Gaining The Needed Support
There are thousands of non-profits that focus their mission on supporting military veterans and or first responders. In the "Sea of Goodwill" how do you get your non-profit to standout, and establish itself within the local community, and then on a national scale?
In all honesty, it has been a struggle to get the Vets on Track Foundation's foothold within the land of corporate and private giving. Although we have worked hard to carve out a niche in the veteran and first responder care arena, getting folks to financially support the mission has been a challenge. In saying that, the Foundation has had tremendous support from the local community with regard to furniture and household good item donations. We have received enough donations to completely furnish more than 25 homes. However, when it comes to gaining corporate support, how does a small non-profit compete with organizations like the USO, T.A.P.S. and the Wounded Warrior Project? How does the Vets on Track Foundation become your charity of choice? I honestly believe it begins with our "mission."
First and foremost, the Vets on Track Foundation does not limit its support to any one generation of veteran. If a veteran or first responder has been identified as someone who needs support, we provide that support...no questions asked. We work with agencies like the Friendship Place in Washington, D.C., to identify those in need. Our main focus as a foundation is to furnish the homes of those veterans or first responders being placed into permanent housing from living on the streets. From wall hangings to sofa's to pots and pans, we provide everything these individuals need to get back on their feet.
With such an important mission, why do we still struggle to gain the attention of corporate America? I am hoping that this small article might be enough to generate some interest from my corporate LinkedIn connections. We have only tapped the surface of need when it comes to dealing with veterans and first responders making the transition from living on the streets. Our hope is to take our program and establish it in other cities across the country...developing a national support network that can respond to multiple agencies working homeless veteran issues.
I have attached a PowerPoint presentation that goes into more detail about our Foundation. I hope that you decide to make our Foundation your charity of choice!