CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1956, a non-profit 501(c)(19) organization
MEETING DATE: September 17, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Kori Jones, Senior Management Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Mariana Mitchell, Community Services Director APPROVED BY: Armando G. Villa, City Manager
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1956, a non-profit 501(c)(19) organization dba Menifee Post No. 1956 Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(19) organization / 1956 – Menifee Post Veterans of Foreign Wars, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(19) organization (VFW) for the collaboration of related community programs through June 30, 2030.
DISCUSSION
The Community Services Department (CSD) has worked with the VFW to formalize a partnership for related community programming. The VFW is a nationally recognized organization dedicated to provide support and services to veterans, active and reserve military, their families, and community. Its goals are to raise public awareness of those who have sacrificed daily for our freedom and provide an active way to honor them. The VFW also raises funds to distribute to non-profit groups which support the military community as well as inspires patriotism in local youth by educating them on the history of American freedom. The Menifee 1956 VFW Post primarily supports veterans within Menifee and surrounding areas.
CSD seeks to formalize a partnership with the VFW which establishes a framework to support veterans, promote civic engagement, and leverage resources of both organizations to produce quality programs for the public. This partnership supports the Community Engagement and Social Infrastructure and Unique Identity Strategic Plan Priorities adopted by City Council in 2023.
The City currently has similar MOU partnerships related to community programming with Lake Menifee Women’s Club, Menifee Arts Council, Menifee Valley Community Cupboard, and Perris Union High School District. Under the proposed MOU partnership, the VFW would continue to
City of Menifee Staff Report
Memorandum of Understanding with Menifee Valley Historical Association September 17, 2025
2 8
3 9
collaborate primarily with the CSD teams which oversee Veterans Services, Cultural Arts, Citywide Special Events, and Senior Programs. Highlights of the proposed MOU, which has a term of 5 years, have been highlighted below.
Menifee Post No. 1956 Veterans of Foreign Wars MOU Highlights:
Event support for City-sponsored Veterans Day Ceremony, Memorial Day Ceremony, and Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Events
Sponsorship components of related veterans programming Use of City facilities up to 10 hours for two annual VFW events per fiscal year Public outreach and communication activities of both organizations Collaboration on potential grant programs
Meeting collaboration and communication
Per the terms of the agreement, at any time either party may choose to terminate this MOU with ninety (90) days prior written notice.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Community Engagement and Social Infrastructure
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action. However, partnership in future grant applications can potentially lead to an increase in grant revenues in future fiscal years to support related programs and events. Additionally, the in-kind sponsorship provided by CSD for the use of a facility is expected to be offset by volunteer assistance in producing collaborative events.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Memorandum of Understanding