Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, and Arlington, Virginia. Its stated mission is to "build strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive in the communities they have worked so hard to protect."[1] The current CEO and President is John I. Pray, Jr., Brig Gen, USAF (Ret).

Operation Homefront logo

Operation Homefront currently provides services to military families and post 9/11 wounded, ill or injured veterans, serving all 50 states. Areas not served by a field office are served by the national office. It has an annual revenue of $40 million.[2] Operation Homefront does not currently operate outside of the United States.

History

Operation Homefront was formed in 2002, to support the families of deployed service members immediately following the events of September 11, 2001. The increased deployments and strain on military families lead to the creation of an organization "that provides emergency assistance for U.S. military troops, the families they leave behind, and wounded servicemen when they return home." Since inception, Operation Homefront has fulfilled over 38,000 requests from military families across the U.S., providing more than $22.5 million in relief through the Critical Financial Assistance program.[2]

Programs
An Operation Homefront Christmas event

Operation Homefront focuses its efforts on relief, resiliency and recurring support[3] for military and veteran families. It offers a variety of programs intended to achieve this goal including:

  • Critical Assistance Program: Financial assistance for critical needs such as rent, utilities, and food assistance.[4]
  • Transitional Housing: Operation Homefront Villages[5] and Transitional Homes for Community Reintegration.[6]
  • Permanent Housing: Homes on the Homefront,[7][8][9][10][11][12]
  • Recurring Support Programs include Star Spangled Baby Showers,[13][14] Back-To-School Brigade,[15][16][17] Holiday Meals for Military,[18][19][20] Holiday Toy Drive,[21] and Military Child of the Year Award.[22][23]

Evaluation by charity oversight organizations

Operation Homefront is consistently recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups.[24]

  • Operation Homefront has received a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, the highest award offered, for 11 consecutive years.[25]
  • "A" Rating from CharityWatch[26]
  • Meets all 20 Accountability Standards of the Better Business Bureau[27]
  • Named as a "Best Charity for Your Donations" by Consumer Reports in 2016.[28]
  • Holds Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, their highest level of recognition.[29]

As reported in their audited financials,[30] 92 percent of Operation Homefront's expenditures go directly to their programs supporting military and veteran families.[31]

References
  1. "About Operation Homefront". Operationhomefront.net. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  2. "Annual Report 2017" (PDF). Cms.operationhomefront.org. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  3. "Providing Financial Assistance and Housing Aid to Military Families". Operationhomefront.net. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  4. "Military Application for Assistance". Mafa.operationhomefront.net. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  5. "Rent - Free Transitional Housing Program - for military veterans and their families". Operationhomefront.net. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  6. "Transitional Homes for Community Reintegration". Operationhomefront.org. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  7. "Homes on the Homefront". Homesonthehomefront.org. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  8. "N.J. military family receives-free home: 'It's called winning the lottery'". Philly.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  9. Bodley, Peter. "Veteran receives mortgage-free home in Coon Rapids". Abcnewspapers.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  10. "Welcome to 'Mason's Ridge': Army couple receive new, mortgage-free home in Salisbury - Salisbury Post". Salisburypost.com. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  11. "Meritage Homes Gives Free Home to Iraq War Veteran". Bizjournals.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  12. "Operation Homefront provides mortgage-free home to Navy Veteran". Bizjournals.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  13. "New, expectant military moms showered with gifts at joint base". Nj.com. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  14. Spicer, Ashley. "Community honors, welcomes military moms-to-be". News4jax.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  15. "Back to School Brigade - Free school supplies for military kids". Operationhomefront.net. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  16. "Back to School Brigade strikes again". Operationhomefront.net. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  17. Herald, David A. Bryant Fort Hood. "Operation Homefront preps military kids for school year". M.kdhnews.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  18. "Operation Homefront - Holiday Meals for Military". Operationhomefront.net. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  19. Olson, Yadira Sanchez. "200 military families treated to holiday meals through Operation Homefront". Chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  20. Satchell, Emily (5 December 2016). "Operation Homefront gives free meals to over 500 local military families". Wavy.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  21. "OH Holiday Toy Drive: Help Make The Season Bright!". Operationhomefront.net. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  22. "Military Child of the Year". Militarychildoftheyear.org. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  23. Jowers, Karen (8 August 2017). "America's top general says military kids are good for the force". Militarytimes.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  24. "Your Money: Honor veterans by helping legitimate charities". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  25. "Charity Navigator - Historical Ratings for Operation Homefront". Charity Navigator. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  26. "Operation Homefront - Charity Ratings - America's Most Independent Charity Watchdog". Charitywatch.org. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  27. "Charity Report - Operation Homefront - give.org". Give.org. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  28. "Best and Worst Charities for Your Donations". Consumerreports.org. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  29. "Operation Homefront Receives Prestigious 2018 GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency". Prweb.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  30. "2015 Final Fiscal Report" (PDF). Cme.operationhomefront.net. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  31. "Top charities give larger portion to services than Wounded Warrior Project". Stripes.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
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