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.

• Recovery Community Network (St. Cloud): $11,640
• Patriot Assistance Dogs: $45,000

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 Interim 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.”

Patriot Assistance Dogs (PAD) is receiving a $45,000 grant to provide psychiatric service dogs to Veterans living with mental illness.

Recovery Community Network (RCN) - Saint Cloud will use their $11,640 grant, in coordination with the mayor’s office of St. Cloud, to create a resource guide for Veterans, service members and their families in Central Minnesota.

This SOT grant cycle began with applications submitted in October 2022. While these two organizations now have executed grant agreements, MDVA remains in negotiation with one or more organizations to complete the grant agreement process.

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
• American Heroes Outdoors – therapeutic outdoor adventures and activities
• Conservation Corps MN & IA – service-learning experience that supports Veterans as they transition out of the military by assisting them in developing transferrable workforce skills that can lead to a career in the natural resources field
• LegalCorps – “Ventures for Veterans” provides free, transactional business and patent law services
• Mandatory Fun Outdoors – Recreational trailer to serve as a mobile office, provide safe/secure storage to transport and store equipment, and shelter Veterans and families at Mandatory Fun Outdoors events
• Disabled Veterans Rest Camp – Golf carts to enable differently abled and elderly Veterans and their families access to the activities offered throughout the 69-acre camp
• Lutheran Social Services of MN – Respite care coordination
• Pain Free Patriots – Innovative pain treatment program
• Support the Troops MN – Financial assistance and clothing

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 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 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 Veterans employment. Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit www.MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-(888)-LinkVet for more information about benefits.