SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) announced today the recipients of the competitive (2018 Cycle II) Support Our Troops (SOT) license plate fund grant program.

• Fishing for Life, Inc.: $20,000
• Middle River Veterans Outdoors, Inc.: $20,000
• Honor Flight Twin Cities: $50,000
• 23rd Veteran: $89,920
• Region Five Development Commission: $92,400

The MDVA SOT grant program offers a competitive grant process which allows organizations to apply for funding. These grants, ranging from $1,000 to $100,000, are focused on supporting and improving the lives of Veterans and their families.

“Congratulations to our diverse group of grant recipients for their commitment to serving Minnesota Veterans in many different ways,” said Commissioner Larry Herke, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. “I also thank those Minnesotans who purchase SOT license plates. Without support from the thousands who are ‘driving home their support’ every day, these grants would not be possible.”

Fishing for Life, Inc. 

Fishing for Life will use this grant to expand their Next Gen Program which will serve 10 youth of Minnesota Veterans at no charge by matching them with a Fishing for Life volunteer guide.  

Middle River Veterans Outdoors, Inc. 

Middle River Veterans Outdoors, Inc. will use this grant to provide differently-abled Veterans and family members outdoor fishing and hunting experiences with the aid of a tracked wheelchair.

Honor Flight Twin Cities

Honor Flight Twin Cities will cover the cost of airfare for 75 Minnesota WWII and Korean Veterans to visit the memorials dedicated to their service in Washington, D.C. 

23rd Veteran

23rd Veteran will use this grant for their 23V Recon Project which will provide Veterans in the seven-county Metro area and greater Minnesota a 14-week transition course designed to retrain Veterans’ brains to associate negative triggers with positive events.

Region Five Development Commission

Region Five Development Commission will use this grant for the VetCSA Program (Community Supported Agriculture), locally grown healthy twice-monthly food shares as well as recipes, cooking demos and nutrition education. This no-cost program will be provided to 50 food-deprived Veterans and their families living in the five-county area which includes Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena Counties.

About the SOT License Plate Program:

Deployments and military service can put a strain on families, finances and health. Purchasing a Support our Troops License plate helps Minnesota military, Veterans and families in the following ways:

• Grants through Support Our Troops program
• Benefits the CORE program, which provides family counseling, with specialty services available for children; financial counseling, debt management and mental health counseling
• Emergency financial assistance 
• Helping homeless Veterans secure shelter and access to benefits 
• Outreach to diverse communities across Minnesota, helping provide Veterans with access to earned benefits 
• Community seminars on health conditions associated with military service  

To purchase SOT plates, visit your local DMV office. SOT plates are also available from auto dealerships. Be sure to ask about SOT plates when you purchase your next new or used vehicle.

To receive a notice when the next grant cycle opens, or to learn more about how to apply for an SOT grant, visit the MDVA grants page.

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The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA)
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is a cabinet level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. In addition to overseeing the five State Veterans Homes, MDVA helps eligible Veterans and families secure state and federal benefits and provides programs and services relating to higher education, benefits, burial, claims, outreach and Veteran’s preference. For more information, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-(888)-LinkVet.