Green Beret Foundation
Nonprofit — Veterans Services / Military Support
The Green Beret Foundation (GBF) is a distinguished nonprofit organization that provides specialized assistance to U.S. Army Special Forces Soldiers, their families, caregivers, and surviving loved ones. Since its founding in 2009, the Foundation has been dedicated to delivering vital support through programs that address the unique challenges faced by the Special Forces community. Headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, the organization remains devoted to honoring the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of America’s elite warriors while strengthening their families and communities.
Origins and Founding Purpose
The Green Beret Foundation was founded in 2009 by Aaron Anderson, a Special Forces Soldier who was seriously injured in combat. While recovering, Anderson saw firsthand the lack of consistent and comprehensive support available to injured Green Berets and their families. Determined to fill that gap, he created the Foundation to provide the care, resources, and advocacy these Soldiers truly needed.
From its earliest days, the Foundation’s purpose has been to stand beside Green Berets through life’s most difficult moments. Its mission centers on providing direct financial aid, recovery assistance, and access to resources that are often unavailable through standard military or governmental channels. This ensures that Green Berets and their families receive the help they deserve—when and where they need it most. Over the years, the Foundation has grown into a trusted organization that continues to uphold its founding values of integrity, service, and unwavering support.
Services and Programs
The Green Beret Foundation’s programs are comprehensive and carefully designed to meet both immediate and long-term needs within the Special Forces community. Every service aims to strengthen Soldiers and families physically, mentally, and emotionally while empowering them to thrive beyond their time in uniform.
Health & Wellness
Among the Foundation’s five pillars of support, health and wellness are central to its mission. This pillar emphasizes the well-being of the mind, body, and spirit for both Green Berets and their families. Through specialized healthcare and recovery programs, the GBF addresses physical and psychological challenges that traditional systems may not fully cover.
The Foundation provides access to advanced treatments such as the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) for post-traumatic stress, infrared light therapy, substance-use treatment, and the use of Normatec and Hyperice recovery systems. These therapies and technologies help reduce pain, improve circulation, accelerate healing, and enhance overall performance. Each initiative reflects the Foundation’s commitment to individualized care and long-term health.
Within this pillar, the Task Force Tatanka initiative focuses on psychological wellness and mental strength. It promotes resilience through peer-to-peer interaction, family involvement, and evidence-based performance practices. Task Force Tatanka supports the emotional and cognitive readiness of Green Berets and their families, ensuring they can sustain balance, overcome adversity, and maintain operational and personal resilience.
Casualty Support
The Casualty Support program is a critical part of the Foundation’s mission. It provides immediate financial assistance to Special Forces Soldiers who are wounded or injured during combat or training. This aid covers essential needs, including travel, lodging, and caregiver accommodations, enabling families to stay together throughout the recovery process.
The Green Beret Foundation coordinates closely with the U.S. Special Operations Command Care Coalition to ensure the timely and effective delivery of this support. By easing financial burdens during times of crisis, the Foundation allows Soldiers and their loved ones to focus entirely on healing and rehabilitation.
Gold Star & Surviving Families
The Gold Star and Surviving Families program reflects the Foundation’s lasting commitment to the families of fallen Green Berets. It provides financial assistance, emotional support, and advocacy to help survivors navigate the many challenges that follow loss.
Beyond initial assistance, the Foundation remains committed to fostering long-term relationships with these families. By honoring their sacrifices and ensuring continued recognition, the GBF ensures that the legacy of fallen Green Berets endures through care, remembrance, and community.
Transition Support
The transition from active military service to civilian life can be one of the most difficult journeys for Green Berets. The Foundation’s Next Ridgeline program addresses this challenge by providing Soldiers with a wide range of resources and guidance to prepare for life after service.
This program provides pre-transition education, individualized career counseling, and scholarship opportunities. It also connects transitioning Soldiers with mentorship and development tools to support successful civilian careers.
The Foundation’s Veteran Services Officers (VSOs) extend this mission by offering expert assistance with VA claims and benefits. Since achieving VA accreditation, the VSO team has processed over 600 claims, generating approximately $2.3 million in monthly payments for Green Berets and their families. This effort not only strengthens financial security but also helps Soldiers receive the recognition and support they have earned.
Family Support
The Green Beret Foundation recognizes that the family is the foundation of every Soldier’s success. Through its Steel Mags program, the GBF provides a community network for spouses, caregivers, and survivors. This initiative empowers participants through shared experiences, emotional connection, and ongoing encouragement.
The Foundation also invests in the education and future of Green Beret families through scholarships. The Athena Scholarship supports spouses in furthering their education, while the Special Forces Scholarship Fund provides opportunities for the children of Green Berets to pursue academic excellence. These programs reinforce the Foundation’s belief that supporting families strengthens the entire Special Forces community.
Organizational Impact and Achievements
Since its establishment, the Green Beret Foundation has made a profound impact on the lives of Special Forces Soldiers and their families. The organization has provided more than $28 million in direct assistance and supported over 26,000 Special Forces families worldwide.
The GBF operates with a commitment to efficiency and transparency, ensuring that resources go where they matter most. Eighty-four cents of every dollar raised directly fund programs and services. This strong record of financial stewardship has earned the Foundation notable recognition, including the Guidestar Platinum Transparency Rating and the Charity Navigator Four-Star Rating, reflecting its dedication to honesty and accountability.
Partnerships and Community Engagement
The Foundation’s success is rooted in collaboration and community involvement. Through partnerships with the Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Special Operations Command, and other nonprofit organizations, the GBF maximizes its reach and impact.
Community events play a vital role in sustaining the mission and raising awareness. Annual gatherings such as Rock the Green Beret, Heroes @ Home Game, SSG Alex Viola Memorial Car Show, Patriot Corporate Cup, Green Beret for a Day, Green Beret Reunion, and the Stars & Stripes Classic help unite supporters and strengthen ties within the Special Forces community. The Greater Cincinnati Chapter exemplifies this spirit of commitment, having supported the Foundation through local fundraising and engagement for more than a decade.
Jedburgh Media Channel
The Jedburgh Media Channel (JMC) serves as a powerful platform for storytelling, leadership, and education. Created and hosted by Green Beret Fran Racioppi, the Channel amplifies the voices and experiences of the Special Forces Regiment. Through interviews and multimedia content, it connects the lessons of service, leadership, and perseverance to audiences across all walks of life.
With more than 77 million views, the JMC extends the Foundation’s influence far beyond its direct programs. It celebrates the courage and values of the Special Forces community while inspiring others to lead with integrity, adaptability, and a sense of purpose.
Governance and Leadership
The Green Beret Foundation operates under the direction of a dedicated Board of Directors and an experienced leadership team, both of which are committed to upholding the integrity of the mission and transparency. Under the guidance of President and CEO Charles Iacono, the Foundation ensures that every initiative aligns with its core values and strategic goals. Through collaborative leadership and operational excellence, the GBF continues to serve the Special Forces community with professionalism and heart.
Financial Integrity and Accountability
The Green Beret Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization (Tax ID #27-1206961). The Foundation follows IRS regulations and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to maintain the highest level of fiscal responsibility. Annual independent audits ensure accuracy, transparency, and accountability in every aspect of financial reporting.
This commitment to integrity builds trust among donors, partners, and the broader community. Every dollar entrusted to the Foundation directly supports its mission to provide meaningful, measurable assistance to Green Berets and their families. Through accountability, service, and compassion, the Green Beret Foundation continues to stand as a beacon of support for America’s Quiet Professionals.