- Who can receive a grant?
- Children aged 3 years through 12th grade of National Guard or Reserve military personnel either deployed overseas or severely injured may apply.
- What documentation is required to apply?
- A copy of the military parent’s deployment orders is needed to show that the parent is deployed overseas. For children of severely injured soldiers, a referral letter from a case manager is required. Applicants must also submit a photo copy of thechild's military dependent ID card or a copy of Form 1172, Application for Uniformed Services Identification to establish the child's dependency on the military parent. Lastly, the application must be accompanied by a copy of a brochure, flyer, website page, or letter from the organization providing the activity or service. Please circle or highlight the registration fee that applies to the program the child is enrolling in as well as any information about who the check should be made payable to.
- Does the family have to meet income qualifications before a child can receive a grant?
- No. Family income is not a consideration in determining whether a child is eligible to receive a grant.
- Are there any restrictions on the types of activities for which grants are awarded?
- Yes, Our Military Kids does not award grants for day care, tuition reimbursement, or mission trips. Only those activities listed in the “Activities Covered” section of this website will be eligible for grants from Our Military Kids. If you do not see the activity your child has selected in the “Activities Covered” listing, please call our office to inquire whether that activity is covered.
- What tutoring services qualify under this program and what documentation is required?
- Grants will be considered for services provided by companies or organizations in the following subjects: reading, writing, math, or study skills to assist children in maintaining academic performance at grade level. Grants paid to individual tutors will only be provided h/she is a certified teacher and can show documentation (teacher's license, etc.) .
- Will I receive a check in the mail?
- No. If your request for a grant is approved, a check will be made payable and sent to the organization indicated on the grant application form. The applicant will receive formal written notification of acceptance or rejection by mail within two 2 weeks of receipt of the application by Our Military Kids.
- Does the family have to repay the grant?
- No. The grant does not have to be paid back unless the child does not participate in the activity indicated on the application.
- May the same child apply for more than one grant?
- Yes. Children are eligible for two grants per deployment as long as, 1) the deployment is 365 days or more, 2) the service member has at least 60 days remaining on the orders at the time the second application is submitted, and 3) it has been six months since the first grant award.
- May more than one child from a family apply for a grant?
- Yes. All children in a family may apply for a grant as long as the child meets all the criteria for eligibility. The $500 limit applies to each child not to a family.
- How does Our Military Kids determine which children receive grants?
- The mission of our organization is to provide a grant to each child submitting an application that meets all established guidelines. We will review each request and consider the applications in the order in which they are received at our office. We will award grants to all qualified applicants as long as funds are available.
- What are the sources of funding?
- Grants from Our Military Kids are made possible by the generous contributions from corporations, charitable foundations and individuals listed under “Our Sponsors” on this website. People may also make a contribution to our program through the Combined Federal Campaign. If you are a member of the National Guard or Reserves, please choose #12357 when making your selection.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
