Veterans Cemetery Grants

The Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP) provides grants to states, territories, and tribal governments to establish, expand, improve, operate, or maintain Veterans cemeteries. The program has awarded over $1.1 billion in grants since 1980 and has funded 122 Veterans cemeteries. The VCGP provides up to 100 percent of the development cost for an approved project and can also provide operating equipment for the establishment of new cemeteries. However, it cannot pay for land acquisition. Key aspects of the program include: * Grants can only be used for Veterans cemeteries owned and operated by a state, territory, or tribal government on trust land. * The US Department of Veteran Affairs (US-DVA) provides up to 100 percent of the development cost for an approved project. * US-DVA can only provide operating equipment for the establishment of new cemeteries. * VA cannot pay for land acquisition. * Cemeteries funded under the grant program must conform to the standards and guidelines pertaining to site selection, planning, and construction prescribed by US-DVA. * Cemeteries must comply with the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) requirements. * Cemeteries must be operated solely for the interment of Veterans and their eligible family members.