Annual Veteran Service Organization (VSO) Summit

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Grant Applications

The SWAM VSO Summit

The Swim With A Mission (SWAM) VSO Summit was created to solve a problem we kept seeing again and again: Veterans often need more than one service, yet the organizations supporting them were not always connected to one another.

Our mission has always been about strengthening the Veteran community — not just through fundraising, but by building a stronger, more collaborative support network. The VSO Summit is where that mission comes to life.

Each year, we bring together Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), nonprofits, government agencies, and community leaders into one room with one shared goal: working together to better serve Veterans and their families.

What the VSO Summit Is:

The SWAM VSO Summit is a collaborative, action-focused gathering designed to:

Increase awareness of available resources and services
Improve referral pathways when one organization cannot meet all of a Veteran’s needs
Foster meaningful partnerships across local, regional, and national organizations
Address the most urgent challenges facing the Veteran community

Participating organizations include:

Veteran Service Organizations from across New Hampshire
Partner nonprofits from Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, and beyond
National Veteran-focused nonprofits supported by SWAM
State and federal partners, including the VA and NH Department of Military & Veterans Services (DMVAS)
Elected officials and community leaders with a role in Veteran support

This summit is not a conference where people sit quietly and listen — it is a working session built on conversation, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Why This Summit Matters

One of the most critical issues addressed at the VSO Summit is the ongoing mental health crisis within the Veteran community.

Since the start of the Global War on Terror, 96 New Hampshire service members were lost in combat. Tragically, we are losing nearly ten times that number of Veterans who return home and later die by suicide.

This is a statistic we refuse to accept.

Through open dialogue and shared expertise, summit participants work together to identify gaps in care, improve coordination, and develop solutions aimed at reducing Veteran suicide and strengthening long-term support systems.

Additional topics regularly addressed include:

Mental health and suicide prevention
Housing insecurity and homelessness
Service dogs and alternative therapies
Access to healthcare and benefits
Organizational collaboration and sustainability

Who Should Attend

We strongly encourage new and emerging Veteran-focused nonprofits to attend the SWAM VSO Summit.

If your organization:

Serves Veterans, active-duty service members, or military families
Provides direct services, advocacy, outreach, or support programs
Is looking to collaborate, learn, or expand its impact

…then this summit is for you.

Many organizations attend for the first time unsure of what to expect and leave with new partnerships, stronger referral networks, and a clearer understanding of how to navigate the Veteran support landscape.

SWAM Grant Program

A key component of the VSO Summit is education around the SWAM Grant Program.

SWAM provides grant funding to Veteran Service Organizations that align with our mission of strengthening the Veteran community and addressing critical needs.

Grant Focus Areas

Grant funding is prioritized for programs that support:

Mental health services and suicide prevention
Housing stability and homelessness prevention
Service dogs and complementary therapies
Peer support and community-building initiatives
Innovative solutions addressing unmet Veteran needs

How the Grant Process Works

While not always required, attendance is strongly encouraged. The summit allows organizations to understand SWAM’s mission, connect with partners, and ask questions directly.
SWAM grant applications open annually on March 1st and close on September 30th.
Eligible organizations may apply for funding through SWAM’s formal grant application process during this window.
Applications are reviewed by the SWAM Grant Committee, an internal review body that assesses proposals based on mission alignment, demonstrated need, organizational capacity, and potential impact on the Veteran community.
Grant recipients are announced in the fall. SWAM hosts a grant awarding presentation and strongly encourages all VSOs receiving funding to attend. This event provides an opportunity to recognize the important work being done, share program impact, and further strengthen collaboration across the Veteran service network.
Selected organizations receive funding and often continue to collaborate with SWAM and fellow VSOs beyond the grant period.

Grant applications and deadlines are announced annually. More information and application details will be posted as they become available.

Our Commitment

Since 2021, SWAM has proudly hosted five VSO Summits, creating a growing network of organizations committed to collaboration over competition.

Our 5th Annual VSO Summit was held on September 9, 2025, at the Easterseals NH Military & Veteran Campus in Franklin, NH.

Planning is underway for the 6th Annual VSO Summit in 2026. We invite both returning and new organizations to join us as we continue working together — as one — for those who served.

Please check back soon for the 2026 summit date and registration details.