The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently allocated nearly $112 million to community organizations across the nation. This initiative aims to address the troubling suicide rates among veterans, particularly those not utilizing VA health care services.
Funding Announcement
On September 29, the VA announced the distribution of $111.9 million through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. These funds will be accessible at the start of the fiscal year 2027. Recipients eligible for this program include nonprofits, local governments, tribal entities, and other community-based organizations that offer veteran services.
VA Secretary Doug Collins highlighted the importance of engaging with community groups. “Community organizations are critical to reaching Veterans who may not otherwise connect with VA care,” he stated. The program functions as a conduit between essential federal resources and veterans requiring support.
Suicide Rates: A Continuing Challenge
The funding announcement is part of the VA’s ongoing efforts to combat rising suicide trends among veterans. The recent National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report shows that 6,398 veterans died by suicide in 2023, a slight decrease from the previous year’s figure of 6,442. The daily average for veteran suicides dropped marginally from 17.6 to 17.5.
Despite this, both male and female veteran suicide rates increased, with male rates moving from 37.3 to 37.8 per 100,000 and female rates from 13.7 to 13.9 per 100,000 in 2023. Veterans aged 18 to 34, those experiencing homelessness, or dealing with chronic health issues are at heightened risk.
Significantly, 61 percent of veterans who died by suicide in 2023 were not receiving VA-supported health care in the preceding year. This statistic underscores the necessity of extending prevention efforts beyond VA facilities.
Purpose of the Funding
The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program aims to expand suicide prevention beyond traditional clinical spaces. It addresses elements contributing to suicide risk, such as social isolation, financial struggles, and inaccessible care.
Grant recipients offer services like outreach to those at risk of suicide, mental health screenings, peer support, case management, emergency treatment referrals, and assistance in obtaining VA and other governmental benefits. The program focuses on veterans not connected to the VA health care system, especially those in underserved regions.
In 2025, approximately 17,000 veterans, service members, and family members benefited from services provided by Fox grant recipients, a 31 percent increase from the previous year. The grant helped link 2,647 veterans previously not using VA services to necessary health care and support.
Major Funding Recipients
The VA is distributing $111.9 million across various states. California and Texas receive the most substantial funding, with approximately $10 million and $7 million, respectively. Florida follows with over $6 million, and New York with around $4.3 million.
Since its inception in 2022, the program has distributed over $322 million to 218 organizations, covering 49 states, U.S. territories, and Tribal lands.
Comprehensive Prevention Strategies
The grant program is part of a broader suicide prevention strategy by the VA. The Veterans Crisis Line managed over 1.3 million communications in 2025, a 39 percent rise from the previous year, alongside conducting more than 5.3 million suicide-risk assessments.
To curb rising suicide rates, VA officials emphasize the pivotal role of community-based grants. These grants help reach veterans who might never visit a VA clinic but still require assistance.