AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As American families across our nation come together for the holidays, Fund II Foundation dedicates a special thank you to veterans and our troops with $1.8 million in grants split evenly between three organizations dedicated to serving veterans and service members--the Bob Woodruff Foundation, The Fisher House Foundation, and USO.
“The men and women who serve our country sacrifice so much for their fellow citizens,” said Fund II Foundation’s Executive Director, Linda Wilson. “It is imperative that these heroes are cared for when they return to civilian life. We are honored to be able to support the Bob Woodruff Foundation, The Fisher House Foundation, and USO, three organizations dedicated to making a difference for our veterans and service members.”
Expanding Charitable Investment Program
The Bob Woodruff Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that post-9/11 injured service members, veterans and their families are thriving long after they return home. Fund II Foundation’s award of $600,000 will support the expansion of Bob Woodruff Foundation’s Charitable Investment Program, which was created to navigate a maze of more than 46,000 nonprofits to find, fund, and shape high-quality scalable and sustainable projects that will dramatically improve the lives of our most treasured protectors and their families.
"These funds will go a long way toward promoting healing and empowering our injured veterans, allowing them to achieve their dreams as they continue to improve our communities," said Bob Woodruff, cofounder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. “We thank Fund II Foundation for their generosity and commitment.”
Caring for Our Wounded Vets
The Fisher House empowers military families to heal together and provide security and comfort during their most trying times. The Hero Miles program brings family and friends of military to the bedside of wounded, injured, and ill service members during hospitalization, to the distinguished transfer of remains at Dover Air Force Base, and through supported continued care events. Fund II Foundation’s $600,000 award will secure the purchase of 800 airline tickets.
"We are so grateful for this generous gift from Fund II," said Ken Fisher, Chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation. "Their donation will help fund Hero Miles flights, bringing loved ones to the bedside of wounded, injured or ill service members. The demand for flights is great, and this gift allows us to continue our support."
Kickstarting Community Growth Initiative
Fund II Foundation’s $600,000 grant will be the catalyst that kickstarts USO’s newest and boldest initiative, the Community Growth Initiative. Because USO centers are in constant use, the wear and tear require that many centers are refurbished and refreshed routinely.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Fund II Foundation for their generous investment in the USO, which will help build and enhance USO Centers across America as we adapt to the ever-changing needs of our military,” said Lisa Turner Anastasi, Chief Development Officer of USO. “This expansion will allow the USO to provide vital programs to service members and their families an additional 500,000 times annually. The USO’s mission is to connect our men and women in uniform to family, home and country throughout their service to the nation. The Fund II Foundation’s generous support will enable us to deliver on this critical mission and make a difference in the lives of our nation’s heroes.”
About Fund II Foundation
Fund II Foundation makes grants to 501(c)(3) public charities in five areas: 1) preservation of the African-American experience, 2) safeguarding human dignity by giving a voice to the voiceless and promoting human rights 3) improving environmental conservation and providing outdoor education that enables people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy the numerous benefits of the great outdoors 4) facilitating music education, particularly in primary and secondary schools, to nourish both the mind and the soul 5) and sustaining the uniquely American values of entrepreneurship, empowerment, innovation and security. For more information on Fund II Foundation, visit www.fund2foundation.org.
About the Bob Woodruff Foundation
The Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) is the nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that post-9/11 injured service members, veterans and their families thrive long after they return home. A national organization with grassroots reach, the Bob Woodruff Foundation complements the work of the federal government—diligently navigating the maze of more than 46,000 nonprofits providing services to veterans—to find, fund and shape innovative programs and hold them accountable for results. To date, BWF has invested more than $30 million in solutions, reaching more than 2 million service members, support personnel, veterans and their families. The Bob Woodruff Foundation was co-founded in 2006 by award-winning ABC news anchor Bob Woodruff and his family, whose experiences inspired them to help make sure the nation’s heroes have access to the highest level of support and resources they deserve, for as long as they need them. For more information about the Bob Woodruff Foundation, visit bobwoodrufffoundation.org.
About Fisher House Foundation
Fisher Houses are constructed to provide free, temporary housing to the families of service members and Veterans needing medical care. Enabling family members to be near a loved one in a time of need – often without warning or the ability to muster the financial resources to do so – is a core concept of the Fisher House motto: “A Family’s Love is Good Medicine.” Additionally, Fisher House Foundation operates the Hero Miles Program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members. The Foundation also manages a grant program that supports other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans. www.fisherhouse.org.
About the USO
The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort, and support. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.
