While browsing instagram one day I stumbled across a friends post on this organization and what they are doing. Being a disabled veteran myself I decided to read up on the organization with expectations of being let down, like I have been for all other organizations. I saw what they were doing and I immediately knew I stumbled across something great and very different from the normal veteran non profits. I quickly reached out to the CEO of IFF and offered to join them on one of their river floats to provide a short film about their organization. When I linked up with the IFF board members and the veterans who were participating in the trip I immediately felt something I wasn't expecting, I felt like I belonged with these guys and that this trip may actually help me decompress. We did the float, while I filmed and fished with the guys, and at the end of the trip I made some great new friends and will forever be grateful for what the organization is doing for veterans. I look forward to continuing to help the IFF members with future media needs and to gain new relationships with fellow veterans.
Troy Duane Morgan
Veteran; U.S Army
3 days, 25 miles, Devils River
Thanks to Iron Freedom Foundation this was possible for me, and Veterans like me. An experience i think i would not have ever known. Some of the most beautiful river and river banks ive ever seen. Kayaking down the Devils River was a Item on my bucket list i didn't know i had. To all of those at Iron Freedom Foundation and the donor's that made it possible, i cant thank you enough. Blessed to have you here for us.
Selfless group of Veterans who go above and beyond to help out other Veterans struggling with PTS by giving them the training and tools necessary to get out in nature with Kayaks, fishing gear, and camping supplies that they get to keep. All while building a community of like-minded veterans who also have been giving the tools and training so that they Veterans can replicate the experience shown to them by the IFF any time they want.
The IFF gives 98% of all donations straight back to the veterans while the other 2% is used for operating costs (website, credit card processing fees from online donations). The Board Members and Ambassadors all have full-time careers on top of being full time members of IFF without taking any salaries from IFF contributions. Other non-profits for veterans should strive to operate in the same way and give as much back to the veterans as they can!
I went on the Guadalupe river trip last year:
The trip was exactly what i needed. At that point in my life i was battling depression related to PTSD. The VA's solution was to prescribe me more medications. What that was doing was having a rubberband affect, making the symptoms of ptsd substantially worse. I had a great time on the trip.
But more importantly it lit a fire. Since the trip i have thoroughly camped the entire south western part of the United states and am currently medication free and the happiest ive ever been.
Check it out.
Ironfreedom.org
This is an absolute unique and amazing foundation that helps veterans by taking them on excursions where they are challenged physically and mentally. Implementing teamwork and sharing the experience with other brave veterans. I highly recommend visiting the Iron Freedom Foundation website to read more about this organization and to see photos of the breathtaking and challenging adventures.
I have seen this organization from its very creation rise to the challenge of helping veterans rediscover within themselves the necessary tools to help foster self development and self worth. The Iron Freedom Foundations dedication to their veterans sets the stage for many non profit organizations to follow. They place the veterans in the organization into challenging environments which recreate the comaraderie found in military communities that is mostly unfulfilled in civilian life.
My name is Winston Cushman Jr. I am not a Veteran and therefore likely would not have come across the services being provided by The Iron Freedom Foundation. Fortunately, my son Cameron Cushman, a film-maker and an Army Veteran, did cross paths with this non-profit and subsequently arranged to film one of their river experiences with and for Veterans. His initial film had a significant impact on everyone who saw it, and the IFF began to use it as a tool of outreach and education. Cameron went on to film and produce a second IFF journey, and has since taken an active role in public promotion, even working to create a chapter of the IFF in Florida, where he lives. Cameron has convinced me of the importance of the work the IFF provides and I have donated multiple times to the agency. I for one hope many more people take notice, and lend a hand to people so deserving of all our support.
To see an organization give back to veterans as much as they do is amazing. How they not only take them out on a life changing outdoor experience, but the fact that they fully outfit each veteran with tons of gear to take home, is what really sets them apart. They’re not just creating a one time experience for the veterans and leaving them on their own afterwards, they’re setting them up for a lifetime of purpose and meaning after their military service has ended. This is an organization I will stand by for many years to come! Keep up the great work guys!
The Iron Freedom Foundation is a great organization. The brave men and women that serve our country deserve to have a better life when they return home. They deserve to have a support group around them that lifts morale and instills a sense of camaraderie. The Iron Freedom Foundation does just that. They put soldiers first. Through the IFF outreach program, veterans are able to get out into the great outdoors with other soldiers to learn new skills and develop friendships that will last a lifetime. IFF provides them a network of likeminded individuals to lean on, to support them, and to stay active with.
Excellent organization. The management of IFF were unsatisfied with the veteran non-profit status-quo, so they decided to build their own and solve the issues. Will Cannon, the founder of IFF, identified the sources of these issues and found simple, innovative solutions. Namely, the issues revolved around transparency and effectiveness. Transparency is an easy problem to solve when your board members are all volunteers and ~98% of funds go directly to the veterans participating in the events. "Effectiveness" was Will's true innovation. Like the old adage - give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for life - IFF takes veterans on adventures, such as kayak fishing trips, and outfits them with the necessary gear to complete the trip. After the trip, the veterans take home every piece of gear that was provided - the kayak, tent, packs, stove, sleeping bag, fishing tackle, etc. This way, that veteran, and the developing IFF veteran community, can plan their own trips and adventures without relying on an organization for supplies and equipment. Instead of going on a grand, non-profit sponsored adventure and ending up back home with nothing but a fading memory; the IFF veterans return to their normal life, but now they're thinking about their next trip and have a contact list of other veterans outfitted with the same gear and knowledge, and also ready for their next outdoor adventure. The Iron Freedom Foundation really is a game changer for veteran health and wellness, regarding outdoor-oriented non-profits.
This is a wonderful organization with great leadership! The non-profit provides veterans with a great support system and an outlet to be themselves. Please consider donating to keep their mission alive!
The Iron Freedom Foundation is great. I truly am blessed to be involved with such an outstanding organization that takes veterans on outdoor adventures and gets them into nature.
The Iron Freedom Foundation is a great nonprofit, because it gives veterans an outlet. It gives them tools, and lets them experience the great outdoors and all of its tranquility. It allows for peace and camaraderie amongst brothers/sisters in arms. Vets can decompress, and is a great non conventional method of therapy.
The Iron Freedom Foundation is an outstanding organization that has been built on the foundation of support and brotherhood. The organization and its leaders have a true passion for service and support, aiming to give back to Veterans who have already given so much. It is a privilege and an honor to know it’s leaders and hear about the impact they are making.
One of the best veteran non-profits in my opinion. Operated by veterans that truly care about providing sustained help to war fighters returning home.
The Iron Freedom Foundation is passionate in providing veterans with the necessary tools and network to create new purpose in their lives. This non-profit is wholly devoted to enabling veterans to experience their outdoor passions. Watching this organization grow as a friend of the board members has been incredible and I can't wait to see how many lives it will touch. Any support you are able to provide will make a lasting impact!
As a parent of a Veteran I can see how this nonprofit really helps a Veteran. As an outdoors person I so believe in the healing benefits of nature. As a donor I know my money is going for something that will last with the veteran, they get all the gear so they can recreate the experience again and hopefully invite another veteran out for the same experience. I was privileged to help with the first trip and saw how one Veteran can really help another. My heart grew and appreciation and gratitude grew for all Veterans.
This is a great non-profit organization. I was able to sit down with Travis Runge last week and discuss the organization. Ever since talking with him I have been looking for more ways to get involved.
They gave a great presentation and their work with veterans is helping find enjoyment. They create lasting memories and with some more help will be able to offer more for the men and women that risk their lives.
I was fortunate enough to have spoken with Travis about IFF. I could see by his passion about the nonprofit that Travis was completely devoted to the vets. I watched the video on their website, and firmly believe this organization has the ability to significantly effect the lives of vets in a very positive way.
They have an outstanding mission and it's clear that they are dedicated to it! This is a fantastic organization and they deserve as much help as possible!
I haven’t been directly impacted by the org but I can see the way they are helping change lives. Not only do they teach veterans skills that can help them overcome symptoms such as loneliness and ptsd but they are also equipping them with the tools necessary to address those symptoms long term. Great org that everyone should support!
