Purpose. The purpose of the VFW is to speed rehabilitation of the nation's disabled and needy veterans both men and women, assist veterans' widows and orphans and the dependents of needy or disabled veterans, and promote Americanism by means of education in patriotism and by constructive service to local communities.
You must be a veteran who has honorably served overseas in an area of foreign conflict in order to join the VFW. You have to have served in a combat area to become a member. However, if you are not eligible for VFW membership but are the parent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, child or grandchild of a qualifying veteran, you can apply for membership in the VFW Auxiliary.
The VFW offers a wide range of assistance programs aimed at helping veterans of every generation. Whether that means providing free, professional help filing or appealing a VA claim, offering scholarships for post-secondary education or providing emergency financial relief when times get tough, the VFW is there for America's veterans.
The organization maintains both a legislative service and central office for national rehabilitation service in Washington. The latter nationwide program serves disabled veterans of all wars, members and nonmembers alike, in matters of government compensation and pension claims, hospitalization, civil-service employment preference, and etc.
Only a quarter of charities rated by Charity Navigator receive a coveted four-star rating. VFW Foundation is the official 501(c)(3) charity of the VFW. As a nonprofit organization, the foundation receives no government funding and relies solely on individual donations and corporation sponsorships.