ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today) for Military Families
ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!), is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to raise awareness and provide treatment services to families that cannot afford the treatments and services their children require. Recognizing the extraordinary challenges military families experience (waging a battle on two fronts...one for their country and another for their children), ACT Today! for Military Families is a dedicated fund to assist military families impacted by autism. ACT Today! for Military Families works to improve awareness and delivery of effective autism services, and provides financial assistance to military families to help defray out-of-pocket costs associated with autism treatments and other quality of life programs.
Auto repair
Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront's Critical Financial Assistance program helps military families address critical financial shortfalls. Most often, this means assistance with mortgage payments, rent, utilities, car repairs, home repairs, overdue bills, critical baby items, and groceries. Learn more - LINK
Ball gowns
Armed Services YMCA (Camp Pendleton, CA)
Each September the Armed Services YMCA holds an annual Ball Gown Giveaway to provide evening gowns for the ladies to attend the Navy and Marine Corps Birthday Balls.
Following the event, the remaining gowns and accessories are shared with Twenty-nine Palms, Miramar, MCRD San Diego, and Yuma for their separate events.
Belle of the Ball Project (Clearwater, FL area)
Belle of the Ball Project is a nonprofit organization that provides homecoming, prom, and military ball dresses to in-need, low-income high school girls.
The 5,000 sq. ft. permanent Belle of the Ball boutique is a beautiful store-like setting, with over 3,000 dresses in inventory. The charity, now in its second decade of serving girls, welcomes all financially needy girls to get a dress regardless of where they live.
Dresses are available to all in-need, high school girls for their high school dances (prom, homecoming, military ball ). We respect the honor system. No referral letter is necessary. No appointment needed. A $1 to $5 donation is requested but not required.
Donations of dresses and accessories can be made at 39 convenient year-round donation sites (including ALL Sun Country Cleaners locations). Large sized dresses are the biggest need (size 18-26).
Operation Deploy Your Dress
Operation Deploy Your Dress is a 100% donation based, volunteer run, military spouse founded nonprofit providing free formal wear to US military ID holders in order to defray the cost of balls and galas while still maintaining their rich tradition.
USO Operation That's My Dress
Teenage girls headed to their proms and military wives headed to formal gatherings all face a common challenge: what to wear. USO Operation That’s My Dress is a star-studded event that gives military teens, female service members and spouses the chance to pick out a brand new gown or cocktail dress from some of the most recognizable names in fashion.
Free Cakes for Kids Killeen (services Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Kempner, Lampasas, Ft. Hood and Killeen, TX area)
Free Cakes for Kids is based on the belief that every child deserves a special birthday cake! "When families are severely stressed financially, sometimes it is a choice between a birthday gift or birthday cake." Free Cakes for Kids makes sure families never have to make that choice!
We service the following areas: Ft. Hood, Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove in Texas. The majority of our volunteers are some way or another affilated with the military.
Free Cakes for Kids Southsound (services Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA area)
Gorgo's Boxes
Gorgo's Boxes is a paw-it-forward project that began with the kindness of a caregiver within the Warfighter Community. Gorgo's Boxes is simply a tool to connect Warfighter families in need.
1. Gather up a box of clothes you want to share with a Warfighter family.
2. Let us know what you have! (Girls size 7/8 jeans and shirts, pajamas, etc.)
3. We will put a message out and find just the right Warfighter Family that is happy to receive the box of clothing with a family member of that size.
4. We pass the shipping details to the ANONYMOUS family sharing the box to ship it to.
5. The ANONYMOUS family marks the box Gorgo's Boxes in the FROM field. Someone creative in the house adds cool artwork to the outside of the box! (Maybe a rendition of Gorgo's paw print in PURPLE, her favorite color)
6. Slip an inspirational ANONYMOUS note inside.
7. Take a photo (make sure the shipping address doesn't show!) and we will post it!
8. The RECEIVING family gets a cool box filled with clothes and sometimes little things like toys (Matchbox cars, pretty pencils, etc. that no one was using)
9. The RECEIVING family posts/PM's a note of thanks and maybe even photos that can be shared publicly or privately to the anonymous sender.
Project New Hope Inc.'s Baby Pantry (Worcester, Massachusetts)
The mission of our Baby Pantries is to offer assistance for military families in need of items to raise happy, healthy children. Our Baby Pantries are stocked with all brand new items, including clothing (size newborn to 5T), diapers, nursery essentials, baby food, formula and hygiene products.
Our Baby Pantries are open to all military personnel – Active Duty, Reserves, Guard, honorably discharged or retired veterans and their spouses with proper dependent ID. Families may come in once per month to shop free of charge for their immediate children.
SGT Leevon Ritter Support Your Troops Resale Center (Killeen, TX)
The Sgt Leevon Ritter Support Your Troops Resale Center provides a food pantry, clothes, household items, basic need items and more for little to no cost. We offer this assistance with no requirement other than our military be serving honorably or our veterans did serve honorably. We offer assistance for deployed, non deployed, injured, non-injured and more.
Operation Reconnect (Operation Once in a Lifetime)
With the generosity of our supporters, our Operation Reconnect programs provides computers to military families, providing them the means to stay in touch across the miles.
Tech for Troops Project (Central Virginia)
Tech For Troops Project provides refurbished computers to veterans, enabling them to connect with employers and develop essential computer skills. We hire veterans and provide technical training, keep usable computers out of the landfill, and recycle electronics in an environmentally sustainable way.
Dentistry
A Soldier's Smile
The A Soldier's Smile events are philanthropic cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures given to U.S. soldiers in need of professional dental care. Our troops deserve a reason to smile and participating dentists from the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics (ACE) will be providing the necessary cosmetic and restorative dental care to select troops to reach this goal and to show our nations appreciation for their time spent serving our great country. The soldiers will be receiving treatments at individual ACE cosmetic dental practices across the nation and the coverage will be fueled by local and national media outlets to promote awareness.
Northern Nevada Dental Health Program (Nevada)
Providing no-cost to low-cost dental care for children and veterans who need it most.
Operation Full Support (Operation Once in a Lifetime)
Sometimes life throws a curve ball and creates a need that may not fit perfectly within any other Special Ops. That's when Operation Full Support kicks in. Operation Once in a Lifetime was created with the belief that we will never tell a soldier "no." With your help, Operation Full Support assists with rent, utilities, food, clothing, dental care and more.
National Military Family Association
The National Military Family Association recognizes the unique challenges today’s military spouses face in pursuing additional training or education. Frequent moves make it difficult to complete programs and establish a career. We are here to help ease the financial obstacles that accompany pursuing a higher education.
The Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarships are awarded to spouses of all Uniformed Services members: Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve, Retirees, Survivors.
The scholarship funds may be used for tuition, fees, and school room and board for:
- GED or ESL
- Vocational training
- Professional certification
- Post-secondary
- Graduate school
- In-class or on-line
- Full-time or part-time
Operation Education (Operation Once in a Lifetime)
Operation Education provides grants for service members, veterans and their families for schools.
Thanks USA
ThanksUSA is a non-partisan, charitable effort to mobilize Americans of all ages to "thank" the men and women of the United States armed forces. We're doing that by providing college, technical and vocational school scholarships for their children and spouses.
Military OneSource
Log into Military OneSource for information on where to find help if you are unable to pay housing, medical, legal, or other expenses. Site includes:
- What to do in a financial emergency
- Getting help with housing and utility bills
- Getting help with food and meal expenses
- Finding medical care and getting help with medical expenses
- Getting help for a legal emergency
9-1-1 Veterans (Long Island, NY)
9-1-1 Veterans is a small non-profit organization dedicated to assisting Long Island's veterans. We provide emergency financial assistance to those who have served in - or are still serving in - the finest military in the world.
Our current emphasis has not only been on those service men and women who participated in the global war on terrorism, but all military veterans from all eras.
Air Force Aid Society
The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the United States Air Force, incorporated in 1942 as a private, non-profit organization. For over 68 years, the Air Force Aid Society has supported the Air Force mission by providing worldwide emergency assistance, sponsoring education assistance programs and offering an array of base community enhancement programs that improve quality of life for Airmen and their families.
American Legion Family Support Network
The American Legion's Family Support Network is ready to provide immediate assistance to service personnel and families whose lives have been directly affected by America's war on terror.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross works under partnership agreements with the Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society to provide quality, reliable financial assistance to eligible applicants 24/7/365. Types of assistance include financial assistance for emergency travel, burial of a loved one, assistance to avoid privation, etc.
America Serves (Syracuse University - Institute for Veterans & Military Families)
AmericaServes is the country’s first coordinated network of organizations dedicated to serving the military community by connecting them to the resources specific to their unique needs.
Arizona Military Family Relief Fund
Arizona Dept. of Veterans' Services - The Arizona Military Family Relief Fund was created by the Arizona State Legislature in 2007 to assist the families of service members and Post 9/11 veterans who are experiencing a financial hardship as a result of their service in a combat zone.
Armed Services YMCA (Camp Pendleton,CA)
Temporary Emergency Assistance Program - This program focuses on junior enlisted families (Sergeant E-5 and below with children) for short term emergency financial support with food and gas gift cards to respond to short term emergency situations.
Armed Services YMCA (San Diego, CA)
Our Urgent Needs Support services are geared towards helping active duty junior enlisted service members and their families that have not already received support at our Naval Medical Center office during a financial emergency. If your family is experiencing a financial crisis and you need assistance for basic food items or gas for work, you may be eligible to access our Urgent Needs Emergency Food and Gas Program. Call now to speak with a Social Worker to find out what resources are available to you.
Army Emergency Relief
Army Emergency Relief is a private nonprofit organization incorporated in 1942 by the Secretary of War and the Army Chief of Staff. AER's sole mission is to help soldiers and their dependents.
AER is the Army's own emergency financial assistance organization and is dedicated to "Helping the Army Take Care of Its Own". AER provides commanders a valuable asset in accomplishing their basic command responsibility for the morale and welfare of soldiers.
AER funds are made available to commanders having AER Sections to provide emergency financial assistance to soldiers - active & retired - and their dependents when there is a valid need. AER funds made available to commanders are not limited and are constrained only by the requirement of valid need. For these reasons, the AER assistance program is conducted within the Army structure by major commanders and their installation/organization commanders through AER sections and other related organizations.
Army Reserve - Fort Family Outreach and Support
Fort Family provides a single gateway to responsive Family Crisis Assistance, available 24/7, 365 days a year. It provides a unit and community-based solution to connect people to people. By pinpointing families-in-need and local community resources, the Fort Family Outreach and Support Center can quickly connect the Soldier family and resources thus providing installation-commensurate services in the geographic location of the crisis. Fort Family Outreach and Support Center has established a community-based capacity by engaging our Nation's "Sea of Goodwill" to support Soldiers and families closest to where they live.
Receive Information and Referral from Fort Family Outreach and Support for needs such as:
- Temporary Housing
- Emergency Funds
- Disaster Relief
- Debt Management
- Emergency Home Repair
- Assistance with locating nearest installation
- Separation or Coping issues
- Information on how to find a CAC office
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) is the official relief society of the U.S. Coast Guard. CGMA is a non-profit charitable organization established to provide financial aid to the entire Coast Guard family. While CGMA works closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, it is an independent corporation. Its mission is to promote the financial stability and general well being of Coast Guard people through interest-free loans, grants, and financial counseling.
CGMA provides essential financial aid to the entire Coast Guard family, primarily through interest-free loans, grants, and financial counseling. Established and operated by Coast Guard people for Coast Guard people, CGMA provides a way to extend compassion to one another in times of need. It serves as a vital financial safety net, promoting financial stability and general well being, fostering high morale and encouraging a sense of loyalty to the Coast Guard.
Final Salute Inc. (Female veterans)
The mission of Final Salute Inc. is to provide homeless female veterans with safe and suitable housing.
The H.O.M.E Program provides transitional housing and housing subsidy assistance to homeless female veterans and their children. The H.O.M.E Program focuses on integrating veterans back into their local communities and providing vast, safe residential areas to choose from. Our H.O.M.E Program is a collaboration with our resource partners that includes targeted supportive services to assist female Veterans in reaching their goals.
The purpose of S.A.F.E is to prevent homelessness by easing financial hardships.
S.A.F.E will provide rent, deposit and utility assistance to all female veterans and U.S. military reserve component service members via an interest free loan.
Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation (Georgia)
The Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation provides emergency relief assistance to the members and families of the Georgia National Guard and federal/state civilian employees of the Georgia Department of Defense.
Helping Heroes Home (Cell Phones for Soldiers)
Helping Heroes Home provides one-time emergency grants to aid veterans making the transition back into civilian life. Since July 2012, thanks to our donors, we've helped more than 3,100 veterans overcome communication challenges and physical, emotional and assimilation hardships with communication services, imperative car repairs, rent payment to avoid eviction and more.
H.E.R.O.E.S. Care
H.E.R.O.E.S. Care is an affiliation of program partners working together to provide support to military families in the communities where they live. H.E.R.O.E.S. Care combines the power of national organizations dedicated to providing emergency financial aid, employment opportunities, and mental health care services through a network of specially trained care givers before, during, and after deployment.
Heroes in Action (Toledo, OH)
Heroes in Action is a military outreach organization based out of Toledo, Ohio. We are committed to supporting our service members, veterans and their families. We are also support for the families with personal needs, housing and auto repairs, food baskets, newborn baskets, blankets for the wounded and whatever else we are able to do. We work with many other organizations to help educate, prepare and equip families with benefit information and emotional issues that may occur with service members.
Home Front Military Network (Colorado)
The mission of Home Front Military Network is to connect military service members, veterans and their families to resources offered by our trusted community partners and to provide emergency financial assistance.
Illinois Military Family Relief Fund (Illinois)
The Illinois Military Family Relief Fund (IMFRF) provides monetary grants to families of Illinois National Guard members and Illinois residents serving in the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve components who were called to active duty as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
IMFRF grants are intended to help service members and their families defray the costs of food, housing, utilities, medical services, and other expenses that become difficult to afford when a wage-earner has temporarily left civilian employment to be placed on active military duty
Infinite Warrior Foundation (Knoxville, TN)
Infinite Warrior Foundation (IWF) is dedicated to improving the lives and bridging the gap of unmet needs and assistance to veterans of all eras, physically and psychologically injured while serving our country
Lead the Way Fund
Lead the Way Fund, Inc. is a non-profit organization established to raise funds in support of disabled U.S. Army Rangers and the families of Rangers who have died, have been injured or are currently serving in harm’s way around the world. Lead the Way Fund, Inc. will provide spouses and children of deceased, disabled or active duty Rangers with assistance for health and wellness programs and other services determined to be vital to the family’s well-being.
Michigan Bikers Helping Veterans (Michigan)
The Michigan Bikers Helping Veterans (MBHV) is a registered non profit charity that receives donated funds to distribute in Michigan to provide assistance to deserving families of the fallen and/or wounded service personnel, or veterans in critical financial need.
Michigan National Guard Family Program (Michigan)
Your first step to financial assistance, the Michigan National Guard Family Fund, Inc., provides for up to a $500 grant to soldiers and airmen and their family members who encounter financial hardships as a result of deployments, military injuries, or just hard times.
The Michigan National Guard Family Fund was created to assist Air and Army National Guard families who experience financial difficulties with temporary emergency financial assistance, and to fund programs and training to maintain and improve the quality of life of our Michigan National Guard families.
What constitutes a need? Emergency loss of income through activation for military duty, inability to maintain employment due to injury or sudden illness, or job loss; unexpected medical expenses; pay problems; or the accumulation of legitimate bills (e.g. rent, mortgage, electric, oil, gas, etc.). Inability to pay for basic needs: food, shelter, utilities, clothing, medical bills, and transportation due to unforeseen circumstances. Applications are required to be submitted with the necessary documentation.
Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (Michigan)
The Michigan Veterans Trust Fund provides emergency grants to Michigan veterans and dependent family members to help them weather short-term financial crisis.
Military Assistance Mission (Arizona)
Providing financial and morale aid to our current Arizona active duty military, their families and wounded warriors regardless of overseas deployment status.
Military Brats Inc Veteran Relief Fund
The goal of the Veteran Relief Fund is simple: To provide assistance to the men and women that have sacrificed so much to protect our freedom. We aim to provide emergency funds to our nations vets to help cover those unexpected hardships of life including but not limited to hardship caused by a job loss, auto repair, groceries, past due utility bills, rent assistance, and more! Many other programs exist for our veterans, but most of their requirements make it nearly impossible to receive assistance.
Military Family Assistance Fund (Louisiana)
The Military Family Assistance Fund (MFA) can provide financial support to Louisiana veterans and their families when they experience financial hardships. Certain criteria applies. In order to receive funds through MFA, a completed application must be submitted to LDVA including all required supporting documentation. MFA can pay up to $10,000.00 for one claim per active-duty order in a twelve-month period.
Military Family Relief Fund (Indiana)
The Military Family Relief Fund emergency grant may be used by the families for needs such as food, housing, utilities, medical services, transportation and other essential family support expenses which have become difficult to afford. A grant up to $2,500 may be awarded.
Modest Needs
Modest Needs is a national nonprofit empowering member of the general public to make small, emergency grants to low-income workers who are at risk of slipping into poverty.
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society can provide interest-free loans or grants to help with emergency needs such as:
- Emergency Transportation
- Funeral Expenses
- Medical/dental Bills (patient's share)
- Food, Rent, and Utilities
- Disaster Relief Assistance
- Child Care Expenses
- Essential Vehicle Repairs
- Unforeseen Family Emergencies
Newby-Ginnings of North Idaho Inc. (Post Falls, ID)
Newby-Ginnings provides basic necessities and essential household items to veterans, active military and their families. at absolutely no cost.
Northern California Veterans Museum - Homeward Bound Military Family Support Services (Cottonwood, CA)
Homeward Bound Military Family Support Services (HB) provides emergency financial, educational, nutritional, and other assistances to family members of military personnel, and to returning injured warriors.
OHIO Cares Troop and Family Assistance Facilitators (Ohio)
There are 11 centers in Ohio with 13 TFAC Specialists staffing those centers. The TFAC offices work with county agencies, organizations and individuals who support the military in specific regions. TFAC provide assistance and/or resources for crisis intervention, legal, Tricare, financial (rent/mortgage & utilities), ID Cards/DEERS, and community information.
Operation First Response - The Last Mission Project
Combat PTSD is exasperated by the battle mindset. During combat a warrior’s duty is to survive and do their best to keep their comrades alive, this can compound the normal sense of survivor guilt, most believe that they have failed their comrades who were killed or severely injured. These emotions isolate the Warrior because they cannot be shared with anyone who has not had the same traumatic experience, which explains the Combat Veteran’s belief that his/her family members or therapist will not understand because they haven’t been there. At the same time studies indicate that talking about the trauma can be the key to unlocking its debilitating grasp.
OFR has traveled this journey with our wounded Warriors for 6 years, during that time we have experienced the changes they have endured as their journey continues.
PTSD has become the invisible injury that gone untreated can take its toll on the Veteran by means of alcohol and substance abuse, criminal activities, unemployment, divorce, in severe cases suicide.
From our experience the financial devastation can be the last straw, it is our hope to alleviate the financial stress for the veteran allowing them to make clear decisions about treatment without the burden of the cost it will have on the family. By receiving treatment and learning to cope with PTSD in a manageable manner we will return more veterans to their families and communities as productive members. As the recipients of their service and sacrifices we have a responsibility to assure their quality of life.
Operation First Response is the bridge between the Warrior and hope for a promising future, enabling them to concentrate on recovery. Examples of assistance: rent/mortgage, utilities, vehicle payment, groceries.
Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront's Critical Financial Assistance program helps military families address critical financial shortfalls. Most often, this means assistance with mortgage payments, rent, utilities, car repairs, home repairs, overdue bills, critical baby items, and groceries. Learn more - LINK
Operation Once in a Lifetime
Operation Once in a Lifetime’s mission is to make the dreams of soldiers and their families come true by providing free financial and moral support.
Operation Once in a Lifetime was created by a soldier to help other soldiers; a soldier knows what a soldier needs, and a Soldier knows what a soldier does not need. A soldier does not need to worry about providing beds for his kids, worrying if his electricity will still be on when he goes home or if his house will be foreclosed on when serving his/her country. A soldier needs a program that will provide free financial assistance regardless of his rank, race, branch of service, physical condition or his deployment status. A soldier needs a program that can help make a life altering contribution when he is in his/her greatest need; Operation Once in a Lifetime is that program.
Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors (Pennsylvania)
Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, Inc. offers Pennsylvania wounded warriors, their families, or Pennsylvania veterans with medical emergencies in their family's financial assistance.
We do not pay credit card bills, car payments, or direct payments to wounded warriors except in the most unusual circumstances. We do help wounded warriors with home repairs, utility payments, short term rent or mortgage payments, medical bills and medical equipment not covered under current government programs and educational programs to prepare for college under the GI Bill.
While our primary focus is on Pennsylvania wounded warriors, we also visit military hospitals and outpatient facilities to thank all wounded warriors for their service.
Salute, Inc.
Salute, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness and support of issues facing active military personnel, veterans and their families and to provide financial support through advocacy and fundraising.
We know deployment to active duty, injury and/or the transition back to civilian life can cause military personnel, veterans and their families a great deal of emotional and financial stress. Salute, Inc. helps affected families by providing financial aid for rent/mortgage payments, auto expenses, phone, utility bills, and other everyday living expenses.
Spirit of Sharing (Southern California)
Spirit Of Sharing (S.O.S.) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing emergency-based assistance to military families 365 days a year. During the holidays S.O.S. strives to keep the magic alive with the Annual Holiday Adoption Program.
S.O.S. works to collect donations, including automobile donations and other assets, year-round in person, by mail, and online, in order to help our active duty military families throughout Southern California.
STEP Support the Enlisted Project (Southern California)
Emergency financial assistance - STEP’s standard operating procedures focuses on the following eligibility prerequisites: 1) the client is active duty military or a recently (with 18 months) honorable discharged veteran in the pay grade of E1-E6, and 2) the client resides in one of the seven supported counties (San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside and Imperial Counties).
Thanks to Yanks
If you know of or are a military member, veteran or immediate family member of a military member or veteran and are in need of assistance (financial or material resources), please complete and submit the form on our website. All requests will be vetted and responded to.
The American Legion's Family Support Network
The American Legion's Family Support Network is ready to provide immediate assistance to service personnel and families whose lives have been directly affected by Operation Iraqi Freedom and America's war on terror.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, the nation's active-duty military has been on high alert, and National Guard and reserve units are being mobilized in record numbers. As a result, the families of these men and women often find themselves unable to meet normal monthly expenses, and assistance is needed for a variety of everyday chores. These tasks include grocery shopping, child care, mowing the grass, fixing the family car and other routine household jobs.
To address these issues, The American Legion has a nationwide toll-free telephone number, (800) 504-4098 for servicemembers and their family members to call for assistance. Applicants can apply online by clicking the assistance form at the top of the page. Calls are referred to The American Legion department, or state in which the call originated. Departments relay the collected information to a local American Legion post. The local post then contacts the servicemember or family to see how assistance can be provided locally. Since the creation of the Family Support Network during the first Persian Gulf War, thousands of posts have responded to meet these families' needs.
The Callen Foundation (Ohio)
The Callen Foundation provides limited financial assistance to the families of current military families, families with a recently deceased military parent in a combat zone as well as those recently honorably discharged due to service-related injuries. Through the efforts of our Board of Trustees, who are mainly ex-military veterans and our Business Partners we will attempt to raise as much money for the benefit of these families as possible.
Our goal is to provide our military families with 100% of all donations contributed to our Foundation other than donations from The Callen Family which are required to fund the administrative needs of the Foundation. The only costs that will be deducted from our donations will be those expense fees that PayPal requires when contributors donate using the PayPal Service. Our focus will be on those families with the most urgent needs of day to day life such as late bill payments, food and basic living necessities primarily as a one time gift however we may, on a limited basis, help those families in true dire need with ongoing help.
The following is an example of how we can help:
- Direct financial help
- Emergency food cards
- Emergency home repairs
- Emergency baby needs
- Basic furniture and household items
The Guardians Foundation (Post Falls, ID)
The Guardians Foundation is a non-profit public charity that assists military veterans and their families, primarily with homelessness, but also with food, clothing, household items, counseling referrals, educational & job opportunities, and unexpected expenses.
USA Cares
USA Cares exists to help bear the burdens of service by providing post-9/11 military families with financial and advocacy support in their time of need. Assistance is provided to all branches of service, all components, all ranks while protecting the privacy and dignity of those military families and veterans who request our help.
USO Emergency Assistance
Many USO centers offer housing and financial information and support to our troops and their families during emergencies.
Veterans Inc
The Veterans Inc. Supportive Services for Veterans and Veteran Families Program helps individuals and families who are homeless or at risk. If you meet the basic eligibility requirements, Veterans Inc. provides direct services and financial assistance to help search for housing, assist with initial rent costs, and pay for certain bills related to back rent or utilities.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) - Unmet Needs
The Unmet Needs Program was created to provide emergency financial support to families of military personnel. Funds from donations are available to the five branches of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard), as well as members of the Reserves and National Guard. Funds awarded by the program are offered in the form of grants, not loans, so recipients don’t need to repay them. As they are typically less than $1500, there is little chance that they will affect the recipient’s taxes.
VeteransPlus
VeteransPlus is a financial literacy organization devoted to improve the quality of life of those who have worn our nation's uniform, and their families by providing unparalleled solutions that focus on financial security and support in pursuing their economic goals. More than creating financial solutions, we add the unique capability of enabling non-profit partners to demonstrate their commitment and concern for America's veterans through financial education and coaching.
VFW Post 12002 (Georgia)
Started in 2003 by the members of VFW Post 12002, our primary mission is to use funds raised from both private and corporate donors to express gratitude to, and support for deployed troops fighting overseas and their families here at home. So far, we’ve been able to touch the lives of over 5,000 Georgia-based troops and their families; 709 last year, alone. From Christmas gifts for their kids, to repairing broken cars, to paying late mortgages or even buying groceries, we honor our heroes with hope and help.
Warriors Place - Everyday Heroes USA (Catastrophic event relief) (Hillsborough, Sarasota, Pinellas, Pasco & Manatee Counties - Florida)
This program assists our local heroes and their families who have suffered a catastrophic event, such as a life-threatening disease, fire, or flood. Realizing money is not the only thing needed during a time of crisis, we meet practical needs as well. Individuals and local business owners help meet those needs at no cost to the family. Our program matches individuals and families with available resources within our community.
Wish For Our Heroes
The Phoenix Group launched a non-profit foundation in November of 2009 that grants wishes for active duty Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and their families. The Foundation strives to relieve the burdens of family separation, re-integration for deployed soldiers, hardship circumstances, and other means of assistance not covered by existing military charities.
The Foundation is driven by an interactive website allowing anyone to request a wish for active duty members of our Armed Forces. The website allows ‘wish granters’ to view wishes and contribute donations.
Feed the Vets
Feed Our Vets is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help veterans in the United States, their spouses and children whose circumstances have left them on the battlefield of hunger, and to involve the public in fighting veteran hunger. We do this through:
- Community food pantries that provide regular, free food distributions to veterans and their families
- Walmart gift card program for food purchase.
- Distribution of related goods and services.
- Public education and outreach
Fort Moore's Battle Buddy Resource Center (Fort Moore, GA)
A chaplain-referred food and hygiene pantry providing assistance to the Fort Moore community
Meals for Vets (Texas)
Our mission is to provide consistent access to healthy, nutritious meals for Texas veterans, age 59 and younger, who are in need financially.
Military Outreach Ministry (MOM4USA)
MOM4USA is a volunteer based organization headquartered at MCB Camp Pendleton with programs available nationwide. Our mission is to provide military families with gifts of gratitude from the community that will express thanks and help improve their quality of life while serving.
MOM4USA's mission is to shine a light on the unique lifestyle of the military family and connect with partners in the community to show our appreciation. We strive to create opportunities for giving, community service and to tell the story of hundreds of unique families. Our programs provide young military families with gifts of gratitude from the community that will express thanks and help improve their quality of life. These programs serve more than 50,000 active-duty military and their dependents each year with innovative programs that provide essential items.
Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront's Critical Financial Assistance program helps military families address critical financial shortfalls. Most often, this means assistance with mortgage payments, rent, utilities, car repairs, home repairs, overdue bills, critical baby items, and groceries. Learn more - LINK
Project New Hope - Sully's Pantry Food and Baby Pantry (Westfield and Worcester, MA)
Clothes, Shoes, Food, Diapers, Wipes, Formula, much more!
San Diego Military Outreach Ministries (SDMOM) (San Diego, CA)
SDMOM is an incorporated charity supported by churches, civic organizations, businesses, military members and private donors working with other nonprofit organizations. With a small paid staff of military wives and many volunteers, SDMOM provides helping services to thousands of enlisted families each year. All services are provided free of charge. Services include nearly daily distribution of food, furniture and household goods, children’s supplies and hosting holiday events, baby showers and family events.
SDMOM serves the junior enlisted military family (mostly ranks E-5 and below), typically headed by a 19-23 year old, with young children, away from home, and trying to survive in our expensive economy on a low salary while struggling with high debt and the family stresses of deployment.
SGT Leevon Ritter Support Your Troops Resale Center (Killeen, TX)
The Sgt Leevon Ritter Support Your Troops Resale Center provides a food pantry, clothes, household items, basic need items and more for little to no cost. We offer this assistance with no requirement other than our military be serving honorably or our veterans did serve honorably. We offer assistance for deployed, non deployed, injured, non-injured and more.
The Callen Foundation (Ohio)
The Callen Foundation provides limited financial assistance to the families of current military families, families with a recently deceased military parent in a combat zone as well as those recently honorably discharged due to service related injuries.One of the many ways in which they help is with food cards.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
WIC provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
Homes, home repairs, housing, yard work
See also Financial support and assistance - LINK
See also housing resources for Combat Wounded Warriors and Disabled Veterans - LINK
See also Caregiver resources - LINK
Active Heroes
Active Heroes helps military families by providing community outreach, volunteer projects and home repairs for military families. Our community outreach additionally educates the public of the challenges and needs of veterans and their families.
Active Heroes has partnered with Raycom Media to help deserving military families with home repairs. Active Heroes has completed over 30 home projects for veterans and their families ranging from small projects like wheel chair ramps to full scale projects including a smart home for a wounded warrior. Many of the veterans work along with volunteers to help repair their homes and the impact is really seen. Military children have received several more gifts from sponsors during the projects including playgrounds, gift certificates and toys. This truly is a great program that Active Heroes offers in several states.
Habitat for Humanity
If your family, or a family you know, is in need of decent, affordable housing, please contact your local Habitat for Humanity to apply. The local Habitat affiliate will explain the application process and provide information on the availability, size and cost of Habitat homes in your area. To find the Habitat affiliate serving your area, use our online search tool or call our help line at 1-800-422-4828.
HABITAT FOR HEROES - Habitat for Humanity is always accepting applications for former military members or veterans interested in becoming Habitat homeowners. Please review the information on our homebuyer page here about the program qualifications. A former military member or veteran is defined as a “person who served in the active military, naval or air service, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.” Families will be selected for the Habitat for Heroes program according to the program qualifications. Habitat for Heroes families receive a 25% discount off the total house cost. The zero-interest Habitat mortgage will breakdown to about $500-$800 monthly and will include real estate taxes and homeowner’s insurance!
Honoring Our Heroes (Mentor, OH)
Operation Home of Our Heroes - This is our primary support program where we provide free home repairs, safety modifications, and maintenance services to veterans and former first responders that have physical and/or financial limitations that prevent them from completing the tasks themselves. Our goal is to give our heroes the freedom and dignity to remain in their own homes longer.
House of Heroes (Arizona, Chattahoochee Valley, Connecticut, Delaware, Middle Georgia, South Georgia, Washington County Iowa)
House of Heroes is a volunteer program that provides free home repairs for the elderly or disabled military and public safety veterans and/or their spouses as a way of saying “thank you” for their service to our country.
Military Missions in Action Homes for Healing Program (North Carolina)
Homes for Healing assists veterans who suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is estimated that 360,000 veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003 suffer from TBI, which causes neurological damage and can impact one’s behavior, emotions, memory, body functions, speech, and an array of other disorders. For someone suffering from TBI or PTSD, what once was a simple task can seem an insurmountable obstacle. MMIA assists veterans who suffer from these conditions, which in turn helps them in their healing process.
Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront's Critical Financial Assistance program helps military families address critical financial shortfalls. Most often, this means assistance with mortgage payments, rent, utilities, car repairs, home repairs, overdue bills, critical baby items, and groceries. Learn more - LINK
Operation Homefront - Permanent Homes for Veterans Program
Since the program began in 2012, more than 700 veterans have entered the Permanent Homes for Veterans (PHV) program. The PHV program provides veterans with the opportunity to move into an Operation Homefront home and work directly with caseworkers and other financial counselors to learn and plan for home ownership.
Our Permanent Homes for Veterans program, formerly known as Homes on the Homefront or (HOTH), accepts veterans who are honorably discharged or retired and service members currently serving in the National Guard or Reserves. After successful completion of the program the veteran receives the deed to the home, mortgage-free.
Project Mend-A-House (Manassas, VA)
Our neighbors need us. Deciding between health, safety, or the upkeep of your home is tricky… That’s where we come in – Project Mend-A-House. We are the last hope for our neighbors that are low-income seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities that are in need of home repairs and/or home modifications that keep them living independently in a safe and healthy home.
Rebuilding Together
Rebuilding Together strengthens the lives of people in our most vulnerable communities by providing low-income homeowners with critical home repairs, accessibility modifications and energy-efficient upgrades. Rebuilding Together’s local affiliates and nearly 100,000 volunteers complete about 10,000 rebuild projects each year. As we rebuild homes, community spaces and nonprofit facilities, our lasting impact helps to stabilize and revitalize neighborhoods across the country. We believe that everyone deserves to live in a safe and healthy home.
The Home Depot Foundation
We work hard every day to make a difference for the veterans in our communities. Whether it’s working with our associates to make an injured veteran’s home wheelchair accessible or transforming permanent supportive housing facilities that provide both housing and services to veterans, we strive to make a lasting impact.
USA Cares
Housing assistance - helping to prevent foreclosures and evictions.
VA Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans
VA provides grants to servicemembers and veterans with certain permanent and total service-connected disabilities to help purchase or construct an adapted home, or modify an existing home to accommodate a disability.
Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals
Established in 2011, the USA Homeownership Foundation, Inc. DBA Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), is a non-profit 501(c)(3) and HUD-approved housing counseling organization dedicated to increasing sustainable homeownership, financial-literacy education, VA loan awareness, and economic opportunity for the active-military and veteran communities.
Veterans Inc.
The Veterans Inc. Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Program is designed to modify and rehabilitate the primary residences of eligible veterans. Our mission is to enable veterans with a disability to continue to live in their own homes and sustain independence, while continuing to play an active role in their community.
VFW National Home for Children
The VFW National Home for Children serves as a living memorial to America’s veterans by helping our nation’s military and veteran families during difficult times. It was founded in 1925 as a place where the families left behind by war -- mothers and children, brothers and sisters -- could remain together, keeping the family circle intact even when their serviceman didn't come home.
Today's families face different challenges -- reintegration, post-traumatic stress, high unemployment and rehabilitation from battlefield injuries, among others -- and the National Home has evolved over our decades-long history to meet those changing needs.
Since its founding, the VFW National Home for Children has grown from an old frame farm house to a sprawling campus with playgrounds, park areas, and multiple buildings, including single-family homes, a community center and gymnasium, child care facility, guest lodge, chapel and administrative offices. Over the years, the National Home has evolved to meet the changing needs of America’s military and veterans’ families. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: the National Home’s commitment to honor our nation’s veterans and active-duty military by providing help and hope for their children and families.
Homecoming and prom dresses
Belle of the Ball Project (Florida)
Belle of the Ball Project gives free homecoming and prom dresses to in need high school students of military families and veteran`s families in Clearwater Fl (Tampa area).
USO Operation That's My Dress
Teenage girls headed to their proms and military wives headed to formal gatherings all face a common challenge: what to wear. USO Operation That’s My Dress is a star-studded event that gives military teens, female service members and spouses the chance to pick out a brand new gown or cocktail dress from some of the most recognizable names in fashion.
Home school assistance
Home School Foundation Military Fund
This fund assists military homeschool families who are struggling financially to meet their children’s educational needs.
This fund helps military homeschool families by taking some of the pressure of purchasing essential curriculum off their shoulders. Families where one or both parents are active, disabled or retired from a branch of the military are encouraged to apply. Scholarships are given based on financial need and the availability of funds. Please note—you must be presently homeschooling and have homeschooled for at least six months prior to making application.
School supplies and expenses
Homefront America - Back to School "Pack for Success”
What better way to help empower our little Marines, Sailors, Airmen, Coasties, and Soldiers, than to provide them with the tools they need to succeed in life. The program provides each registered child with a backpack filled with school supplies appropriate for his/her specific grade level. This ensures that a kindergartener does not receive protractor, or a high schooler receives a box of crayons.
Operation Homefront - Back to School Brigade
Operation Homefront's Back-to-School Brigade (BTSB) provides military children with backpacks filled with school supplies, helping to relieve families of this cost and enabling them to use their income for other household expenses. Learn more - LINK
Operation Once in a Lifetime - Operation Back to School
School time! It’s an exciting time for the kids but can be a time of frustration and worry for parents – especially military families. A military salary simply doesn't go as far as it needs to sometimes. Imagine having moved to a new duty station, trying to settle in right before or even in the middle of the school year. Among all the other things you are trying to stretch your money to cover, you find out the new school requires uniforms. Of course, there's then the extra expense for supplies, backpacks, athletics, and other school programs. Operation Back to School helps with the school related expenses.
Project New Hope Inc. - Back-to-School Brigade (Worcester, MA)
The Project New Hope Inc. Back-to-School Brigade is in partnership with Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree annual school supply collection and distribution campaign. Last year, PNH distributed more than 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to military kids across Massachusetts.
Vehicle donation
Keys to Progress
Since 2013, Progressive has been honoring veterans with vehicle donations through the Keys to Progress® program. So far, we’ve donated more than 600 vehicles to veterans and veteran organizations.
The one-day vehicle giveaway event happens every November and is a strong source of pride for everyone who works here. Employees across the country volunteer to find vehicles to donate, organize fundraising activities to collect money or goods to provide recipient families, and plan memorable vehicle giveaway events for the veterans.
By providing transportation support, our hope is to offer a little relief and improve the lives of military men and women facing tough circumstances—from difficult personal and family health needs to excessive rent burdens, unemployment and homelessness.
Every November, we host a one-day vehicle giveaway event for veterans at various Progressive offices and authorized vehicle repair facility locations across the United States. Counting this year, we will have donated more than 600 vehicles to veterans and veteran organizations since 2013.
Applications are reviewed starting in May of each program year and recipients are typically selected and contacted by September 30 per year.
If you are a veteran and have interest in being a Keys to Progress program vehicle recipient you need to apply through a non-profit organization (e.g., charity, military association like a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post, Veterans Administration (VA) hospital, etc.) and meet specific criteria. (Visit the website for more detailed information.)
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