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Our Military Kids offers grants (up to $300 per eligible child) to pay for extracurricular activities for children, ages 1-18, of deployed and stateside activated National Guard and Reserve service members, as well as those of combat-injured Veterans from any service branch.

These grants can be used to pay for a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, music lessons, tutoring, and summer camp. We are unable to fund daycare fees, school tuition, or mission trips.

Our Military Kids has never turned away an eligible child. You may submit one application per eligible child in your household for an activity grant for up to $300 each.

For our Deployed National Guard and Reserve Program, each eligible child may receive one grant per deployment, or two (2) grants per deployment if the orders show least 180 days.

For our Combat-Injured Program, each eligible child may receive one grant every six months, for a maximum of four (4) grants per child, with an additional fifth FLEX grant available at any time during the military parent's recovery. Each new grant requires a separate application. Required for eligibility: A letter from a VA case manager certifying the Veteran meets all the criteria for our program and is still receiving treatment.

Once your child's grant is approved, we will mail an award packet to your home address filled with goodies such as dog tags, an OMK patch, and a personalized Our Military Kids grant certificate. Included in this award packet is your child's grant check, made payable to the activity provider, so that you may hand-deliver it to the activity organization.

Eligibility Requirements:

• For overseas or stateside missions of 90-179 days (cumulative within 12 months), each child (age 1-18) is eligible for ONE (1) grant up to $300 for one extracurricular activity to start before the service member returns home.
• For overseas or stateside missions of 180+ days (cumulative within 12 months), each child (age 1-18) is eligible for TWO (2) grants up to $300 each for the same or different activities, each to start before the service member returns home. Each grant requires a separate application.
• Activations for AGR assignments or training are not eligible for a grant.

You will need:

• A copy of the deployment orders that show that the child’s parent is deployed overseas with the National Guard or Reserves for at least 90 days. If you are Air National Guard, we will need contingency exercise deployment (CED) orders showing OCONUS duty.

• One of three forms of child identification – either A) a copy of the completed Form 1172, Application for Uniformed Services Identification (DEERS Form), OR B) a copy of the child’s birth certificate if he/she is the biological child of the deployed service member, OR C) a copy of DEERS/MilConnect Service Member profile page with child listed as the service member’s dependent.

• Documentation of the activity’s cost, such as a flyer, brochure, website screenshot, or a letter from the organization which clearly states the cost of the program. Letters must be typed (handwritten activity fees will not be accepted) and on an official letterhead. Grant requests for tutoring services provided by an individual must include a copy of the tutor’s teaching certificate.

Reminder: Grant approvals are always subject to the availability of funds.

For our Combat-Injured Program, each eligible child may receive one grant every six (6) months, for a maximum of four (4) grants per child, with an additional fifth (5th) FLEX grant available at any time during the military parent's recovery. Each new grant requires its own application.

This program is powered in part by Wounded Warrior Project® to honor and empower post-9/11 injured service members, veterans, and their families.

Eligibility Requirements

• The child or teen is age 1-18 OR not yet a high school graduate.
• Service Member/Veteran has sustained combat-related wounds, illness, or injuries while deployed in support of any post-9/11 overseas contingency operation.
• Service Member/Veteran has one VA individual disability rating of 30% or more (not combined) in one of the following categories: burns, amputation, mental health, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, or one of the presumptive conditions outlined in the PACT Act.
• Service Member/Veteran is actively seeking treatment for his/her severe injuries and has a case manager or medical practitioner who is able to certify the above information in writing.

You will need:

• A copy of the child's birth certificate if the service member/Veteran is the biological parent of the child, OR DD Form 1172, OR a copy of DEERS/MilConnect Service Member profile page with child listed as dependent, OR an eBenefits profile with dependents listed.

• A program brochure, registration form, or letter from the service provider with fee information, address, and telephone number.

For Veterans:

• A letter from a VA case manager certifying the Veteran meets all the criteria for our program and is still receiving treatment. You can use our case manager letter template HERE.
• VA paperwork showing the breakdown of awarded disability percentages.
• A copy of the Form DD214.

For actively-serving military personnel:

• A letter from a case manager certifying the service member meets all program criteria and is still receiving treatment.
• The most recent copy of the service member’s military orders moving them into a SRU (Soldier Recovery Unit) or medical hold.

Reminder: Grant approvals are always subject to the availability of funds.

• What are the eligibility requirements for a grant?
  • The child/teen is age 1-18 OR not yet a high school graduate.
  • The child's parent is currently deployed overseas or activated stateside (not including AGR assignments or training) with the National Guard or Reserve for at least 90 days, OR is a Veteran who sustained combat-related wounds, illness, or injuries during a post 9/11 overseas contingency operation and is currently undergoing treatment, with one VA individual disability rating of at least 30% or more in one of the categories of TBI, PTSD, amputation, spinal cord injury, burns, mental health, or one of the presumptive conditions outlined in the PACT Act.
  • You are able to provide all required documentation, as listed on the application (linked above). For the Combat-Injured Program, a letter from a VA case manager certifying the Veteran meets all the criteria for our program and is still receiving treatment is required. You can use our case manager letter template HERE.

• How will the grant payment be received?
  • Once approved, a grant award packet will be sent to your home address. This packet includes special recognition for the child, as well as the grant check, which is made payable to the activity organization. You may then hand-deliver the check to the organization. If you made an early payment to reserve your child’s spot, you may then request reimbursement from the organization.

• What is the maximum grant award my child can receive?
  • Each grant funds a maximum of $300 per child, per activity.
  • An additional $300 activity grant per child is available for 180+ day NGR deployments!

• Can a grant pay for academic tuition, religious trips, or child care?
  • No; we only fund extracurricular activities such as fine arts, tutoring, sports, and camp.

• Are children of active component service members eligible for a grant?
  • No. Our program currently focuses on serving the families of deployed National Guard and Reservists, who often live away from military communities and leave behind civilian jobs when they deploy overseas.

• Can a grant check be made payable to a family member?
  • No, for security reasons we only approve grant payments to non-family members, unless you are applying for an online enrichment activity. If so, we require a paid invoice as part of the application documentation, and the grant check will be made out to the name on the credit card statement.

• How soon can I apply for another grant?
  • For our Deployed or Stateside Activated NGR Program:
    • 80-179 Day Orders: You may apply for one (1) grant per child, per deployment.
    • 180+ Day Orders: You may apply for two (2) grants per child, per deployment. Each $300 grant requires its own application.

• For our Combat-Injured Program:
  • You may apply every six (6) months for a new grant that may be used for the same or different activities, up to four (4) times per child. We also offer an additional fifth (5th) FLEX grant available at any time during the military parent's recovery, so you would not need to wait the typical six months to re-apply.
  • Required for Eligibility: A letter from a VA case manager certifying the Veteran meets all the criteria for our program and is still receiving treatment.

Any other questions? Please reach out to us at: OMKinquiry@ourmilitarykids.org