Hope For The Warriors has received $3 million in funding to make critical upgrades to its systems, eyeing extended veteran support. The donation comes as the US-based military veteran nonprofit turns 20, with the scale of its operations reaching new heights.
Hope For The Warriors receive $3m from Lilly Endowment
According to a statement, Hope For The Warriors has confirmed the receipt of $3 million in funding from Lilly Endowment, an Indianapolis-based private foundation. Per the disclosure, the grant to Hope For The Warriors is one of 18 that Lilly Endowment is making to support the operations of military-based non-profits in the US.
Right off the bat, Hope For The Warriors noted that the funds will support key upgrades to its operational systems. Notably, a portion of the amount will back its workforce development, providing leadership training to equip staff with the necessary skillsets required to support veteran and their families.
Furthermore, a significant chunk of the funding will expand its capabilities for evidence-based care, with the non-profit keen on investing in Parent-Child Interactive Therapy. Meanwhile, the veteran nonprofit has also announced plans to earmark funds for investment in marketing and improvements to fundraising capacity.
Expressing gratitude to Lilly Endowment, Hope For The Warriors CEO Robin Kelleher noted that the grant is a “defining moment of hope” for the organization.
“This support allows us to strengthen our foundation and prepare HOPE to meet increasing demand today while remaining a steady, trusted source of support for military families for decades to come,” said Kelleher.
Veteran charities grapple with rising demand for services
In its 20-year existence, Hope For The Warriors has provided support for 187,000 service members, veterans, and their families. According to data on its website, the nonprofit disclosed that it directly impacted nearly 50,000 lives in 2024, confirming a double-digit percentage increase in demand for its service.
Adopting a holistic approach, the organization provides physical, financial, and emotional wellness services to veterans. Furthermore, the organization offers spouse and caregiver scholarships while providing career coaching to veterans.
Despite the efforts by military-linked nonprofits, a bird’s-eye view reveals concerning patterns for the sector. A report by USVETS noted that around 30,000 veterans experience homelessness on any given night while grappling with mental health conditions and substance abuse.
Several studies have also highlighted that veterans are increasingly facing an uphill climb in the transition to civilian work amid a spike in basic needs assistance.