Patriot's Pen
Funding Amount
$500 - $5,000
Deadline
Expected ~October
Based on past cycles
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Annual
- Current deadline
- October 31, 2026
- Tracked since
- April 2026
Deadlines typically fall in: October
Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Eligible organizations
- Students in grades 6-8
Other requirements
- Must participate through a local VFW Post
Overview
Program Type: Annual youth essay contest for middle school students
Overview:
The VFW's Patriot's Pen® annual youth essay contest encourages students to examine America's history and their own experiences in modern American society.
Award Details:
- Total Awards: Nearly $1 million in state and national awards
- National First Place: $5,000
- State First Place: Minimum of $500 at national level
Eligibility:
- Students in grades 6-8
- Must participate through a local VFW Post
Essay Requirements:
- Length: 300-400 words
- Topic: Based on patriotic theme chosen by VFW Commander-in-Chief
Geographic Scope: National program with state (MA) awards available
Participation: More than 60,600 students nationwide participate annually
How to Apply
Application Process
- Write Essay: Draft 300-400 word essay based on annual theme
- Complete Entry Form: Fill out the 2025-2026 entry form
- Submit to Local VFW Post: Find your sponsoring local VFW Post
- Deadline: Submit by midnight, October 31
Required Materials:
- Essay (300-400 words)
- Completed 2025-2026 entry form
Note: Essays must be submitted to a local participating VFW Post
What Veterans of Foreign Wars Dept VFW Mass actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2023 — the most recent filing with itemized grants
Veterans of Foreign Wars Dept VFW Mass reported $281K in grants for 2025 as a total without an itemized list; the grant details below are from 2023, its most recent itemized filing.
- Grants in 2023
- 1
- Total given
- $100K
- Median grant
- $100K
- By dollars: Massachusetts 100%. Top recipient cities: Boston, MA.
Example grants
Massachusetts VFW Foundation Inc · Boston, MA
To benefit eligible vfw posts in ma
$100K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Education
- Youth programs
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