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    About Veterans Grocery & Retail Institute (VGRI)

    About VGRI

    The Veterans Grocery & Retail Institute (VGRI) is a nonprofit, education-focused workforce development organization dedicated to supporting veterans as they transition into grocery and retail leadership pathways.

    Education-first model: flexible online learning that maps directly to real retail operations.
    Real-world exposure: potential future observational retail exposure; no weekly field visits are guaranteed.

    Mission

    To motivate, educate, and support veterans in pursuing grocery and retail leadership pathways by leveraging proven retail operating systems and real-world industry practices.

    Vision

    To become a nationally recognized nonprofit model for preparing veterans to transition successfully into grocery and retail leadership environments through practical education and operational exposure.

    Nonprofit Status

    Veterans Grocery & Retail Institute (VGRI) is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity. Federal EIN: 42-3978203. IRS determination dated August 3, 2026; federal exemption effective March 9, 2026. California nonprofit public benefit corporation, California Secretary of State entity number B20260329175.

    California Attorney General Registry of Charitable Trusts registration and California Franchise Tax Board exemption are pending. This website does not accept contributions; consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of any future gift.

    Official Website, Email & Programs

    Veterans Grocery & Retail Institute (VGRI) owns and operates vgri.org as its official website. Our official organizational email addresses use @vgri.org, including leo.torres@vgri.org. For program inquiries, email info@vgri.org.

    VGRI provides the Veteran Retail Leadership Accelerator, an online, self-paced 10-week education program (40 chapters, weekly written assignments, quizzes and a final exam) that prepares U.S. veterans for grocery and retail leadership pathways.

    Legal name: Veterans Grocery & Retail Institute · EIN 42-3978203 · California Secretary of State entity no. B20260329175

    Official email: info@vgri.orgBusiness / mailing address: 6104 Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 1022, Van Nuys, CA 91411, United States — mailing address only, not a walk-in campus or training site.

    Our Core Values — I SERVE

    At VGRI, leadership begins with service.

    I — Integrity: Do what is right, even when no one is watching.
    S — Service: Lead by serving veterans, customers, teams, and communities.
    E — Excellence: Set high standards and continuously improve.
    R — Respect: Treat every person with dignity and professionalism.
    V — Valor: Bring courage, discipline, and determination to every challenge.
    E — Empowerment: Develop people to become confident, capable leaders.

    Chairman/CEOLeo Torres, MBA

    WAFC Graduate

    Leo Torres is an accomplished grocery and retail operations leader with more than two decades of experience in store and multi-unit leadership, team development, sales performance, labor management, customer experience, shrink reduction, safety, compliance, and operational execution. He founded VGRI to help veterans translate military discipline, accountability, and leadership into successful civilian careers in grocery and retail.

    Leo Torres, Chairman/CEO, Veterans Grocery & Retail Institute

    Federal & Veteran Network Engagement

    Veterans Grocery & Retail Institute (VGRI) has applied to participate in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VetResources Community Network (VRCN), administered through the Veterans Experience Office (VEO).

    Application status is pending unless VGRI states otherwise; an application or future participation does not imply government affiliation, endorsement, funding, accreditation, or a grant award.

    Federal Registration

    • IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity · EIN 42-3978203
    • SAM.gov Unique Entity ID: UQJ4GZPN1TZ6
    • Federal funding registration information available upon request

    California Attorney General Registry of Charitable Trusts registration and California Franchise Tax Board exemption are pending. This website does not accept contributions; consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of any future gift. A SAM.gov identifier does not establish a grant award, current registration eligibility, or government endorsement.

    Nonprofit Transparency

    Veterans Grocery & Retail Institute (VGRI) is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity. Federal EIN: 42-3978203. IRS determination dated August 3, 2026; federal exemption effective March 9, 2026. California nonprofit public benefit corporation, California Secretary of State entity number B20260329175.

    California Attorney General Registry of Charitable Trusts registration and California Franchise Tax Board exemption are pending. This website does not accept contributions; consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of any future gift.

    Ask VGRI for current organizational and governance documentation, program availability, participant costs and support options, and credential-provider requirements. Registration identifiers and network participation do not establish accreditation, government endorsement, a grant award, or a retail partnership.

    No payment is collected on this website. Sponsorship and giving forms are inquiries only. VGRI does not currently list sponsors or partners, and no graduate, placement, or certification-issuance results are claimed.

    Request Current DocumentationRead Legal & Disclosures

    Program and transparency information reviewed November 13, 2026.

    VGRI logo
    Veterans Grocery & Retail Institute (VGRI)
    Online self-paced • Nationally accessible
    Main: (840) 213-0902info@vgri.org
    Business / Mailing Address
    6104 Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 1022Van Nuys, CA 91411United States
    Mailing address only — not a walk-in campus or training site.
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    Veterans Grocery & Retail Institute (VGRI) owns and operates vgri.org as its official website. Our official organizational email addresses use @vgri.org, including leo.torres@vgri.org. For program inquiries, email info@vgri.org. VGRI provides the Veteran Retail Leadership Accelerator, an online, self-paced 10-week education program (40 chapters, weekly written assignments, quizzes and a final exam) that prepares U.S. veterans for grocery and retail leadership pathways.

    IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity · EIN 42-3978203 · California nonprofit public benefit corporation (Secretary of State No. B20260329175). California charity registration and state tax exemption pending.

    VGRI is an independent nonprofit and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, or any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces unless expressly stated.

    VGRI programming is educational and workforce-development in nature. Completion does not guarantee employment, placement, licensure, college credit, or any other outcome. This website does not process payments. See our Legal & Disclosures, Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy. Last updated: November 13, 2026.