VA awards $5M in grants through first-of-its-kind program to help Veterans and their spouses transition from military service

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced it will award $5 million in grants to organizations that provide employment-based resources and tools to support recently separated members of the Armed Forces and their spouses.

Through the Veteran and Spouse Transitional Assistance Grant Program — the first of its kind grant program to be extended to support Veterans’ spouses — VA will award grants to 13 organizations. Grantee organizations will offer services such as resume assistance, interview training, job recruitment training, employment placement services, employment education and training, and referrals for employment.

Since day one, the Biden-Harris Administration has focused on eliminating barriers to employment and increasing economic opportunity for Veteran and military families, including through First Lady Jill Biden’s Joining Forces initiative. This new grant program builds on the historic Executive Order signed by President Biden in 2023, which announced a series of new actions aimed at enhancing career stability and expanding employment resources for Veteran and military families, including improving transition assistance support for spouses.

“Each year, more than 200,000 service members make the transition to civilian life, and we know that journey doesn’t just affect the Veteran — it impacts their entire family,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs. “Through partnerships with community or organizations, we’re providing Veterans and their spouses with the support and resources they need to succeed together in this new chapter of life.”

Each of the selected organizations will receive a grant award up to $500,000, which they will match. Recently separated service members and their spouses may sign up for the services starting in early 2025. The grant awardees are:

• American Corporate Partners
• Corporate America Supports You
• Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board
• Jacksonville State University
• Jewish Vocational Service
• Kansas City Scholars Inc.
• National University
• Operation Stand Down Rhode Island
• Operation Stand Down Tennessee
• Orange County United Way
• The Commit Foundation
• The Houston Launch Pad
• University Of Massachusetts

VA offers additional services to help Veterans, transitioning service members, and spouses find and keep jobs through programs such as Personalized Career Planning and Guidance and Veteran Readiness and Employment. These programs provide career counseling, assessment, and education planning tailored to Veteran needs.