ANNAPOLIS, MD– February 21, 2025 – ThunderYard Solutions, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), in partnership with the Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families (DVMF), has successfully launched a modernized grants management system using Salesforce to improve the application process.
Since going live on August 26, 2024, The Veterans Trust Fund Grant Application System has already distributed over $500,000 in financial assistance, benefitting more than 70 Maryland Veterans and their families in urgent need of support for expenses such as rent, mortgage payments, and utility bills.
Streamlining Access to Critical Support
Prior to this new system’s launch, the grants application process was entirely manual, time-intensive, and unable to meet increasing demand, which ultimately led to a temporary pause in processing applications. ThunderYard Solutions designed and deployed a custom Salesforce-based grants management system, automating key functions such as application intake, workflow tracking, and reporting. This transformation dramatically increased efficiency, reduced administrative burdens, and ensured long-term sustainability for this vital program.
“This innovative solution has allowed us to reduce administrative burdens for our staff and clients, which allows the Veterans Trust Fund to support Maryland military families more effectively,” said Heather Geraldes, Executive Director for the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund. “Thanks to ThunderYard Solutions, we now have a streamlined, efficient system that allows us to provide critical financial assistance faster and more efficiently. It’s not just about technology—it’s about making a tangible difference in the lives of those who served our country.”
“We are proud to support the Maryland Department of Veteran & Military Families in their mission to assist those who have given so much for our country,” said Larry van der Oord, ThunderYard CEO and Veteran. “By modernizing this grant management process, we’ve helped create a more efficient, transparent, and scalable system that ensures Veterans and their families receive the financial support they need when they need it most. From the start of the project, it was obvious that the DVMF team prioritizes those they serve. This is the kind of meaningful work that drives us every day.”
With this successful implementation, the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund is now better equipped to provide ongoing financial assistance to Veterans in need, ensuring a more sustainable and impactful future for the program.
About ThunderYard Solutions
ThunderYard Solutions (SDVOSB), is a leading provider of innovative technology solutions for public and private sector organizations. Specializing in Low Code/No Code development, cloud solutions, data analytics, and process automation, ThunderYard empowers agencies to modernize their operations and deliver mission-critical services and outcomes more effectively.
About the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund
The Maryland Veterans Trust Fund is a core service of the Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families, led by the Department Secretary and an eleven-member Board of Trustees. Established through the state legislature in 2013, it provides once-in-a-lifetime temporary financial assistance and referral services to support veterans and their families.
Not Yet a Premium Partner/Sponsor? Learn more about the OS AI Premium Corporate and Individual Plans here. Plans start at $295 annually.
