Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation American Heroes?
Operation American Heroes (OAH) is a 501c-3 organization that has been established to serve our heroes. The mission of OAH is to be a national, permanent foundation created to support those organizations that effectively serve America's heroes in their time of need. Operation American Heroes has been established to efficiently raise funds to support organizations that are effectively providing needed services.
Why is there a need for Operation American Heroes?
1. Since our nation was attacked on September 11, 2001 millions of Americans have stepped up to defend our country. These heroes are putting their lives on the line every day to protect us and our way of life. More than 5,600 have paid the ultimate price and many thousands more are returning from tours of service severely injured. These courageous Americans are returning from their service paralyzed, without their vision, missing limbs, severely burned and with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). In addition to those with physical injuries, there are many more suffering emotionally with post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). High levels of domestic abuse, divorce and suicide attest to the tremendous level of stress that is being experienced.
In previous conflicts our medical community did not have the understanding they have now with regard to PTSD and many returning veterans turned to self medication with alcohol and drugs available on the street. When these methods no longer sufficiently dulled the pain, many elected to end their life to escape the suffering. With the better understanding we now have of these issues, we owe this generation of heroes much better treatment. These men and women need and deserve our help now and will for many years in the future.
2. Fundraising for charity can be extremely expensive / inefficient. The cost of fundraising can exceed 50, 60, 70 percent or even more of what is raised, with only a small percentage actually doing the work for which it was donated. There have even been instances where unscrupulous individuals have raised money to enrich themselves, never intending to use the money for charity. The generosity of the American people needs to be better rewarded. People making donations deserve to get the maximum bang for every buck they donate.
How will Operation American Heroes help?
Operation American Heroes exists for the sole purpose of efficiently raising money, growing it and getting that money into the hands of charities that have been vetted as the best in class when it comes to serving our returning veterans in need. Operation American Heroes will allow anyone to make a donation with full knowledge that their contribution will provide the maximum benefit to those in need.
What does Operation American Heroes do differently?
Operation American Heroes is not just another charity trying to raise money for a specific need. OAH is focused on raising money efficiently so that the maximum amount of every dollar raised is available to serve a charitable purpose. We raise money and distribute it to organizations that have been properly vetted and do an exceptional job serving our returning veterans in need. OAH acts to provide funding so that organizations that excel in providing services can focus on what they do well, knowing that the funding will be available. They are not forced to participate in what are often very inefficient methods of fundraising. Operation American Heroes provides funding to great organizations when it is needed.
Why is Operation American Heroes so important?
The need for services is great. The generosity of the American people is tremendous, but they expect results for the money they contribute. In the past decade there have been several events that resulted in an outpouring of public generosity. Some of these events raised billions of dollars, but because there was not an organization designed to effectively employ the donations, many people felt in hindsight that much of their donation was wasted. Operation American Heroes exists to provide transparency and accountability to the effort of raising money to support our returning heroes. The public must know that every dollar they contribute is serving our heroes. Through Operation American Heroes they will have that assurance.
How are donations spent?
Contributions to Operation American Heroes are distributed to charities that the OAH vetting process has determined need funding and have demonstrated an excellent track record assisting our returning veterans.
Why is Operation American Heroes set up as a permanent Foundation?
Operation American Heroes is set up as a permanent foundation to insure that funds are always available when and where they are needed and that we get the maximum benefit for every dollar donated. The board anticipates that a majority of each individual donation and a significant portion of the contributions made by a business will fund the permanent foundation which will in turn generate income to be distributed. While clearly there is an immediate need for funding in several areas, the key to maximizing the benefit provided by the supported organizations is to provide them with a predictable flow of funds based on which they can budget services.
Many returning veterans will need assistance for years to come. In addition to those already identified as needing assistance, there will be many more that currently feel unaffected by their experience, but years from now will have demons from their experience rise up and will require assistance.
The fund will also be there to help those returning from future conflicts. While we all pray that this conflict will be our last, we are reminded that Plato's prediction over 2,350 years ago that, "Only the dead have seen the end of war" has yet to be disproved. Operation American Heroes will be there when and where it is needed.
What expenses are incurred by Operation American Heroes and how much of my donation actually gets to a veteran recipient or a veteran program?
Currently Operation American Heroes has very little in the way of operating expenses and these have been absorbed by the founders of the organization. In the future we hope to grow the organization to a size where it will be necessary to hire several disabled veterans on a full time basis to administer the organization. OAH has also set a goal to obtain corporate sponsors, who will agree to fund the organization's administration out of their contribution. By having a limited number of corporate sponsors covering the administrative costs, OAH will be much more accountable to keep administrative spending to a minimum. This will also allow for 100% of all other donations to go directly toward benefiting veterans and veteran programs.
Why choose Operation American Heroes?
Business owners and corporations are asked to donate to many causes. Often they know very little about the organizations and based on that lack of knowledge they are not comfortable making a donation. Operation American Heroes provides businesses with a one stop donation center, where donations can be made with confidence.
Who makes the decision as to how the funds are allocated and dispersed?
Decisions on how the funds are dispersed are made by the Board of Directors, based on the input from the vetting committee.
How can I Help?
The quickest way to help is to go to the "DONATE" button and make a contribution. We also hope that you will click on the "HOW CAN I HELP" button to learn about several opportunities available to do even more. This section of our site includes sample e-mails that can be sent to friends and colleagues regarding OAH. It has sections for business owners with ideas to promote your business. There is a section for civic organizations looking to sponsor a charity. There is also a section for public companies that would like to add OAH to the list of charities they sponsor. Each section contains sample letters as well as customizable flyers, letters and banners that can be downloaded to support your activities.
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