VETERANS MEDICAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL APPLICATION GRIC 2017.PDF

Created: 02/06/2017 • Last updated: 03/02/2017
General information
Organization Veterans Medical Leadership Council
Contact First name Jeremiah
Contact Last name Smith
Contact e-mail jeremiah.smith@everyonesagrantwriter.org
Contact phone number 6024055330
Address
Street 1024 W. Pampa Avenue
City Mesa
State Arizona
ZIP Code 85210
From what tribe is the Gila River Indian Community
organization requesting the
grant?
Total grant amount request 40,000
1 / 2

The Gila River Indian Community offers multi-year awards. If your
organization is requesting a multi-year grant for this project or program
from the Gila River Indian Community, enter the amount to be requested
each year.
Amount
Year 1 (Gila River Indian
40,000
Community Grants Only)
Year 2 (Gila River Indian
Community Grants Only)
Year 3 (Gila River Indian
Community Grants Only)
Year 4 (Gila River Indian
Community Grants Only)
Year 5 (Gila River Indian
Community Grants Only)
2 / 2

Id t.:1 IRS Department Internal Revenue of the Treasury Service
In reply refer to: 4077591934
OGDEN UT 84201-0029 Oct. 21, 2014 LTR 4168C 0
26-4658030 000000 00
00026304
BODC: TE
VMLC CHARITIES
% NEIL THEX
3627 E INDIAN SCHOOL RD STE 209
PHOENIX AZ 85018-5109
011132
Employer Identification Number: 26-4658030
Person to Contact: Ms. Wiles
Toll Free Telephone Number: 1-877-829-5500
Dear Taxpayer:
This is in response to your July 16, 2014, request for information
regarding your tax-exempt status.
Our records indicate that you were recognized as exempt under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code in a determination
letter issued in April 2011.
Our records also indicate that you are not a private foundation within
the meaning of section 509(a) of the Code because you are described in
section(s) 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi).
Donors may deduct contributions to you as provided in section 170 of
the Code. Bequests, legacies, devises, transfers, or gifts to you or
for your use are deductible for Federal estate and gift tax purposes
if they meet the applicable provisions of sections 2055, 2106, and
2522 of the Code.
Please refer to our website www.irs.gov/eo for information regarding
filing requirements. Specifically, section 6033(j) of the Code
provides that failure to file an annual information return for three
consecutive years results in revocation of tax-exempt status as of
the filing due date of the third return for organizations required to
file. We will publish a list of organizations whose tax-exempt
status was revoked under section 6033(j) of the Code on our website
beginning in early 2011.

4077591934
Oct. 21, 2014 LTR 4168C 0
26-465803,0 000000 00
00026305
VMLC CHARITIES
% NEIL THEX
3627 E INDIAN SCHOOL RD STE 209
PHOENIX AZ 85018-5109
If you have any questions, please call us at the telephone number
shown in the heading of this letter.
Sincerely yours,
r-7-----
Tamera Ripperda
Director, Exempt Organizations

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017
Cover Sheet
Municipality Information
1. Date of Application: 2/28/2017 (NOTE: Click or use up/down arrow keys to move among fields)
2. Name of City, Town or County: Maricopa County
3. Mayor (City or Town) or Board of Supervisor’s Chairman (County): Denny Barney
4. Mailing Address: 301 W Jefferson, 10th Floor
5. City: Phoenix State: Arizona Zip Code: 85003
6. Acknowledgement of Submission by Authorized Municipality Representative:
Typed Name/Title: Click here to enter text. Signature:
Applicant Information
7. Department/Organization Name: VMLC
8. Is this a 501c non-profit Organization? No Yes If yes, attach IRS Determination Letter
9. Application Contact Person: Col. Sam Young, ret. Title: President
10. Phone Number: (480) 838-7547
11. Mailing Address: 1024 W Pampa Ave
12. City: Mesa State: Arizona Zip Code: 85210
13. Email Address: info@arizonavmlc.org Website Address: http://www.arizonavmlc.org/
Project Information
14. Project Name: Returning Warriors
15. Purpose of Grant: Provide emergency assistance to Arizona Veterans in need
16. Priority Funding Area Healthcare
17. Annual amount requested $40000
18. Number of years that funding is requested 1
19. Total amount requested (annual amount x $40000
number of years)
20. Has your organization received past funding Click here to enter text.
from GRIC? If yes, list each year and amount
21. Geographic area served Click here to enter text.
For Office Use Only:
Data Entry Receipt Evaluation
Outcome  Approval Recommended/Amount $  Denial

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017
Narrative
Please structure your proposal to provide the following information in the order indicated. Provide the narrative in
paragraph form in the text field provided. Please be thorough but strive for brevity.
1. Briefly describe the organization’s history, mission and goals.
The mission of the VMLC is to mobilize community leaders to advocate on behalf of military Veterans living in Maricopa
County and raise and distribute funds that enhance the health and welfare of Veterans in Maricopa County. By providing
financial assistance, the VMLC allows Arizona Veterans to focus on the truly important aspects of their lives; family,
education, employment, community, and health – physical, mental, and spiritual. By receiving immediate financial
assistance, Arizona Veterans can avoid enrolling in public benefits unnecessarily, for a single event or momentary crisis
that is typically too short-term or immediate in nature for public assistance to be of any real benefit. Further crisis,
whether financial, emotional, or relational is also prevented by promptly and effectively addressing the initial financial
crisis.
2. If the applying organization is non-municipal or a non-profit 501c, please describe your relationship with Arizona
municipalities including past and present support, whether it be through partnerships, collaborations, in-kind
contributions, grants, tax-based funding or other. Describe the supporting municipality’s role in this project. If
the applying organization is a municipality governmental sub-division please enter the text “Not applicable.”
The Veterans Medical Leadership Council is a 501c3, but works closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs (Phoenix
VA Medical Center. The VMLC partners with the Department of Veterans Services to fund the Returning Warrior
program.
3. Describe the proposed project and planned goals and activities.
Through its Returning Warrior program, the VMLC works directly with almost 200 VA Medical Center case workers. The
case workers verify each Veteran’s status and qualifies them for assistance from the VMLC in cases where the VA is
unable to take action. When a Veteran requires financial assistance, the case worker obtains the invoice for the
requested assistance, e.g. rent, utilities, car repair. Then the case worker submits the application directly to the VMLC
who sends the check directly to the vendor/landlord. Checks are never sent to the Veteran. The Returning Warrior
program provides funds for expenses that will adversely affect the Veteran’s health, employment, or well-being and are
not eligible for Federal or State assistance. Last year the VMLC dispensed $182,000 to assist approximately 900
veterans/family members needing financial assistance.
Overall average to needy veterans was $546 (Housing $860, Utilities $228, Vehicle repair $472). In addition, the VMLC
helps to reduce homelessness, assists the Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS), supports the Maricopa Stand Down
(Veterans living on the street) and assists with special projects that improve the quality of life at the Arizona State
Veterans Home. With over 300,000 Veterans living in Maricopa County, there are many opportunities to help Veterans
who need a hand up. Thanks to donors like you, we’re making a difference!

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017
By providing direct and immediate financial assistance to Veterans in need (as qualified by the VA Case Management
team), the VMLC will assist Veterans maintain employment and permanent housing. For the Returning Warrior program,
success is defined by the number of Veterans referred by VA Case Managers who are assisted, and avoid homelessness.
The objective of the Returning Warrior program is to directly assist 900 Veterans and their families avoid homelessness
or other financial crisis.
4. Describe how the proposed project satisfies one or more of the priority funding areas identified by the Gila River
Indian Community.
Gila River Indian Community’s priorities include health care, education, economic development, public safety, and
transportation. By focusing on the overall health of Veterans, the Returning Warrior Fund addresses education, safety,
and economic development as well. The mission of the VMLC is to enhance the health and welfare, as well advocate on
behalf of Veterans. The Returning Warrior Fund is the embodiment of that mission, literally investing in the health and
welfare of veterans, as well as supporting, in various ways other organizations that also serve veterans. Evidence shows
that prolonged an episode of homelessness, food insecurity, or the stress of financial crises have adverse effects on an
individual’s capacity to think, learn, perform (on a job), and create/maintain healthy relationships. This effect is much
higher among children than adults. By providing immediate financial assistance to Arizona Veterans and their families,
VMLC and the Gila River Indian Community can help prevent such detrimental circumstances, effectively maintaining
healthy individuals, children, and families.
5. Identify the needs/problems to be addressed, target population and number of people to be served by the
project.
While Veterans make up only about 10% of the American population, they count for more than 25% of the homeless
population – making it more than twice as likely for a Veteran to experience homelessness. Per the most recent Census
Bureau American Community Survey, 6.4% of Arizona’s 522,382 Veterans live in poverty. That means over 30,000 more
Veterans living in Arizona are at an elevated risk of experiencing homelessness each day.
With the support of GRIC, the VMLC intends to continue to prevent Veterans facing poverty and other financial crises
from experiencing homelessness. All funds received from GRIC will be used entirely to directly support Veterans
accessing care from the Phoenix VA, as outlined above.
6. Define the project as a new or continuing program.
The Returning Warrior program has been in operation since 2006, and serves Arizona Veterans year-round, as resources
permit.
7. Provide a brief timeline including start and finish dates. Indicate if the timeline is flexible.
As mentioned previously, the Returning Warriors Fund is a year-round, on-going program. There is no schedule for
assistance, as service is based on needs of Veterans. Unfortunately, there are always open and unanswered requests
from the VA Case Managers for Veterans in need. With the help of the Gila River Indian Community, VMLC will be able
to assist more Veterans than last year, ensuring a safe, healthy, growing community for all.

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017
8. Identify other organizations, partners or funders participating in the project and their roles.
There are several foundations and corporate partners that also support the VMLC and the Returning Warrior program.
Annually, the Arizona Republic/Season for Sharing, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Safeway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, the AZ
Department of Veterans Services, and Wells Fargo support the RW program with financial contributions.
9. Would you be able to implement the proposed plan if your organization received partial funding for this project?
The VMLC has operated the Returning Warriors program without interruption for over ten years. In that time,
the program has provided emergency assistance for nearly 10,000 Arizona Veterans. Such a level of support
and impact has only been possible due to the commitment of partners like the Gila River Indian Community.
Any level of funding awarded will completely and directly support the wellbeing and health of Arizona Veterans
and their families.
10. Describe your plan for project sustainability beyond the grant period. If this is a program/project previously
funded by the Gila River Indian Community describe efforts made towards the previously described
sustainability plan.
The VMLC has operated for over 16 years, providing advocacy and direct support for Veterans in many capacities. The
VMLC is an all-volunteer organization that relies solely on philanthropic dollars, the vast majority coming from grants,
corporate sponsorship, and individual donors and the remaining from the Heroes Luncheon held each year the week of
Veterans The VMLC has built a reliable and dedicated network of advocates and partners and regularly raises between
$200,000 and $250,000 to distribute to Arizona Veterans each year.
11. Describe your plan to document progress and results.
The project's effectiveness is measured by the report back from the VA Case Manager who referred the Veteran to
VMLC. Following the assistance provided by the VMLC, the VA Case Manager monitors the crisis and stability of the
Veteran and his/her family and reports back to the VMLC. Success is defined by the reported successful aversion of a
disconnection of utility service or eviction, ability to maintain mobility (bus passes, auto repair, or gas cards), food or
utility assistance, and the like.
12. Indicate any application to and/or awards made by a tribe other than the Gila River Indian Community for state
shared revenues for this and any other project for the past five (5) years. If this information is included in a
separate attachment, please indicate that here.
Not Applicable.

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017
Project Budget
Budget Period: Click here to enter text.
For each budget item listed here please provide a narrative description on the following Project Budget Detail page.
Proposed Budget Expense Amount Amount In Kind Total Budget
(list each budget item) requested from requested or contributions
GRIC secured from
other funders
1. Salaries and Wages $0 $0 $0 $0
2. Insurance and Benefits $0 $0 $0 $0
3. Rent/Occupancy $0 $0 $0 $0
4. Equipment $0 $0 $0 $0
5. Travel $0 $0 $0 $0
6. Supplies $0 $0 $0 $0
7. Direct Assistance to Individuals $35000 $240,000 $0 $275,000
8. Administration $0 $2,000 $0 $2,000
9. Professional Fees $0 $8,000 $8,000 $16,000
10. Events $0 $50,000 $0 $50,000
11. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0
12. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0
13. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0
14. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0
15. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0
16. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0
17. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0
Total Budget $35,000 $300,000 $8,000 $343,000

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017
Project Budget Detail
Please provide a narrative description for each of the project budget items listed on the previous page. Include the
dollar figure and how it was derived.
1. Salaries & Benefits: The VMLC is an entirely volunteer-run organization. There are no expenses for saparies or
benefits.
2. Direct Assistance to Individuals: $275,000 ($35,000 requestedfrom GRIC) – All grant dollars and money raised from
the Heres Luncheon are applied fully and only to the Returning Warrior program, directly serving Arizona Veterans in
need.
3. Administration: $2,000 – There is a contracted bookkeeper who arranges all apyments and reconciles the finances of
the VMLC.
4. Professional Services: $16,000 ($8,000 In-Kind) – the VMLC contracts a professional Grant Writer to manage the
annual grant program. The grant professional charges $8,000 – a 50% discounted fee.
5. Events: $50,000 – Each year, the VMLC hosts a Heroes Luncheon to honor Arizona Veterans and raise money for the
Rerturning Warrior program. The event is held during Veterans Day at the Arizona Biltmore each year, and gathers 500
of the state’s greatest advocates for Veterans.
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Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017
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Other explanation: Click here to enter text.