Frequently Asked Questions

Project Vanguard operates through a multi-entity structure designed to enable education, advocacy, and operational execution while maintaining strong governance. Project Vanguard USA LLC is the for-profit operational backbone — it owns the shared infrastructure (CRM, digital platforms, brand assets), executes strategic planning, manages communications and media production, and provides contracted services to the nonprofit entities at fair market value.

The Project Vanguard Action Fund — the entity whose website you are on now — is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization focused on policy advocacy and public engagement: legislative lobbying, advocacy campaigns, grassroots mobilization, and coalition building. Contributions to the Action Fund are not tax-deductible.

The Project Vanguard Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated exclusively to charitable and educational purposes: public education on energy and workforce development, veteran workforce training programs, research publications, educational conferences, and community outreach. The Foundation is nonpartisan and does not engage in lobbying or political activity. Each entity has independent governance, separate finances, and distinct legal obligations — with written agreements governing any collaboration between them.

The Project Vanguard Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization. It is the entity through which Project Vanguard engages in policy advocacy, legislative lobbying, and grassroots mobilization on behalf of veterans in the energy sector.

The Action Fund's primary activities include:

• Legislative Lobbying — Engaging with lawmakers and policymakers to advance pro-veteran, pro-energy legislation at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Advocacy Campaigns — Running public campaigns that amplify veteran voices in energy policy debates and infrastructure development.
• Grassroots Mobilization — Organizing veterans and supporters to speak up at public hearings, town halls, and community meetings in support of energy projects.
• Coalition Building — Partnering with trade groups, industry stakeholders, and allied organizations to build broad support for an All-of-the-Above energy strategy.
• Public Policy Education — Informing the public about the intersection of energy security, national security, and veteran workforce development.

The Action Fund must operate primarily for social welfare purposes and cannot operate primarily to support or oppose political candidates. Contributions to the Action Fund are not tax-deductible.

The Project Vanguard Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization — a separate entity from the Action Fund. It is the entity through which Project Vanguard delivers workforce development and public education programming.

The Foundation's primary activities include:

• Public Education — Educating the public on energy, infrastructure, and the role veterans play in the workforce.
• Veteran Workforce Training — Developing and delivering programs that help veterans build careers in the energy industry.
• Research & Publications — Producing policy analysis, workforce reports, and educational materials.
• Educational Events — Hosting conferences, workshops, and forums that bring together veterans, industry leaders, and educators.
• The Community Leader Fellowship — The Foundation's leadership-development and training program for veterans in energy.

As a 501(c)(3), the Foundation is nonpartisan and does not engage in lobbying or political activity. Donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

We do not charge veterans, military family members, or supporters any fees, dues, or charges of any kind to take part in advocacy.

As a 501(c)(4), the Action Fund is supported by contributions and membership support that fund our advocacy, lobbying, and grassroots mobilization. Because the Action Fund engages in lobbying and advocacy, contributions are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

We never charge for membership. The movement unites a wide-ranging community behind a shared belief that veterans belong in the energy policy debate:

• Veterans in Energy — Veterans who currently work in energy and want to lend their firsthand experience and credibility to the policy conversation.
• Veterans Interested in Energy — Whether you just left the military or are exploring the industry, your voice strengthens the case for American energy.
• Military Family Members — The spouses and families who served alongside us are valued advocates in this movement.
• Energy & Military Supporters — We welcome civilian supporters who stand with veterans and want to advocate for sound, all-of-the-above energy policy.

There are multiple ways to engage with the Action Fund, and the time commitment depends on your level of involvement:

• Take Action — Join the movement here, it takes less than a minute.
• Respond to Action Alerts — When energy policy is on the line, we'll tell you exactly when and how to make your voice count with your representatives.
• Show Up — Attend town halls, public hearings, and advocacy events to represent the veteran energy voice in your community.
• Volunteer — Support our advocacy by helping organize events, mobilizing fellow veterans, and growing the movement locally.
• Community Leaders — Organize advocacy in your state and represent the movement regionally (10 hours/month).
• Coalition Partners — Bring your organization into joint advocacy campaigns and shared mobilization.

Ready to take action? Join the movement →  or  Sign up to volunteer →

We recommend:

• Join the Slack Community — When you sign up you'll automatically receive an email to join our Slack workspace.
• Introduce Yourself — Post in #0_start_here: your name, military background, where you are now, and the energy issues you care about.
• Join the Channels — Join #general, your local chapter channel, and the action and organizing channels where mobilization happens.
• Watch for Action Alerts — When legislation or a public comment period is open, we'll tell you exactly how to weigh in.
• Attend an Advocacy Event — Show up to a town hall, advocacy training, or chapter event and start building your reach.

We don't advocate in a vacuum — we equip and organize veterans to speak with credibility on the policies that shape America's energy future.

The action and organizing channels are where the movement turns out. When a bill is moving, a public comment period opens, or a hearing is scheduled, we post a clear, nonpartisan alert: what's happening, why it matters, and exactly how to weigh in.

You decide how much to do — sign a letter, make a call, submit a public comment, or show up in person. The bar goes up with your military service, not down: we want credible, experienced veteran voices in the rooms where energy decisions get made.

The #events channel is your go-to for advocacy events across the country — town halls, advocacy trainings, legislative days, and state chapter meetups. Members post upcoming events, coordinate who's attending, and organize turnout in their area.

Showing up in person is one of the most effective ways to make the veteran energy voice heard by the policymakers and communities that need to hear it.

Beyond #0_start_here and the action and event channels, we recommend joining:

• #general — The main conversation channel for the community.
• Your local chapter channel — Connect with advocates in your state or region. This is where local organizing lives.
• Branch-specific channels — Find members who served in your branch and share that immediate bond.

The Action Fund builds coalitions with veteran service organizations, trade associations, and allied groups who share our commitment to American energy. Ways to partner include:

• Join a Coalition — Add your organization to joint advocacy initiatives and shared campaigns on energy policy.
• Co-host Advocacy Events — Partner on town halls, advocacy days, and organizing events in your state or region.
• Cross-organization Mobilization — Activate your members alongside ours on the issues that matter most.
• Allied Stakeholder Engagement — Bring industry and community partners to the table to broaden the movement's reach.

Hiring veterans, workforce development, and educational programming are charitable and educational activities — they are carried out by the Project Vanguard Foundation (501(c)(3)), not the Action Fund. The Foundation partners with companies to host workforce development programs, sponsor educational events, and support research and publications.

The Action Fund advocates for an All-of-the-Above American energy strategy, organized around three priorities:

• Veteran Workforce Expansion — We advocate for policies that open the energy workforce to veterans: apprenticeship and credentialing pathways, hiring incentives, and recognition of military experience across every energy vertical.
• American Energy Dominance — We champion every form of American energy — oil, gas, nuclear, solar, wind, hydrogen, geothermal, and grid infrastructure. Energy dominance means leveraging every resource, not picking winners.
• Energy Security — We make the case that reliable, affordable, domestically produced energy strengthens national security, decreases dependence on foreign adversaries, and secures our military force projection for years to come.

We chose our name because we are leading from the front of energy. We are the vanguard for our forces.

There are too many veteran acronym organizations out there — "Veterans in X". While descriptive, we wanted a name for the organization that reflected our military heritage without beating you over the head with it.

When you become a member, you are signing up for our newsletter and action alerts. You will also gain access to our Slack community of veterans in energy.

When you become a volunteer, you'll be first in line for advocacy opportunities — helping organize town halls and advocacy days, mobilizing fellow veterans, testifying or speaking at public forums, and sharing your story through op-eds and earned media.

Community leadership is built for veterans and military spouses at every stage of their energy career — young professionals breaking into the industry, experienced managers looking to expand their influence, and senior executives ready to give back. What they all share is a drive to find their next tour of duty.

The ideal candidate sits at the intersection of military service, energy industry experience, and servant leadership. We're looking for people who:

• Have command presence with strong public speaking skills
• Bring a servant leader mindset — always looking to help other veterans
• Miss the camaraderie and fraternity of the military
• Are able to commit to 10 hours per month for 1 year

Military spouses are welcome and encouraged to step up.

Community leaders organize advocacy in their states around core objectives:

• Organize Advocates — Build your chapter's network of veterans ready to act.
• Engage Policymakers — Build relationships with state energy policymakers and stakeholders.
• Host Advocacy Events — Town halls, advocacy days, and organizing events that turn out the veteran energy voice.
• Represent the Movement — Be the face of the movement regionally and grow it in your state.

Project Vanguard currently operates 10 chapters with plans to expand to 20 by 2026 with over 50 fellows. Chapters are selected based on veteran density, employer density, project density, and the need for outreach.