The first time during this campaign cycle that presidential candidate Donald Trump dealt with veteran groups, he accepted an endorsement from a “veterans charity” during the Republican primaries that turned out to be a funnel for Super PAC money. In spite of the low-level controversy, he more than survived the hit; he is now the presumptive GOP nominee for President.
At the end of January of this year, Trump declined to participate in the debate against his Republican primary opponents. Instead, he held what his campaign called a “special event to benefit veterans organizations.” When it was all over the Trump campaign claimed to have raised almost $6 million in donations to veterans groups. Today, the candidate finally announced how the money was distributed and to which groups.
Here are the veterans’ groups that have received money from the Trump campaign, totaling $5.6 million. pic.twitter.com/7AWcZfAkP0
— Brad Mielke (@TheBradMielke) May 31, 2016
The almost four-month delay was due a need to vet the groups that would receive funds, Trump said at a press conference at the Trump Tower in New York. The total amount raised from the fundraiser was $5.6 million, including one million from Trump himself.
The groups on the list have not yet released statements or receipts for the funds, but here’s a list of them and how much they will receive from the benefit. Most of them can be found on the non-profit evaluation site Charity Navigator, and most have three- and four-star ratings.
22Kill – $200,000
22KILL is a global movement bridging the gap between veterans and civilians to build a community of support. 22KILL works to raise awareness to the suicide epidemic and educate the public on mental health issues.
Achilles International, Inc. – $200,000
The mission of Achilles International is to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream running events to promote personal achievement.
American Hero Adventures – $100,000
Non-profit providing veterans who sustained trauma in the line of duty with “adventures aimed at healing, hope, and camaraderie.”
Americans for Equal Living – $100,000
America’s VetDogs- The Veterans K9 Corps, Inc. – $75,000
Founded by the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and serves the needs of disabled veterans and active duty personnel.
AMVETS – $75,000
The AMVETS mission is to enhance and safeguard the entitlements for all American Veterans who have served honorably and to improve the quality of life for them, their families, and the communities where they live through leadership, advocacy, and services.
Armed Services YMCA of the USA – $75,000
The Armed Services YMCA makes military life easier by providing programs and services to the young men and women of all five armed services.
Bob Woodruff Family Foundation, Inc. – $75,000
“We ask people to stand up for heroes so that we can find, fund, and shape innovative programs that help our impacted veterans, service members, and their families thrive.”
Central Iowa Shelter and Services – $100,000
Provides low-barrier shelter, meals, and support services at no cost to adults experiencing homelessness to facilitate their move toward self-sufficiency.
Connected Warriors, Inc. – $75,000
The largest community-based volunteer organization in the United States, offering evidence-based trauma-conscious Yoga therapy to servicemembers, veterans, and their families at no cost.
Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust – $115,000
DAV provides more than 700,000 rides for veterans attending medical appointments and assists veterans with more than 300,000 benefit claims annually. In 2015, DAV helped attain more than $4 billion in new and retroactive benefits to care for veterans, their families, and survivors. DAV is also a leader in connecting veterans with meaningful employment, hosting job fairs and providing resources to veterans seeking employment.
Fisher House Foundation – $115,000
Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment.
Folds of Honor Foundation – $200,000
The Folds of Honor Foundation provides scholarships to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service.
Foundation for American Veterans – $75,000
“Established to provide various benefits for all veterans, either through Veterans Hospitals, homeless programs, educational programs, crisis programs, etc., where the local, state, and federal governments leave off.”
Freedom Alliance – $75,000
Freedom Alliance supports our troops and their families through educational scholarships, recreational therapy, and activities that help injured heroes heal.
Green Beret Foundation – $350,000
The Green Beret Foundation provides direct and continuous support to the Green Beret Community and its families. The Green Beret Foundation facilitates the transition of Green Berets and their families whether that transition is from wounds sustained in combat, illness, injury or “merely” from numerous deployments and/or retirement.
Hire Heroes USA – $75,000
“Hire Heroes USA help veterans find jobs at the rate of more than 100 veterans confirmed hired every week.”
Homes for Our Troops – $50,000
Builds mortgage-free, specially adapted homes nationwide for severely injured Veterans Post- 9/11, to enable them to rebuild their lives.
Honoring America’s Warriors – $100,000
“This organization was created to assist families who upon the death of their loved one who has served our country, the opportunity to have augmented military honors when the family deems that the legislated two man flag fold is not enough.”
Hope for the Warriors – $65,000
“Hope For The Warriors provides comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans, and military families that are focused on transition, health and wellness, peer engagement, and connections to community resources.”
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund – $175,000
“Serves United States military personnel wounded or injured in service to our nation, and their families. Supporting these heroes helps repay the debt all Americans owe them for the sacrifices they have made.”
K9s For Warriors – $50,000
“K9s For Warriors is dedicated to providing service canines to our warriors suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disability, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma as a result of military service post 9/11.”
Liberty House – $100,000
Liberty House is a sober living home that caters to post alcohol rehab and drug rehab patients with an 82% success rate.
Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation – $1,100,000
Provides a $30,000 scholarship account for every child who loses a parent serving in the United State Marine Corps or any Federal Law Enforcement Agency.
Navy SEAL Foundation – $465,000
The Navy SEAL Foundation provides immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare Community and its families.
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society – $75,000
The purpose of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is to provide emergency financial assistance to active duty and retired Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their families.
New England’s Wounded Veterans, Inc. – $75,000
Operation Homefront – $65,000
Partners for Patriots – $100,000
Helping Veterans Get Service Dogs for Assistance with PTSD and TBI disabilities.
Project for Patriots – $100,000
A non-profit to help make housing more accommodating for veterans.
Puppy Jake Foundation – $100,000
“Puppy Jake Foundation selects, trains, and places service dogs to assist wounded veterans. Help us help our American heroes.”
Racing for Heroes, Inc. – $200,000
“Aims to help fill the gap left by inadequate resources for Disabled Veterans through advocacy, engagement, and racing.”
Support Siouxland Soldiers – $100,000
Provides food for veterans, emergency relief grants and rent assistance for homeless and near-homeless veterans, sends care packages to deployed troops, and provides Christmas presents to military children.
Task Force Dagger Foundation – $50,000
Provides assistance to wounded, ill, or injured US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) members and their families
The Mission Continues – $75,000
The Mission Continues empowers veterans who are adjusting to life at home to find purpose through community impact. TMC deploys veterans on new missions in their communities so their actions will inspire future generations to serve.
The National Military Family Association, Inc. – $75,000
NMFA is a private, non-profit association organized to improve the quality of family life of all military personnel. Started in 1969 as the National Military Wives Association by a group of wives and widows, responsible for the Survivor Benefit Plan.
Veterans Airlift Command – $100,000
VAC provides free air transportation to post 9/11 combat wounded and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots.
Veterans Count – $25,000
The philanthropic arm of Easter Seals Military and Veterans Services provides resources and services to veterans, service members and their families with a wide range of family, personal, and financial needs.
Veterans In Command, Inc. – $150,000
Provides housing for veterans, their families, and a variety of other disadvantaged or transitioning groups.
Vietnam Veterans Workshop, Inc. – $75,000
The Vietnam Veterans Workshop is doing business as the New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV). The Mission of the NECHV is to help homeless veterans who have served the United States honorably in peace and war who are addressing the challenges of addiction, trauma, and severe persistent mental health issues.
Warriors for Freedom Foundation – $50,000
Warriors for Freedom Foundation (WFF) is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that provides support to our nation’s heroes and their families in the areas of recreational and social activities, scholarships, veteran suicide and mental health awareness
