Today, there are strict rules governing how profits from Buddy Poppy sales are to be used at different levels within the organization. The National organization assesses a tax of three and one-half cents on every poppy sold to a state department. This tax is added to the cost of manufacturing and distributing the poppy. At the department level, an additional tax is normally added to the cost of the poppies it sells to the posts in its jurisdiction. This profit is used to fund department service work or other programs for the relief or well-being of VFW members.
Posts receive their profits from direct sale of the poppies to the public.
For the maintenance and expansion of the VFW National Home and other facilities devoted exclusively to the benefit and welfare of the dependents, widows, and orphans of disabled, needy, or deceased veterans or members of the Armed Forces. For necessary expenses in providing entertainment, care, and assistance to hospitalized veterans or members of the Armed Forces. For veterans' rehabilitation, welfare, and service work. To perpetuate the memory of deceased veterans and members of the Armed Forces, and to comfort survivors. To date, the VFW has sold over three quarters of a billion Buddy Poppies.