WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has unveiled plans to distribute $52.5 million in grants to community-based organizations dedicated to preventing Veteran suicide or providing emergency clinical care for at-risk Veterans. This funding underscores the VA’s commitment to addressing mental health challenges within the Veteran community.
The grants, part of the Staff Sgt. Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, offer eligible organizations up to $750,000 each. Applications are due by 4:59 p.m. ET, July 18, with awards to be announced by September 30. Organizations can apply for renewals annually for the program’s duration. Info on how to apply is available at the Federal Register.
The Fox grant program, established under the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, promotes a public-health approach to suicide prevention. By combining community-based initiatives with evidence-based strategies, the program aims to broaden access to support for Veterans at risk.
VA Secretary Doug Collins highlighted the importance of community partnerships in these efforts, stating, “Reducing Veteran suicide starts with reaching Veterans when and how it’s most convenient for them. One of the best ways to accomplish this mission is by working with community-based organizations.”
Since the program’s inception in 2022, the VA has awarded $157.5 million to 95 organizations across 43 states, U.S. territories, and tribal lands. This latest round of funding seeks to build on the program’s success and further expand access to life-saving services for Veterans nationwide.
Organizations interested in applying for the grants can find detailed instructions in the Federal Register, ensuring transparency and accessibility in the application process.
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