Voice of Democracy
Funding Amount
$1,000 - $35,000
Deadline
October 31, 2026
35 days left
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
- High school students in grades 9-12
- Participation: More than 26,400 students nationwide participate annually
Other requirements
- Must participate through a local VFW Post
- 2025-2026 Theme: "How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?"
- Geographic Scope: National program with state (MA) awards available
Overview
Voice of Democracy
Program Type: Audio-essay scholarship program for high school students
Overview:
Established in 1947, the Voice of Democracy® program provides high school students with the opportunity to express themselves through a recorded essay on a patriotic and democratic theme.
Award Details:
Eligibility:
2025-2026 Theme: "How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?"
Geographic Scope: National program with state (MA) awards available
Participation: More than 26,400 students nationwide participate annually
How to Apply
Application Process
1. Prepare Audio Essay: Record essay based on the annual theme
2. Complete Entry Form: Fill out the 2025-2026 entry form
3. Submit to Local VFW Post: Find your sponsoring local VFW Post
4. Deadline: Submit by midnight, October 31
Required Materials:
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
- 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
Categories
Browse similar grants by category
Related Grants
Open grants from this funder and similar programs
Patriot's Pen
Veterans of Foreign Wars Dept VFW Mass
Amount
$500 - $5,000
Deadline
October 31, 2026
Scout of the Year
Veterans of Foreign Wars Dept VFW Mass
Amount
Varies
Deadline
October 31, 2026
Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Program
Veterans of Foreign Wars Dept VFW Mass
Amount
Varies
Deadline
October 31, 2026
IIDA/IDEC Foundation Educator Diversity Award
Interior Design Educators Council Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
October 11, 2026
Chuck Miller Teacher Grants
Palos Verdes Peninsula Education
Amount
Varies
Deadline
October 12, 2026
Spark Grants
Hopkins Education Foundation
Amount
Varies (Fall 2025: $57,168 total awarded across 13 grants; individual awards range from $360-$12,275)
Deadline
October 13, 2026
Ready to apply for Voice of Democracy?
Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.