PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes Awards $25,000 Grant to Support Northern Virginia Veterans

Renewed funding for Northern Virginia Vietnam Veterans Foundation will help veterans and their families meet urgent housing, utility and transportation needs

TYSONS, Va., Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans in their transition from service to success, today announced a $25,000 grant to the Northern Virginia Vietnam Veterans Foundation (NVVVF) to provide emergency financial assistance to veterans and their families across Northern Virginia. The grant renews the Foundation's $25,000 commitment in 2025.

"An unexpected bill or car repair should not put a veteran's home or livelihood at risk," said Vietnam Veteran and PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes Board Member Edward Cody. "Our renewed support for NVVVF will help veterans and their families get timely assistance before a temporary setback becomes a lasting crisis."

Established in 2025 by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 227 veterans, NVVVF raises funds to sustain the chapter's nearly four decades of emergency assistance. Veterans of all service eras are eligible. Volunteers verify needs through trusted veterans service offices and government partners, then arrange payments directly to landlords, utility companies, repair shops and other verified creditors. Most assistance is approved and arranged within 48 hours.

The grant will help cover rent, mortgage payments, temporary housing, essential utilities, vehicle repairs and other verified emergencies. Based on the program's 2026 year-to-date average assistance of $1,021 per household, the funding is equivalent to assistance for approximately 24 veteran households, with actual assistance varying by need.

NVVVF reports that it and Chapter 227 have provided $110,383 in emergency assistance to 101 veterans and families since June 2025, including $81,719 for 80 veteran households in 2026 as of its grant proposal. These program-wide results reflect support from PenFed and other donors. The Foundation's entire 2025 grant funded direct veteran emergency assistance.

The program has no paid staff. Volunteers contribute their time, and NVVVF's administrative expenses are paid separately, allowing 100% of donations to help veterans and their families.

"PenFed's continued support will help more veterans keep their homes, pay essential bills and maintain reliable transportation," said NVVVF President Don Drunsic. "This grant allows us to respond quickly when veterans and their families need us most."

About The PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes

Founded in 2001, The PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes is a national nonprofit organization that supports veterans in their transition from service to success in civilian life. Affiliated with PenFed Credit Union, the Foundation supports veterans, active-duty service members and military families. PenFed Credit Union covers the salaries and administrative costs of The PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes, so more of your donation goes right to our programs. To learn more, please visit www.penfedfoundation.org.

SOURCE PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes