and build self-confidence during difficult times. In fact, after receiving the grant 81% of parents saw an improvement in their child’s academic performance, 94% experienced a positive change in the entire family’s wellbeing, and 90% of injured vets noticed significant advances in their own recovery.

Who Qualifies for Military Kids Activity Grants?

Eligibility for the Deployed NGR Program:

Parent must be deployed with the National Guard or Reserves for at least 120 days OCONUS.
Activity will start before parent returns home.

Eligibility for the Severely Injured Program:

Parent must have sustained combat-related injuries while deployed in oversees for a post 9/11 mission.
Parent is classified as severely injured (rated 30% or more) in one of the following categories: burns, amputation, mental health, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or PTSD.
Parent is actively seeks treatment for his or her disability after separating from the military.

Grants are awarded on a rolling basis. For more information visit www.ourmilitarykids.org.