National Volunteer Month: Explore the benefits of giving back to these 14 military and Veteran-friendly nonprofits

2022-04-13T15:38:03-04:00

Research shows that when we volunteer, we feel better mentally and physically, are happier, have more self-esteem, are less depressed and are more satisfied with life.

There’s no better time to be reminded of the benefits of giving back than in April, which is National Volunteer Month. And volunteer opportunities abound at military- and Veteran-friendly nonprofits, many of which are among the 465 organizations recently endorsed and funded by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, whose latest donation totaled $3.9 billion.

In choosing which groups would receive a share of the allocation, Scott said in a March 23 Medium post that she drew on “heartening evidence that supporting the capacity of all people to be heard leads to better outcomes for all.” In almost every case, the nonprofits highlighted here reported that Scott’s grant represented the largest single donation in its history.

“If you’re looking for a way to serve humanity’s common cause,” Scott said of the grantees, “every one of them is a great candidate.”

Below, view the organizations’ names and missions, the size of Scott’s gift, and potential ways to volunteer. In addition, get ready for RallyPoint’s VetServe 2022 live event and National Day of Service on April 21 by sharing your service success stories at https://rly.pt/3JhrhYz

14 Military- and Veteran-Friendly Nonprofits with Volunteer Opportunities

1. Blue Star Families (https://bluestarfam.org)
Mission: Founded by military spouses, Blue Star Families conducts research and programs that support the all-volunteer military. Programs focus on developing careers of military spouses, strengthening families and providing peer support for caregivers of service members.
Size of Scott’s recent gift: $10 million.
Potential volunteer opportunities: Both military and civilians can volunteer. The organization says volunteers to Blue Star Families donated hours of time valued at more than $1.66 million.
Details: Explore how to get involved at https://bluestarfam.org/join.

2. Bob Woodruff Foundation (https://bobwoodrufffoundation.org)
Mission: The Bob Woodruff Foundation — founded in 2006, after the ABC News reporter was wounded while covering the war in Iraq — supports programs related to mental health, caregiver support, food insecurity and service-connected fertility issues for Veterans and service members and their families.
Size of Scott’s recent gift: $15 million.
Potential volunteer opportunities: Look into volunteer opportunities through the foundation’s Got Your 6 local partner network at https://bobwoodrufffoundation.org/got-your-6-network.
Details: Explore applying to become a Got Your 6 partner at https://bobwoodrufffoundation.org/got-your-6-network.

3. Headstrong Project (https://getheadstrong.org)
Mission: The national organization provides free, confidential mental health treatment to active and reserve service members and Veterans, and their family members, for issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and anger management.
Size of Scott’s recent gift: $10 million.
Potential volunteer opportunities: The organization lists several ways individuals can lend their time to support the mission, including by hosting Facebook fundraisers to end death by suicide among Veterans and to help heal wounds of war or by purchasing bags of coffee, proceeds from the sales of which are donated to Veteran-related causes. Visit https://getheadstrong.org/become-a-supporter.
Details: Explore how to become a clinical partner at https://getheadstrong.org/clinician-network.

4. Hire Heroes USA (https://www.hireheroesusa.org)
Mission: Hire Heroes USA offers employment services to service members, Veterans and military spouses around the world.
Size of Scott’s recent gift: $11 million.
Potential volunteer opportunities: Hire Heroes USA needs volunteers across a number of areas, especially from sectors such as state and federal law enforcement, information technology, emergency management, operations and logistics, health care and video game design. Volunteer to serve as a mentor to help military and Veteran jobseekers network and interview for civilian careers. Host a fundraising event to benefit Hire Our Heroes. Speak with military spouses and Veterans interested in working in the federal sector. Or serve on a webinar speakers’ panel.
Details: Explore your ideal volunteer opportunity at https://www.hireheroesusa.org/volunteer.

5. Housing Assistance Council (HAC, https://ruralhome.org)
Mission: HAC is a national nonprofit that supports affordable housing efforts in rural America, including for rural and tribal Veterans. The organization provides below-market housing financing and community development and training and technical assistance to community-based organizations that serve rural areas. The organization’s Affordable Housing for Rural Veterans (AHRV) initiative (https://ruralhome.org/rural-veterans-and-local-nonprofits-receive-critical-housing-support-2021) provides grants to Veteran-serving housing nonprofits to rehabilitate and repair Veterans’ homes, build housing for Veterans who are homeless and make homes more accessible to Veterans with disabilities.
Size of Scott’s recent gift: $7 million.
Potential volunteer opportunities: Use HAC’s technical assistance resources at https://ruralhome.org/our-work/technical-assistance/technical-assistance-services to build the capacity of a rural Veteran-serving organization.
Details: Explore other ways to support HAC at https://ruralhome.org/about-hac/impact.

6. National Rural Health Association (NHRA, https://www.ruralhealth.us)
Mission: The NRHA advocates on behalf of the health equity of those living in rural areas, including Veterans, through organizing, communications, education and research. A key Veteran-focused program is the NRHA Rural Veterans Health Initiative.
Size of Scott’s recent gift: $7 million.
Potential volunteer opportunities: Explore ways to get involved in advocacy efforts at https://www.ruralhealth.us/advocate.
Details: Visit the HRHA Rural Health Coalitions page at https://www.ruralhealth.us/advocate/rural-health-coalitions.

7. Operation Homefront (OH, https://operationhomefront.org)
Mission: OH provides relief, resilience and recurring family and housing support to help Veterans and military families become more stable and secure. Through the OH Veteran Caregiver Support program, the organization also assists the spouses and caregivers of wounded warriors.
Size of Scott’s recent gift: $20 million.
Potential volunteer opportunities: The organization says it has more than 4,000 volunteers supporting its mission. Join as an individual to be part of the Operation Homefront “Reserve Corps” of volunteers, and serve at the events of your choosing. There are also corporate volunteer opportunities. The nonprofit said that in 2021 its volunteers donated 96,600 hours of support, valued at $2.4 million. Learn more about volunteer opportunities at https://operationhomefront.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Volunteer_FAQs_0820.pdf.
Details: Explore more about volunteering at https://operationhomefront.org/volunteer.

8. Student Veterans of America (SVA, https://studentveterans.org)
Mission: Through its network of more than 1,500 on-campus chapters in all 50 states and three countries overseas representing more than 750,000 student Veterans, this organization connects Veteran and military-affiliated students with chapter leaders who support them in achieving their full potential.
Size of Scott’s recent gift: $8 million.
Potential volunteer opportunities: Look into volunteering at the chapter level at https://studentveterans.org/chapters/find-a-chapter.
Details: Explore more about SVA chapters at https://studentveterans.org/chapters.

9. Team Red, White and Blue (https://www.teamrwb.org)
Mission: This nonprofit supports Veterans’ well-being by offering in-person and virtual opportunities to build healthier lifestyles.
Size of Scott’s recent gift: $6 million.
Potential volunteer opportunities: Volunteer to plan special events or lead regular activities at https://about.teamrwb.org/volunteer.
Details: Explore the “Get Involved” button at https://about.teamrwb.org.

10. Team Rubicon (https://teamrubiconusa.org)
Mission: Team Rubicon provides Veterans with the opportunity to continue to serve by connecting them with volunteer engagements in disaster relief, community building and humanitarian service.
Size of Scott’s recent gift: $7 million.
Potential volunteer opportunities: Volunteer to serve on a Veteran-led team at https://teamrubiconusa.org/volunteer.
Details: Learn more about the volunteer-centric mission at https://teamrubiconusa.org/mission.

11. The Mission Continues (https://www.missioncontinues.org)
Mission: The organization links Veteran volunteers with nonprofit partners and community leaders to improve educational resources, address food insecurity, foster neighborhood identity and tackle other pressing problems.
Size of Scott’s recent gift: $10 million.
Potential volunteer opportunities: The organization boasts a 93,600-strong network of volunteers who engage in service projects around the country. Volunteers mostly serve in one of 65 nationwide Veteran-led “Service Platoons.” Platoons conduct school- and community-based projects and engage in social events. Learn more at https://www.missioncontinues.org/service-platoons.
Details: Explore other ways to get involved at https://www.missioncontinues.org/get-involved.

12. Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP, https://www.warrior-scholar.org)
Mission: WSP empowers Veterans and service members to excel at four-year universities.
Size of Scott’s recent gift: $5 million.
Potential volunteer opportunities: Get involved by referring a Veteran to the program at https://www.warrior-scholar.org/refer-a-veteran.
Details: Explore other ways to support the organization at https://www.warrior-scholar.org/donate.

13. Workshops for Warriors (https://wfw.org)
Mission: This nonprofit provides Veterans, transitioning service members and other students with training; accredited science, technology, education and math programs; and other opportunities to earn national credentials that lead to manufacturing careers.
Size of Scott’s recent gift: n/a.
Potential volunteer opportunities: Explore partnership opportunities at https://wfw.org/our-partners/#becomeapartner.
Details: Explore the “support” area for other ways to support the organization at https://wfw.org.

14. Wounded Warrior Project (WWP, http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org)
Mission: WWP cares for those whose service-related physical or mental injury, illness or wound occurred on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Some family member or caregivers of wounded warriors are also eligible for services.
Size of Scott’s recent gift: $15 million.
Potential volunteer opportunities: A key way to support the organization and its members is by join its Alumni program. Learn more at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/alumni.
Details: Explore more ways to get involved at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/give-back.

Learn more

Follow Mackenzie Scott on Medium at https://mackenzie-scott.medium.com.

3JhrhYz

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Apr 21 at 2022 7:28 PM

2022-04-21T19:28:41-04:00

Thanks for sharing.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 25 at 2022 9:49 PM

2022-04-25T21:49:00-04:00

I like random acts of kindness.