St. Paul, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) has announced the recipients of the competitive Support Our Troops (SOT) license plate fund grant program.

• American Heroes Outdoors is receiving a $50,000 grant to provide year-round outdoor adventures to Veterans and their families. Some of the adventures include hunting, fishing, hiking, biking skiing and dog sledding.
• Magnus Veteran Foundation will use their $100,000 grant to aid in their mission of Veteran support by providing their Five Pillar Wellness Program free to Veterans and their families. The five wellness pillars include: medical, physical, psychological, spiritual and social and promote health and wellness.
• Support the Troops, MN will use $100,000 in grant funds to provide rapid response to Veterans encountering financial hardships. Their program will prevent evictions, avoid utility shutoffs and help with car repairs.

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 these diverse grant recipients for their commitment to serving Minnesota Veterans in different ways,” said MDVA Commissioner Brad Lindsay. “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.”

This SOT grant cycle began with applications submitted in January 2026. These three organizations now have executed grant agreements.

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. Just a few of the organizations that SOT funds have helped include:

• Minnesota Military Radio Program – weekly broadcast to inform the military and Veteran community.
• Believet Canine Service Partners – provides service dogs to Veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder, brain injury and other combat-related disabilities or injuries.
• Gaits of Hope – grant to provide equine therapy to Veterans free of charge.
• Ironwood Springs – providing free, family-based day and overnight retreats for Veterans and their families.
• Blue Star Mothers – grant to provide 3 nutritious meals monthly for Veterans and family members residing as guests at the Fisher House on the MPLS VA Campus.
• YMCA of the North – engaging veterans in YMCA health, wellness, and family programs that promote mental and physical health (whole-person wellbeing), access to critical resources, and other supports to build community connections.

To purchase SOT plates, visit your local DMV office. SOT plates may also be 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 MDVA SOT grant cycle opens, or to learn more about how to apply for an SOT grant, visit the MDVA grants page.

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About MDVA
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a cabinet-level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. In addition to overseeing the eight State Veterans Homes and four State Veterans Cemeteries, 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 Veterans employment. Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-888-LinkVet for more information about benefits.