West Chester, PA (Junio 3, 2025) – The Chester County Department of Veterans Affairs was awarded state grant funding to serve more veterans with programs and outreach initiatives thanks to the donations of generous Pennsylvanians, state Senator Carolyn Comitta said today.
The Chester County Department of Veterans Affairs was one of 15 county departments statewide to receive more than $201,000 in funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ (DMVA) Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF).
“Pennsylvania is home to more than 700,000 veterans, including about 25,000 in Chester County. As we approach the 250th birthday of our nation next year, their service and sacrifice remains pivotal to our strength and unity,” Comitta said. “I want thank all of those who answered the call of duty, those who’ve donated to the Veterans’ Trust Fund, and the organizations that support our veterans across our Commonwealth.”
The Chester County Department of Veterans Affairs was awarded $15,000 in funding through the VTF. It is funded by donations through direct online contributions (https://www.pa.gov/dmva/donate/) and donations made when applying for or renewing their driver’s license, photo ID, or motor vehicle registration. 100 percent of each dollar donated to VTF goes directly to fund grants. There are no administrative costs, salaries, or contract costs.
“Our veterans have served our country and fought for our freedoms, and my administration has their backs,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “The Veterans’ Trust Fund, supported through Pennsylvanians’ generous donations, provides vital resources for the organizations that support Pennsylvania’s 700,000 veterans – organizations that make sure our veterans can put food on the table, have transportation to get where they need to go, and receive the benefits they earned through their service. We will continue to work to ensure that the brave men and women who protected our freedoms have the opportunity to succeed and can prosper here in the commonwealth.”
“There are so many incredible veteran advocacy organizations in Pennsylvania, but they can’t do all the work without financial support. That is why the Veterans’ Trust Fund is so important,” said Maj. Gen. John Pippy, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA. “Thanks to the generosity of so many Pennsylvanians, we are able to provide much-needed support through the VTF to these organizations. It is another example of how we are all one team with one mission of supporting our veterans and their families.”
The Chester County Department of Veterans Affairs is dedicated to providing benefit information and application services to county veterans, their spouses and their dependents so they can receive the veterans benefits to which they are entitled under county, state, and federal laws.
The DMVA also awarded $819,850 in total VTF funding to 24 veteran service organizations with 501(c)(19) status and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and a mission of serving Pennsylvania veterans. Funding awards for these organizations was prioritized to address challenges Pennsylvania veterans face, from food and housing insecurity to transportation and behavioral health issues.
The DMVA is authorized to solicit and accept donations to the VTF on behalf of the Commonwealth. Tax-deductible donations can be made online at https://www.pa.gov/dmva/donate/ or mailed to: PA Veterans’ Trust Fund, Bldg. 0-47, Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003.
The VTF also receives proceeds from the sale of the Honoring Our Veterans and Honoring Our Women Veterans license plates, as well as private donations.
To learn more about the VTF, visit www.vtf.pa.gov