VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS
WORK VESSELS FOR VETS GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS
AM I ELIGIBLE?
- _______I am a Post 9/11 Veteran. Veterans MUST apply online at our website www.WVFV.org (go to the FOR VETERANS TAB). There is also a FAQ list there.
- ______ I have an Honorable DD214 Military Discharge . Veteran applicants must have an Honorable Discharge from Post 9/11 military service. A copy of their DD214 must be uploaded with the application.
- ______ I have a VA Disability Rating The application requests information about any service-connected injury and the VA % rating. Veterans with disability ratings over 80% are given priority.
- _______I have a Business Plan for my business, agricultural business or veteran-serving nonprofit. The applicant must submit a Business Plan with concept, financial estimates of income and start-up expenses, marketing plans, and prioritized list of equipment needed with approximate pricing for used or new equipment.
- _______I have a STATEMENT OF NEED. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. There are no deadlines. Please outline your need and include any accommodation to equipment to help you.
IMPORTANT: Work Vessels for Vets DOES NOT offer loans. ALL purchases are made by Work Vessels for Vets DIRECTLY to the SELLER on behalf of the veteran awardee. NO CASH is sent to the applicants. Veterans MAY NOT USE the award as a down payment or collateral for financing for equipment.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Work Vessels for Vets determines eligibility in a three-step process.
STEP ONE – The veteran’s on-line application must be complete and include detailed information about the veteran and his/her service. DD214 and VA disability determination letters are also required. These confidential documents are stored off-line.
*Rejected applications are referred to other resources such as the SBA Veterans Business Outreach Centers in their state, SCORE programs, Vet Centers, the Farmer Veteran Coalition training programs, the EBV Programs at 11 universities, etc.
STEP TWO – Each veteran applicant is matched with a volunteer business mentor
Work Vessels for Vets has a wide network of volunteer mentors across the country who stand ready to assist when called. The mentor writes a recommendation to the Work Vessels for Vets committee. The recommendations evaluate the efficacy of the business plan, analyze the financial underpinning of the start-up, and suggests the specific equipment with possible adaptations, to award the applicant. The Veteran-Mentor matches do not have a deadline. Some are immediately recommended for an equipment award, and others may take several months, while mentors work with the veteran-entrepreneur to create a solid business plan and recommendation for the critical piece of equipment needed for success.
STEP THREE – Veterans approved to receive an award of equipment are notified and the veteran and Work Vessels for Vets work together to find a donor or seller of the equipment. Work Vessels for Vets often negotiates a tax deduction to the seller in exchange for an outright donation or a discount from the fair market price. Work Vessels for Vets then purchases the equipment on behalf of the veteran.
ARE THERE OTHER RESOURCES TO HELP ME?
Work Vessels for Vets has working agreements with several other veteran-serving organizations to assist veteran applicants.
Work Vessels for Vets refers veteran applicants to FVC for agricultural training programs and other resources. FVC recommends veteran farmers to Work Vessels for Vets for equipment awards throughout the year. FVC has a Farmer Fellowship Program that provides farm equipment only once a year. In addition, as FVC establishes more state chapters, WVFV recommends their state programs to our past recipients, and to new applicants, including nonprofits. Many FVC farmers have been matched to new WVFV applicants as a peer-to-peer mentor.
- Farmer-Veteran Coalition farmvetco.org
- AgriAbility, a USDA program in many states that provides consultation and adapted equipment to injured farmers. Find AgriAbility at your state’s land grant university.
- Semper Fi & America’s Fund– frequently shares cost with Work Vessels for Vets for the most expensive equipment for injured veterans of any military service. https://TheFund.org
- US Veterans Chamber of Commerce – our MOU assists new veteran-owned businesses access new markets. http://www.USVCC.org
- SBA – Federal Surplus Equipment Set-Aside Program for Veterans. Go to gov for details. Also, Veteran-Owned Business Centers in many states (VBOC.gov) to access loans and assistance in developing a business plan. Link to SBA VBOC centers HERE
FAQs
No! A “Vessel” is any equipment you may need to reach your goal of self-employment.
We support all kinds of veteran entrepreneurs and frankly marvel at the ingenuity of business ideas.
Not always. Sometimes used equipment is donated or purchased in good used condition.
Most of our vessels are valued at $5,000 to $6,000 but some may be much less or more depending on the need.
No, but Post 9/11 returning combat veterans do receive extra consideration. Veterans with VA disability ratings over 80% also have preference.
It depends. We do not have a warehouse of equipment. All approved applications are matched with corporate or individual donations or purchased from donor funds.
Often we have a waiting list of up to 6 months, but it depends on the availability of the vessels requested and the ability to match a donor with needed equipment.
YES! All DD214 papers are maintained on a locked external drive that is only available to designated staff. We highly recommend that you redact your Social Security Number.
We cover the entire United States.
WVFV has partnered with the expert evaluators at The Mentoring Corps who work with our veteran applicants to assure that you have the right plans to be successful and that the equipment will contribute to your success.
Yes, but you need to complete a full description of your business concept and your timeline for start up.
Yes! And we can recommend resources to identify adaptations to equipment.
WVFV finds that your stories are the most successful way we can generate new funding to help more veterans. We will publicize our awards to media in your area and the nation as well as include in our grant applications to foundations.
NOTHING! We thank you for your service and ask only that you “Pay it Forward” by helping fellow veterans in need and by serving your community as you served your country.
