Military charities are some of the best charities. If you’re looking for a military charity that assists service members and their families by helping them in times of need, you’ll find the eight listed military charities below do just that.
These military charities provide the ultimate military family support by supplying much-needed resources: sending military kids to college, providing mental health services, assisting with lodging costs, and beyond.
Whether you’re interested in the services provided or in donating, we’ve compiled everything you need to know to use or help these valuable nonprofits.
Here’s a look at eight incredible nonprofits that take care of the military community:
1. Gary Sinise Foundation
While actor Gary Sinise is best known for his role as Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump, he’s almost as well known for his work with the military community. His nonprofit is dedicated to assisting active duty, vets, first responders, and their families through programs that entertain, inspire, educate, and strengthen communities. True to his acting roots, Sinise also created a special program that welcomes vets to enjoy a theater dinner and dress rehearsal performance.
How the program helps military families:
- Offers mental health services and treatment
- Creates adapted smart homes for wounded warriors
- Provides modified mobility devices and adapted vehicles
Need help? Discover more about the Gary Sinise Foundation here.
Want to help? Learn more about donating funds, stock, life insurance, etc. here.
2. Fisher House Foundation
The Fisher House Foundation builds homes for military and veteran families to stay in free of charge while a loved one is hospitalized. The homes are located at VA and military medical centers worldwide. In 2018, 32,000 families received help from the Fisher House. The foundation has provided $24 million in scholarships to military children, spouses, and kids of fallen and disabled vets.
How the program helps military families:
- Saves military and vet families on lodging costs
- Brings families to the bedside of injured service members
- Supports other military charities and scholarship funds
Need help? Check out the listing of Fisher House programs here.
Want to help? Discover how to give back here.
3. Semper Fi Fund
The Semper Fi Fund provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to service members who are combat wounded, critically ill, or catastrophically injured. The beauty of this nonprofit is that it isn’t just for Marines, it’s for all armed forces and their families. Programs are focused on recovery and transition back into their communities by providing help like adaptive equipment, transportation, housing assistance, and more.
How the program helps military families:
- Provides visiting nurse program
- Education & career guidance
- Offers specialized equipment
Need help? Get assistance today from the Semper Fi Fund by reaching out here.
Want to help? Learn how you can help here.
4. Give an Hour
Give an Hour provides free and confidential mental health care to veterans, active duty, and their families. Through an online search, you can connect with a licensed provider to help you through anxiety, brain injuries, trauma, depression, and more. No payment or insurance information will be needed when you reach out and identify yourself as a Give an Hour client.
How the program helps military families:
- Confidential resource
- Crisis line resources
- Free counseling (up to a year)
- Develop coping skills to handle military life
Need help? Connect with a professional who can help here.
Want to help? Donate your time, resources, or experience. Find out more here.
5. Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation
Over the last 35 years, nearly 20,000 children have lost a parent in the line of duty. Children of the Fallen Patriots Foundation provides college scholarships and educational counseling to those children. Since its inception, the foundation has helped over 1,550 students by providing funding to get them through undergraduate work.
How the program helps military families:
- Serves families in all branches
- Provides an annual gift of $6,250 to scholars
- Assists students with college living expenses
Need help? Enroll a student here for financial aid.
Want to help? Donate to the foundation here.
6. Operation Gratitude
Every year, Operation Gratitude brings smiles via care packages to the faces of those deployed overseas. Not only does this nonprofit send packages to active duty members, but also to families, new recruits, vets, wounded heroes, and their caregivers. In December 2019 alone, Operation Gratitude expects to send 75,000 holiday care packages.
How the program helps military families:
- Packages bring joy to recipients
- Provides necessities like hygiene products
- Offers support and love via letters and handmade gifts
Need a package? Request a package for troops, recruits, and others here.
Want to help? Learn how you can get involved here.
7. Reel American Heroes
There’s something healing about being on the water. The mission of the Reel American Heroes is to provide recreational therapy for the nation’s wounded service members, disabled veterans, and combat veterans through fishing. Since its inception, over 800 wounded heroes have participated in the nonprofit’s programs. The fishing tournaments are located in Virginia, so it’s ideal for those based in the state or who plan to travel to the area.
How the program helps military families:
- Connects wounded vets to others
- Offers a recreational therapy outlet
- Provides valuable time for reflection
Interested? Register for a RAHF fishing trip or tournament here.
Want to help? Interested in donating to the cause? Learn more here.
8. Angels of America’s Fallen
Angels of America’s Fallen is a nonprofit founded by Joe Lewis, a retired Lt. Col. with 25 years of service across three branches. After retirement, he wanted to help kids of America’s fallen military, police, fire, and EMS personnel. His organization focuses on guiding children through the healing process via developmental activities like music, sports, and other positive outlets up until age 19.
How the program helps military families:
- 1,100 activity session provided each month
- Gives kids a chance to experience positive programs
- Registered “angels” are supported via sponsors
Need help? Register a child of a fallen hero here.
Want to help? Learn more about kids who need sponsorship here.
The Best Military Charities Offer Military Family Support
Asking for help can feel awkward at first, but these military charities are here to help military members and their families. Each one has a core mission to assist military communities — and they love serving you. Just as you have served, they willingly wish to do the same.
These are just a few of the great charities that help military families. The best military charities are the ones that put service members and their needs first. These same charities also are financially responsible and transparent with how they spend their donations. If you’re curious about local organizations that may help, reach out to your family support center on base, too.
Want to dig a little more into the details of a military charity? Check out Charity Navigator, which has rated over 9,000 charities for transparency, financial health, and community impact.
Which military charities do you love or support? Let us know in the comments below!
Feature image courtesy of Airman 1st Class Justin T. Armstrong, U.S. Air Force
