Are We Ready For The Decline Of Veteran And Military Nonprofits?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 08:11:31 -0500

Are We Ready For The Decline Of Veteran And Military Nonprofits?

A new report reveals some startling trends about funding for veterans and military-specific nonprofits.

What do you think RP Members? Can we afford a decline in Non-Profit Organizations that provide help for Veterans?

Here are five key takeaways from the report, which provide enlightening answers while also leaving unanswered a host of questions.

http://taskandpurpose.com/are-we-ready-for-the-decline-of-veteran-and-military-nonprofits/

When you work in the veterans community, you get used to uncertainty. You don’t know how many veterans commit suicide every day. You don’t know which veterans and military family programs are the most effective. And you are never sure if the United States really needs 40,000-plus veterans nonprofits. The lack of clear, consistent data is a recurring theme.

In one small way, that is now changing. Last week, the Center for a New American Security released “Charting the Sea of Goodwill,” which attempts to provide data-driven insights into the state of veteran and military philanthropy in the U.S. The report’s authors — Phillip Carter and Katherine Kidder — mined data from the IRS and other authoritative sources to provide a fuller picture of the nation’s veteran and military nonprofits.

“Charting The Sea Of Goodwill,” conducts a comprehensive landscape analysis of the military and veteran-service organization space and its funding sources, and finds that while the support needed by more than 21 million veterans in America is growing, philanthropic support is fragmented and charitable contributions are not keeping pace. The authors of the report provide a comprehensive overview of the state of philanthropy for the military and veteran community from 2001 until now.

A new report reveals some startling trends about funding for veterans and military-specific nonprofits.

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Dec 16 at 2015 8:14 AM

PO2 Mark Saffell — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 08:14:17 -0500

Doesn't this tend to happen in waves with lows and highs depending on what forces are ingaged in around the world? When I was in back in the mid 70's I would have guessed this to be a very low point. The military where looked down on back then.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Dec 16 at 2015 9:00 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 09:00:39 -0500

No we are not ready and we definitely can't afford a decline in support of our veterans!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 16 at 2015 9:49 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 09:49:20 -0500

The "fortunes," appeal, and influence of military and veteran non-profits tend to rise and decline with the public view of the military and the nation's use of military forces as an extension of foreign policy COL Mikel J. Burroughs. In the past 50 years we have seen unpopular wars, RIFs, military investment including pay declining and then catching up during the POTUS Reagan and later the POTUS GW Bush years.
THe best and surest help for veterans are friends, family, churches & synagogues, and employment. There are some dedicated non-profits such as American Legion, DAV, and VFW which have stood the test of time. I expect they will weather the storm and continue to provides service to veterans along with other VSOs.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 16 at 2015 10:11 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 10:11:51 -0500

I suspect that all nonprofits are suffering. Ever since the government took over the function of dispensing "charity" and disrupted the economy with excessive growth in deficit spending, the charitable nature of America's citizens has been tarnished. We are no longer the "most giving" nation in the world (unless, of course, you count welfare as charity). Fortunately, I see small nonprofits springing up in my community focused on helping active duty military as well as veterans. These smaller, more agile groups tend to be less top heavy and more of their receipts are applied to the needs of beneficiaries rather than paying exorbitant salaries of CEOs.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Dec 16 at 2015 10:32 AM

MAJ Alvin B. — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 10:32:58 -0500

I suspect the answer is no. However, it has also happened before. As time goes on, we move onward (if not forward) from the current wars and the Nation's attentions will move on as well. The USO has survived, but not without its own troubles over the decades. Many veteran support organizations have come and gone, while some have survived (American Legion, VFW, etc...). Consolidation, collapse, and change will occur. Donations will fall off, even if the needs do not.

Response by SSG Michael Scott made Dec 16 at 2015 10:42 AM

SSG Michael Scott — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 10:42:44 -0500

No, we are not.

Response by SMSgt Bryan Raines made Dec 16 at 2015 11:02 AM

SMSgt Bryan Raines — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 11:02:34 -0500

As a Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces Specialist in the Dallas Metro Area I see this happening. More and more services are being curtailed leaving the remaining non-profits to try to pick up the slack. These agencies now have to devote more of their time to fundraising than they did before. The vets suffer in the long run.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Dec 16 at 2015 11:30 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 11:30:25 -0500

It is the non-profits that do the lion's share of caring for disabled vets. It is the VSOs and other similar organizations that influence CONgress the most.

No, we can't afford it... I belong to a number of them...

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2015 11:53 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 11:53:52 -0500

it is out of out hands...

Response by Anita Nowocin made Dec 16 at 2015 12:46 PM

Anita Nowocin — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 12:46:16 -0500

When Carry Me Productions offered to work collaboratively with other organizations to help those who are experiencing homelessness and rescue animals, the only organizations to reach out to us were Veteran based.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 16 at 2015 3:51 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 15:51:18 -0500

The inefficient, predatory, and fake foundations have ruined it for me.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2015 10:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 22:18:09 -0500

After I read a report, which now I can't find again, that claimed the WWP spent a staggering percentage of their money on advertising and inflated salaries, I have been weary of non-profits.
It touched on how the WWP actually goes after the smaller non-profits for everything from having a similar name to a similar logo. I dont feel a company with the goal of helping veterans should attack another company with the same goal if its about the veterans and not the money...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2015 11:21 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 23:21:25 -0500

It will open the door for needed "Profit" organizations that are capable of providing services where DoD falls short.
- feel free to disagree, although commercial opportunities always emerge to fill gaps.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Dec 17 at 2015 7:16 AM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 07:16:52 -0500

The unfortunate side effect of any charitable endeavor are the many scam artists who prey on those who want to help as well as those who need the help. Then there are those organizations who are making a difference. I review "Charity Navigator" as one site to provide details that are otherwise not published. For example, if one wants to help wounded warriors, the WWP has an overall rating of 84.52% and 3 stars, but 4 other programs are in excess of 91%, with one being 99.20% and all with 4 stars. Of course WWP is carrying a surplus of over $94 million, although there are many wounded warriors needing assistance, just saying.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Dec 19 at 2015 8:40 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 08:40:51 -0500

I read this report COL Mikel J. Burroughs, and - even after working for a national nonprofit serving the military - have to agree with the conclusion that we need to accept the, to use an economics term, "necessary destruction," of the abundance of military/veteran nonprofits. The competition for $$ is too stiff, donor fatigue is occurring, and the ability to discern just which organizations are making the best use of contributions is becoming more difficult. Brand names - whether it's the USO or WWP or IAVA - are going to slowly pull more and more money from the smaller nonprofits and we'll then see a pecking order set in for the foreseeable future.