Dog Tag Brewing FoundATION Grant Overview Process

+ WHAT WE DO

At Dog Tag Brewing Foundation, we are wholly focused on building, supporting, and sharing the legacies of Fallen Warriors in ways that are meaningful to the families and that inspire America to actively engage in honoring, remembering, and celebrating the lives and legacies of our nation’s Fallen Warriors. We do this in three ways:

  1. We work with Gold Star Families (family of a serviceman or servicewoman who died in service to our nation) to identify, build and enhance Legacy Building Projects with existing 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, or to establish new 501(c)(3) organizations (with our assistance) to carry out the Legacy Building Project.
  2. We provide charitable grants, along with a wide array of no-cost services, to 501(c)(3) organizations that carry out these projects.
  3. Then, we share these Legacy Building Projects and the Fallen Warrior’s story on Dedication Cans, inspiring America to get involved, to remember, and to celebrate these lives and legacies.

Additionally, we provide a wide array of No-Cost Services to the 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations selected by or established by Gold Star Families. These services include:

  • Board training and development
  • Guidance relating to governance and operations
  • Fundraising and event strategies
  • Website development
  • Communications consultations

+ OUR PROCESS: PROJECTS, GRANTS & DEDICATION CANS

We believe that the best way to build a legacy is to understand the life and service behind it. Because of this, we are committed to providing highly collaborative, personalized service to the Gold Star Families who have selected Legacy Building Projects and the 501(c)(3) organizations that will carry out the project.

Our unique process reflects this commitment, bringing together families, nonprofit organizations, the public and our team to ensure each Legacy Building Project is poised for broad impact and long-lasting success. Then, and only then, are Dedication Cans produced.

Note: Dedication Cans are produced only at the successful completion of the steps listed below.

  1. Gold Star Family selects a Legacy Building Project and the authorized next of kin completes and submits the Gold Star Family Initiative Inquiry (GSFII).
  2. We review the GSFII to ensure project meets established criteria (see below). If a family opts to establish a new 501(c)(3), our office will initiate a separate process with the family.
  3. Upon approval of the Legacy Building Project, we require the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that will carry out the project to complete a grant application.
  4. 501(c)(3) completes and submits the grant application.
  5. Our grant committee reviews complete grant applications and makes award decisions on a biannual basis.
  6. Once a grant is awarded, a Dedication Can is produced to share the story of the Fallen Warrior and to shed light on the Legacy Building Project.
  7. Grant reporting and ongoing follow up with grant recipients.

+ WHAT WE SUPPORT

We only support Legacy Building Projects that are initiated by a Gold Star Family and that will be carried out by an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by the family. We provide full start-up services to families wishing to establish new 501(c)(3) organizations

We are particularly interested in supporting Legacy Building Projects that:

  • Share stories of Fallen Warriors that are reflective of service;
  • Reflect our commitment to inspire America to actively engage in honoring, remembering, and celebrating the lives and legacies of Fallen Warriors;
  • Generate awareness of the life and legacy of the fallen service member;
  • Generate measurable impact, whether locally or on a broader level;
  • Include the Gold Star Family in a meaningful way;
  • Demonstrate a commitment to “pay it forward”, highlight citizenship, and inspire the American public to get involved; and
  • Utilize grant support to grow capacity, generate additional financial support, and increase overall success of the organization.

+ WHAT WE DO NOT FUND

We do not fund the following:

  • Direct grants to individuals or non-501(c)(3) organizations
  • Organizations that are not identified and selected by a Gold Star Family
  • International organizations or projects that require distributing funds to an international organization
  • Endowments, capital campaigns, or major infrastructure projects
  • Political or lobbying activities or organizations
  • Debt service, collateral, or commercial ventures
  • Organizations that discriminate based upon federally protected statuses

+ WHO CAN APPLY

Gold Star Family Initiative Inquiry: Dog Tag Brewing Foundation works solely with the authorized next of kin. An authorized next of kin is the legal representative of the estate of a Fallen Warrior. Submittals must be made by the authorized representative (i.e. legal representative) of the Fallen Warrior.

Charitable Grant Application: Charitable Grants are only awarded to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. To be considered a “qualified 501(c)(3),” the organization must meet the following criteria:

  • Selected by the Gold Star Family, or Dog Tag Brewing Foundation, to carry out a Legacy Building Project.
  • A 501(c)(3) organization in good standing with federal and state regulatory agencies.
  • Be of small/medium size, with small/mid-level annual revenue, where grant resources have the potential for significant impact.
  • Demonstrate fiscal responsibility, strong organizational leadership and governance, and diverse sources of revenue.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to utilizing organizational resources for programmatic purposes.
  • Be capable of and willing to carry out the Legacy Building Project according to its terms and any reasonable grant restrictions.

+ Ready to Apply

The 2016 grant application period is closed. Dates for the 2017 grant application cycle will be announced later this year. Thank you.

+ Questions & Resources

For additional information or guidance relating to the Dog Tag Brewing Foundation grant process and this application, please contact us.

Dog Tag Brewing Foundation
2042 Stadium Drive, Suite #2
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 577-2261
[email protected]

Their legacies are in your hands.