Special Operations Warrior Foundation

I'm not a soldier but I've heard of this program from reading David Goggins book Can't Hurt Me. I was touched by his story of wanting to help the families of fallen soldiers. I know my donation is a small fraction of what I owe these soldiers who fight and who have fought for my freedom I am so thankful for. Thank you to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation for all it does for so many people.

I have personally seen the great work this organization has done for the families of my fellow warriors who were killed in my unit. Several of the men had young children and young wives. SOWF quickly steeped in to provide immediate financial and emotional support but it has been the long term support they have given to the families and children of these buddies that is most impressive. We in SF are a tight community and the guys follow up to make sure the widows and children are doing well. They tell us that the SOWF has remained in contact and provided every educational and vocational need that these children and even the wives needed to have a good quality of life and fulfill the dreams that my buddies had for their kids. I strongly support and endorse SOWF whenever someone asks me who they should donate to.

Losing my dad was the most traumatic experience I've ever been through. The SOWF made sure that, both, my brother and I were taken care of. I will forever be indebted to the foundation for their kindness, concern and generosity in ensuring that we achieved our educational goals. Everyone at SOWF is incredibly responsive and goes above and beyond to make sure that the children of our fallen warriors are not forgotten.

Great organization that's helps family members of fallen heroes.

I asked a warrior the best place to donate and his recommendation was Special Operations Warrior Foundation. I had never heard of it, but research showed me how well the donations are used. I contribute on a monthly basis.

Founded by Col. John Carry(retired); this organization is awesome in every way. It provides college educations and immediate assistance to the children of fallen special operations soldiers. When our best need help, let's be there for them. God Bless everyone involved.

Great organization for a great cause. Please help spread the word.
Sua Sponte

This is the organization we all should be supporting. I can't think of a more worthy cause. I worked around these guys for part of my life and have nothing but good things to say about them. Let's support their families.

Great organization that supports the families of our finest people.

Great organization where I know my donation makes a difference.

Absolutely fabulous organization that helped my daughter every step of the way through her college education.

SOWF cares about its families and supporters. The organization and its tremendous staff are always looking for new ways to benefit and serve the families and children of fallen special operators. As a SOWF scholarship recipient there isn't anything I wouldn't do to support SOWF for others.

As a member of the task force that attempted to rescue American hostages in Iran in 1980, it has been a wonderful thing to witness the SOWF provide college educations not only to the children of the eight warriors we lost on that mission, but to witness the superb effort they continue to make to provide counseling and education to the HUNDREDS of children of Special Operators who have been lost since then. Their extremely low overhead, with more than 90% of all money donated going directly to the children, and to the families of severely wounded members of SOF make them, in my opinion, the most worthwhile charity in America.

My family are deeply appreciative to SOWF. 26 July 1990 my family was deeply changed forever. That was the night the haunting knock on the door came to our home to let my mother know that my father, COL Richard J Malvesti died. During our darkest hours a glimmer of hope arrived when SOWF stepped forward and provided my sister and I with the ability to make my parent's dream of both their children to receive a college education. My father bravely and selflessly dedicated his life to our nation and died doing the same. Just as many that sadly lost their lives before my dad and the countless that have made the ultimate sacrifice since. It is through the dedication of SOWF honoring the fallen and continuing the watch for the families of the fallen that our dreams did not die along with our service members. SOWF is a dedicated, strong, honest and truly giving charitable foundation. Through the years, they have added countless services to enhance not only their financial giving, but to advocate, mentor and provide opportunities to ease the hurt and hardships of the families left behind. If you find yourself in the position to give to a charitable organization, it is my hope that you will strongly consider SOWF. They will be steadfast stewards of your donation and you can rest assure that your financial gift will be used to make a college dream come true for a fallen heroes' family. Thank you SOWF for being there for my family during a time we wished we had no need, and for honoring our personal hero and all the fallen.
With deepest gratitude,
Daniele Malvesti

Amazingly sincere and genuinely good-hearted people that are members of this organization!! Cannot say enough great things about SOWF, but I do know, I do not have one negative thing to say about them! It is truly a unique nonprofit group that lives to help children (and families !) of fallen special operations warriors! Everything they do is above and beyond what you could even imagine a kind person would do.

They have helped me make sure I can get an education with out this foundation I would not be able
To pay for college

I have been a volunteer with SOWF for a while and it has been remarkable to watch the organization grow and while keeping true to its mission, finding and adding new ways to support the SOF community. SOWF helps not only fund education for the children of fallen, but to ensure the success of each student by providing personalized support in their academic and personal lives. I am proud to be a supporter of SOWF and to help the children of our fallen heroes.

Team SOWF empowers me to leverage my winter fat biking pursuits into beacons for friends and family to donate to this outstanding charity!

This is the best foundation around. Not only is their mission critical to the families they help, but they always strive, with great success, to make sure their funding actually gets to those that need it the most. Proud to be a supporter. Bravo Zulu!

We support the SOWF and the incredible work they do in supporting our wounded heroes and their families, like Lieutenant (retired) Jason C. Redman, former U.S. Navy SEAL and ARMY Ranger, and SSgt (retired) Johnnie O. Yellock II, former Combat Controller. I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Jason two weeks ago and Johnnie today an event in Virginia and they both praised SOWF for the incredible support they and their families received during their difficult time of recovery. First class organization that always does the right thing for our wounded warriors. I wish more charitable organizations would follow their lead. Well done. Keep up the tremendous work!!

When our son was killed in 2012 at the tender age of 26, this is the organization he had chosen for memorials to be made in his honor. Why? Because as a Special Forces soldier he knew the importance of taking care of his team even after death. This is an organization he strongly believed in for good reason. We as Nic's family are proud to lend our support and grateful that such an organization exists.

I have thrown several fundraisers benefitting the SOWF. Their benefit department is helpful in assisting throwing events as well as extremely knowledgeable in what your fundraising efforts help.
The SOWF is an amazing charity that helps the families of wounded and fallen Special Ops servicemen. These men and women give everything for their country and the SOWF does their best to give everything they can back to the soldiers and their families.

I have supported this organization through Painting with a Twist SOWF nights. As a surviving spouse I know how important it is to find a dedicated and legitimate charity organization for spouses and children. SOWF does it best!

Witnessing the pure expression of care that each and every member of and donor to this charity has been one of the greatest honors I have experienced in recent years. Never in my life have I seen such a dedicated group of people, nor one so committed to bettering the lives of those truly in need. Thank you, SOWF. What an incredible organization.

Having worked with special operators during my military obligation, I am still in awe of their sacrifices and dedication to team, mission, honor and country. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides me with the opportunity to give something back to these warriors and their families, even though it may not be much. They are grateful for every donation no matter the magnitude. Reading the success stories of the children who receive their educational grants and scholarships lets me know that this organization is doing great work while continuing to honor their fallen teammates.

Love supporting this non-profit as they truly make a difference in the lives of our warriors. Their vision is clear and they work everyday to fulfill it.

I lost my father in Afghanistan back in 2003 when I was just 10 years old. Special Ops has taken care of me 100% by paying for my college. They have gone above and beyond just paying for my college by providing me with gifts and genuine empathy. I couldn't of gone to college without this organization helping me and now I am in my fourth year :)

I had a very close friend and teammate back in the early part of my military life that was KIA. His family had this organization to lean on with their loss. I know the past leadership was great and look forward to the future teams commitment to the same. I have been in several of SOWF events and hope to do more. I have also meet several of the board members and they have the same blessing to help others. Steve McCleary is as good as they come and hope he will stay as long as he can. All the people involved that I have met are very professional. Greg Hataway

I personally was injured in combat in Oct of 2009, the SOWF was the first entities to come to my families side and help in numerous ways that we can honestly never repay. It is truly an honor to be helped and to help write this review for the SOWF. My wife and I in our time of need, especially when I was not supposed to make it through, can't thank them enough. They were able to make things happen that only a truly capable non-profit can only do and that others could not. They come to the aid of so many of my brothers and sisters in arms, and continue to do so every minute! Again, it's thanks to an organization like the SOWF that I can be happy and here today with my family. I truly believe that the SOWF is so strong and capable, because it was founded and run by people who know the standard in special operations, which is "Always exceed the standard, meeting the standard is not good enough, lives depend on it." Thank you again SOWF, my family and I are eternally thankful!

Respectfully,

TSgt Robert Gutierrez Jr
Combat Controller

I am a supporter of this organization for the good works they do. Special Operators do the tpooughest jobs in the toughest places and do not talk about their work. They are the "Quiet Professionals". The SOWF helps to take care of families of these folks and adds to our credo of never leaving a man behind.

Being involved with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation for the ten years I have has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have known. They are consummate professionals and have graciously supported or efforts through out. You would be hard pressed to find a better run organization and all with extremely low overhead, just as a charity should operate. Their dedication to providing support to the children of Americas fallen Special Operations Personnel is commendable and without compare. Knowing that support is in place for the men and women down range as they put their lives in harms way doing very complicated jobs protecting our Country...well it is difficult to find words for that. I'll start with these, Thank you!
Lance Hollars

Last year, our fourth close friend headed to Afghanistan for the first time, while another returned for his third tour of duty. Our teens wanted to help, in addition to standing by their friends, the men's children. Researching on charity watchdog Charity Navigator, they found the top rated Special Operations Warrior Foundation, & chose to have our family join them as donors in honor of a young man from their high school, Heath Robinson, a Seal who died in battle, leaving a young family behind.

SOWF spends shockingly little on administration & are rightly recognized as being in the top 1% of all organizations reviewed by Charity Navigator. They provide 3 critical services. 1) Seriously wounded Special Ops members - from any branch of the military - can have their family by their side when they are hospitalized out of country. 2) The children of Spec Ops soldiers killed protecting us will have scholarships for higher education. 3) That the surviving spouse & children will have a supportive community after the loss of husband & father (& with that the additional loss of the military community that had been home).

My daughter said, "These families exhibit character & commitment that we say we want to see in Americans, it is important that we say to them, 'We've got your backs."

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation changed my life.
Along with it making it financially possible for me to go to college... All of the people involved have been like a second family to me!

I have volunteered with this group many times and the leadership is amazing. This group helps out so many people of fallen military members and they don't waste a dime. Special Operations is a family on and off-duty, both in life and in death. They never forget who has sacrificed for the country and do what they can to help those people and families out.

SOWF goes above and beyond to take care of each and every recipient. I believe their efforts far exceed their mission/vision and they continue to change lives in a paramount way.

Each year I spend hundreds of hours putting on events to raise funds for the SOWF. Over the past three years my events have raised over $100,000 for the SOWF. I would not put in this kind of work or give this kind of money to just any charity. I have seen first hand how overhead expenses are kept to a minimum and that nearly all the money we raise goes to the education of children.

My son's father SFC Michael j. Tully was killed in Iraq. The SOWF has been by my side supporting us in every way they possibly can. My son, now graduated from high school is attending college in PA, enrolled in the engineering program, thanks to the SOWF we have had no out of pocket expenses, and he was able to go on to college. They check on my son's needs and keep in contact with our family to help in any way needed. Our deepest thanks goes out to this extraordinary organization!

The SOWF provided me with an education that has lead me to the career I currently have without worrying about student loans. After my father was killed in a training accident in 1994, my mother became a single parent to two daughters. Having the security, compassion, and support of the SOWF my sister and I were able to carry out our futures the way our father would have wanted as well as taking a burden off our mother. My family and I could not be more grateful!

I've been involved with many charitable organizations over the course of my professional career and SOWF stands out in its commitment to the population it serves. With its small staff working closely together they have been able to swiftly act to meet the ever changing needs of their families. As a nonprofit they excel at their work while keeping overhead expenses to a minimum. Well deserved 5 star rating.

I do not have the words to express the gratitude I have for everyone that is involved with SOWF. My kids have a group of peers just like them. It may not sound like much but it is the world to them. It is hard losing your father and not having people understand what you are going through. The WOLF camp made my kids feel less like outsiders and gave them something I could not give them, friends that under stand. On top of the friends the camp offered life skills that will help them with their future. Everyone at SOWF is there for the kids and to me that is the best that you can get. They are always looking for way to help my kids weather it is help to get to college or just a home computer. I am so grateful to them and everything that they do!!!

Having worked with this charity for three-plus years now, I can't think of a better cause to support. The fact that the staff is small and the overhead is low makes interacting with the SOWF a very personal experience. You literally get to know them. But first and foremost, the Warrior Foundation does what it says it's going to do, and isn't afraid to make exceptions to its policy when needed, such as in October 2013, when it provided $20,000 grants to the families of the four special ops troops killed in Afghanistan who did not immediately receive the customary $100,000 in death benefits due to them because of the government shutdown. The money provided to the families by the SOWF offset their travel and burial costs. These funds were the first the families received. God bless our special operations forces troops, their families, and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

I was wounded in a helicopter crash while overseas. The SOWF stepped in and provided funding for my family when the military didn't pay me, due to an issue with orders. I will always be grateful to this organization for everything that they did for me.

I learned about this organization after learning about and meeting Keni Thomas who served as a Task Force Ranger in the Battle of Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993. This is a wonderful organization that cares for the families of our fallen soldiers. Many of the children would never have the chance to go to college without the hard work and dedication of these outstanding people. There are many things this organization does and I know God blesses them all each and every day.

I lost my son Staff SGT. Joseph Curreri ODA 155 on October 26, 2007. I was clearly devastated and had no idea how to go on with my life. My son wanted to become a US HIstory professor and teach the next generation about our great country. My family and I decided to start a scholarship in his name that would benefit Special Operations Warrior Foundation, an organization Joe knew abut and believed in. I am a college counselor and I support the work SOWF does so well. Little did we know that Special Operations staff would consider us family. They have helped us through the grief and healing process every step of the way. Whenever I feel down, I know I can call on anyone in their office and find comfort. I love the work they do for children who want to go to college but have lost a Special Operations parent in training or combat. My family and I try to sponsor fundraisers each year to keep the scholarship going-each year Special Operations staff tries to attend our events to support us. This organization is so professional and helps so many people, especially the children of the fallen; their outreach is invaluable!

I just found out about this organization through my nephew who is an Army Ranger. It is incredible that there are organizations like this that take care of the families of the men and women killed in service to our country. Then I saw the movie, Captain Philipps" and was stunned by what those Navy SEALs can do. Thank God for foundations like SOWF.

This organization helps the children of fallen Special Operations Military by sending them to college. They depend on volunteerism. I understand 100% of donations go to this cause.

I have been giving to this Nonprofit for years. It was established by a commander of an old unit I served in when I served the Special Operation Community. They take less then 5% in overhead, what you donate helps the family's of fallen warriors. Many young people have attended college due to this operation! I have received letters of thanks every time I donate and on a few occasions they have sent me a magazine highlighting the family's that have been helped and where the money actually goes. The operation is smartly run and even allows you to pay for the credit card/debit processing fees when you donate if you wish to help their bottom line and send more to the intended recipients! Last I heard over 200 children had graduated college with assistance since this fund was established! Thousands have been helped and they also assist families get to Bethesda to care for wounded warriors as well. Great outfit all around. I recommend you visit http://www.specialops.org/ their homepage and learn more. If I recall correctly many folks donate their time and are not paid. These guys and gals show what TRUE charity is about!

I first learned of SOWF when I read Michael Durant's book about the Battle of Mogadishu (aka Black Hawk Down), where he mentioned them. I did my research and found that they were a top-rated charity with the vast majority of donations going to the children of fallen Special Operators in the form of college scholarships. Over the years I've seen a bunch of kids whose fathers were killed in Mogadishu being given the opportunity to attend university through scholarships granted by SOWF and every one was very grateful for it. This is a very well run organization and the publications they issue to donors once or twice a year are very well done and let donors see first hand the children that are being helped, along with some background on their fallen parent. Our Special Forces have been very active in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the world and the families of those who have given their lives in the service of our country deserve our support. SOWF is the best charity I know of that helps these families.

This is a great foundation that serves our fallen and injured service men and women

I have been donating to this organization since it's founding and will continue to support SOWF.

I am a Veteran active in many charities, always searching to support only the best.SOWF performs their mission every day for over thirty years second to none. They take care of needs in an efficient and timely matter that nobody else does. We never leave anyone behind and these folks live that. Major (ret) Terry Sheehan louisvillesheehan@yahoo.com for any questions.

We have men and women who die for us. The least we can do is help their children. This foundation gives each child of a special operations personnel who is killed in the line of duty a scholarship for college - and the family gets educational and financial counseling. I am always feel good when I send a check because I know there is very little overhead and the survivors are truly receiving the money.

As a 9/11 first responder , I feel the debt we owe the amazing men and women who righted the wrong is immeasurable . The SOWF helps the families of those who have fallen to keep us safe . I cannot thank them enough for the amazing help they give these wonderful families .

This Organization has a great group of organizers and volunteers who are dedicated to the cause and they have the biggest hearts you could ever imagine. Amazing charity, amazing people, and an even better more amazing results.

This charity provides substantial scholarships to the children of the fallen special operations community. They also stepped up during the recent Government shut down to provide funeral expenses for fallen soldiers since the Death Benefits were not being paid out to families. A Charity where you see the money goes to those in need.

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation has been a part of my family since November 2000. At that time, they essentially wrapped their arms around my family after a tragic loss, and they have been around every since then. In the past few years, the SOWF has become an even greater part of our lives as my daughter comes closer to graduation from high school and entrance into college. This summer we were able to meet the members of the SOWF while in Tampa and we were very impressed with the professional but family oriented group of people working there. They have been and remain focused on my daughter's future, almost, if not more than I am! This is a wonderful organization that deserves the highest if honors for their service, sacrifice, and commitment to the children of our fallen warriors!
Anita Hollis

I have worked with SOWF to assist and meet the needs of Special Operations Families for a few years. Recently, I found out after the fact that SOWF stepped up to assist my family in the most gracious of ways during our difficult time. SOWF often does this in both small and significant ways and mostly under the radar and without alot of publicity. During the gov't shutdown where our political leaders failed to prepare accordingly for the families of our fallen, it was the SOWF who stepped up before other organizations to ensure families were taken care of and it was not a loan but a grant/gift. Again, they did not get all the news coverage that other organizations received. Bless this phenomenal organization and those who supporting them.

The special operations warriors foundations not only made my dreams of becoming an elementary teacher a reality, they were super friendly and encouraging along the way. I will forever be grateful for everything they did for me and my family. Because of this great organization I am now in a position to help them help other families.

I was recently at a fundraising event for the SOWF and I am so happy that I was able to learn about this wonderful organization. One of the college scholarship recipients talked about how the foundation changed her life -- not only from the college tuition -- but by having the staff become part of her extended family. She received frequent phone calls inviting her and her mother to upcoming events, and receiving birthday cards (which she kept every card she has received). There was not a dry eye in the room as she described how she lost her father, but gained another kind of family member.

It was easy to see the impact of this foundation's good work. I was also impressed by the fact that it is so well-run. Charity Navigator rated them as a four-star charity because of their financial efficiency. That is very important as well. Thank goodness there are organizations like SOWF to take care of the families of fallen heroes.

I have been volunteering for the SOWF for a number of years. I have seen the impact being made by this foundation and amazed that it is run by only a handful of hardworking and dedicated individuals. The families of fallen and wounded special operations troops are in good hands with the SOWF, who have been reviewed by watchdog groups and proven to be efficient.

I have been researching which "Warrior" charity to contribute to.

I also am appalled at the CEO and Director salaries in six figures for the CEO and Director of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. I am surprised at your high rating given to this charity and they feature an
administrative overhead of 5 per cent on their front page.

An Admiral on the board of directors has hired his daughter to work there as a Business Relations Manager and this is not nepotism and therefore not also misuse of funds?

When I donate to a charity I do not want a gift in return. I know Special Operations Warrior Foundation is a fiscal responsible charity, maybe small by many standards but very efficient. Thank you!!!

I have been volunteering for Special Operations Warrior Foundation since shortly after my son was killed in Iraq in 2005. It was my son's charity of choice. Just days after he was killed the SOWF was in contact with us. They told us that my grandson would receive a full college education or trade school of his choice and cover everything. We wanted to do something to help as grandparents. We did a cross country motorcycle event and do many of the events in California so that the staff does not have to travel this far. They have always welcomed our help and made us feel more like family. Our grandson is a name and not a number to the staff. We have come to know everyone that works with the Special Ops Warrior Foundation. I recently wrote a book and all proceeds go to the Spec Ops Warrior Foundation. Our grandson is only eight, but there are so many children that are in need that we want to help as many as we can. This is the only non-profit that we are involved with now. We consider ourselves part of their family!

This charity is lean, with a single office and a staff of 11. Yet it manages to provide substantial monetary and emotional support to our nation's special operations forces deployed around the world; and their families. They ensure the children of fallen spec ops personnel receive funds for college and for living expenses while they are in school, so students can focus strictly on college or vocational/technical school. We have a 98% graduation rate among our scholarship recipients, in part because of the expenses being covered and in part because many of these kids who have lost a parent, learn at a young age that the scholarship will be there for them in the future. It's a guarantee. The foundation's relationship with the surviving spouse and children begins shortly after their special operator is lost in operations or training, Kids receive birthday cards and Christmas cards; outings are organized for the kids and retreats for the spouses. Academic and grief counseling are also readily available. For the wounded, the SOWF sends $3k overnight cash grants to the families of hospitalized SOF personnel so their loved ones can get to their bedsides right away. It's a great cause, the personnel and the families are so appreciative, and 95 cents of each dollar donated goes directly to these programs. That speaks volumes.

As a Navy SEAL widow I am exposed to several NP organizations. I will say that the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) is one of the BEST supporting our small group of SpecWar widows. Unlike the unfocused, biased and corrupt Navy SEAL Foundation, the SOWF is ever present in our lives. They offer services and retreats which are DIRECTLY beneficial to us widows. They operate on a limited budget yet manage to be one of the BEST is offering us assistance is various ways. Wish more people knew about SOWF so as to donate to an organization which ACTUALLY helps those they say they are helping! 5 stars is an understatement!

SOWF is simply one of the FINEST charity organizations I have ever worked with. I have known numerous kids that were helped by their organization. I couldn't ask for them to be any better.

I cannot support charities whose CEO or Executive Director is making a 6 figure salary. I am appalled with the fact that the CEO of this charity is being paid over $200,000.00 a year and they have another director at over $100,000.00. I would far rather that my hard earned money to towards benefiting a service person, not lining the pockets of some executive. Shame on you.

SOWF is a great program. The staff is super friendly and they answer any questions you might have whenever you ask them. I love being part of the SOWF family because they have been so generous and kind to pay for my college tuition, housing, books, meal plans, etc when I know without them going to college would have been a challenge. They've fulfilled not only my dream of getting a higher education but also my dad's who was KIA in 2003 dreams of me going to college. He would be so proud to know that there are organizations out there like SOWF that help the wounded and killed soilders families go to school. Thank you SOWF for all that you do. You're the best!