Is this the right place to ask about a veteran non-profit
September 12, 2023
by a searcher from University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Good morning/afternoon/evening all.
I co-founded a non-profit this summer centered around helping veterans who are transitioning from the military into civilian life. It has since morphed into helping transitioning members and current veterans get off the couch, out of their house, and socializing not only with like-minded veterans but with their communities. We're doing this through outdoor activities (think scuba classes, cornhole tournaments, UTV rides, etc.). and through mentorship.
My reason for posting today is to ask if there is anyone out there who can offer advice or point me in a direction that could benefit our organization in order to provide better support and activities for our veterans.
I realize this is not an ETA, per se, but it was started while I learn the ins/outs of working at an ETA at some point.
Also, we are a 501(c) 100% non-profit (using a lot of our own money, currently).
from University of Akron in Charlotte, NC, USA
I commend you for what you are doing!! Very impressive and we need more people like you! Great job! At some point, we all need a little light at the end of the tunnel or a helping hand when we are down. Of course, the people you are serving need it much more than most. Happy to see what you are doing! I truly hope you find great success and if I can offer even the smallest bit of help, I would be happy to do so!
With that being said, I have some experience setting up VA on=the-job training programs for service providers who are trying to teach/provide a skilled trade to Veterans.
In the small biz space especially home services and the like, finding good help is probably the greatest challenge In my experience, Veterans are absolutely phenomenal human capital and are worth the investment to train them and provide them with a path of empowerment, fulfillment and prosperity for themselves within a business.
For your situation, if it were me, I would look to the business community for solutions. First and most basic is just partnering with local business to donate time/resources/capital to sponsor events, activities and/or Veterans themselves.
However, I think an even greater opportunity would be to take advantage of the synergies presented by working with the business community where you help Veterans find their way back into the community not only personally but professionally.
You could not only promote to the businesses the notion of giving back to the Veterans, but you could also promote the opportunity to find maybe the best long-term solutions to their human capital needs.
The owners support, build relationships and offer Veterans activities/events that give them some joy. And, in doing so, potentially help the Veteran find a long-term, rewarding career while helping the business owners solve their urgent human resources/capital problem. You could even help create the On-the-Job training program for the Businesses as part of the value they receive from sponsoring your organization and/or Veterans or at least make them aware of the opportunity to train the Veterans while having their pay partially subsidized by the VA. I believe the VA has an even more involved "Apprentice" program that might have more benefits.
Just my 2 cents... You can always reach out if you want to discuss this or anything else further!
!
from University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT, USA