During a time of increasing polarization, The Steamboat Institute (SI) has been a leader bringing civilized discourse back to college campuses. By hosting robust debates among the most renowned experts in the country, their successful Campus Liberty Tour puts current topics like fiscal responsibility, national defense, the role of government and individual responsibility directly in front of college students. Their goal is to increase critical thinking and civics knowledge by showing attendees how to think, not what to think. 

To get a better sense of their work, Philanthropy Roundtable recently interviewed Jennifer Schubert-Akin, chairman, CEO and co-founder of The Steamboat Institute to learn more about their impact. 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Q: What is the mission of The Steamboat Institute? 

Schubert-Akin: Since its founding in 2008, The Steamboat Institute has established a proven-successful track record of inspiring Americans to greatness with high-caliber programs, events and substantive, civilized discourse in support of America’s founding principles. We are energized by the opportunities we have to restore critical thinking and civilized discourse on America’s college campuses.  

SI’s programs equip rising young leaders, college students, everyday citizens and talented young journalists to educate and persuade others to defend American values. We inspire active involvement in the defense of liberty by offering programs that promote five core principles: limited taxation and fiscal responsibility, limited government, free market capitalism, individual rights and responsibility and a strong national defense. 

Q: What was the impetus for The Steamboat Institute to create the Campus Liberty Tour and what makes it unique from other college speaker events? 

Schubert-Akin: Steamboat Institute launched the Campus Liberty Tour in 2018 in response to a request from Bruce Benson, then president of the University of Colorado, to bring more diverse perspectives to the University of Colorado (CU)  Boulder campus with compelling debates.   

While many college speaker events feature just one side of an issue, SI’s Campus Liberty Tour debates bring high-profile speakers to engage in robust but civil debate on hot-button topics, reaching students on both the left and the right. We don’t just “preach to the choir” – our debates are specifically designed to attract students on both sides of the aisle. 

Our very first debate in April 2018 on nationalism vs. globalism was held on the CU Boulder campus and featured the architect of the successful Brexit movement, Nigel Farage, and the former President of Mexico Vicente Fox. We had nearly 1,000 people attending in person, even though it was the same night as the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship! 

An undergrad student at University of Texas at Austin who attended SI’s socialism vs. capitalism debate, featuring Yaron Brook of the Ayn Rand Institute and Bhaskar Sunkara, author of “The Socialist Manifesto,” said, “I came because I wanted to hear a new perspective, because I’ve always thought one way. … I loved hearing their back-and-forth commentary, because it taught me a lot about both sides. I definitely became more moderate from this debate.” 

Another unique aspect of the Campus Liberty Tour debates is the pre- and post-debate audience polling, conducted via QR code, to measure how audience opinions have shifted. Audience members scan the QR codes with their phones, where they are taken to a poll that asks if they agree, disagree or are undecided on the debate resolution.  

The nature of the polling ensures honest responses, free from peer pressure. The poll results are displayed on a large video screen and provide real-time feedback on how opinions have shifted, demonstrating the immediate impact of the debate. Typically, an average of 30% of attendees change their minds in favor of liberty-oriented positions after watching a CLT debate. 

Q: How do you come up with the issues to discuss and select which campuses to host? 

Schubert-Akin: Steamboat Institute has hosted debates on campuses across America, from Pepperdine on the West Coast to Cornell in the Northeast. The selection of campuses is based on demand from the universities, and that demand is growing!  

To host a Campus Liberty Tour debate, the host university must meet certain criteria, including providing use of an appropriate venue seating at least 200 people, promoting the event to the campus community and hosting a “meet and greet” following the debate to allow students to meet and mingle with the speakers. The most important criteria, however, is having a strong partner on campus – such as a free market center, student group and/or professor – who is an effective advocate for bringing the debate to campus and ensuring a successful program. 

Q: What speakers have you hosted and have any schools refused to host one of your events because of topic and/or speaker involved? 

Schubert-Akin:  Steamboat Institute has hosted dozens of debates over the past six years including: 

• University of Maryland’s debate on whether the U.S. must rapidly eliminate greenhouse gas emissions with the undersecretary for Energy in President Obama’s Energy Department, Steven Koonin, Ph.D. and director of Harvard’s Center for the Environment, Daniel Schrag, Ph.D. 

• CU Boulder’s debate on social justice and identity politics with Jason Riley of The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board and Democratic strategist and former head of the Democratic National Committee, Donna Brazile. 

• University of Texas at Austin’s debate on free enterprise vs. government safety net programs with the host of “Making Money” on Fox Business Network Charles Payne and CNN political strategist, Bakari Sellers. 

• Old Parkland Debate Chamber in Dallas debate on whether the risks of academic engagement with China outweigh the benefits to American universities with director of the China Center at the Hudson Institute and professor at the U.S. Naval Academy, Miles Yu, Ph.D. and professor of global economics at MIT, Yasheng Huang, Ph.D. 

Our fall 2024 debate schedule will feature seven debates including new additions Harvard, Brown, New College of Florida and Virginia Military Institute (VMI). The VMI debate on October 3 will feature a debate between former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy on America’s role in the world and the extent to which the U.S. should be involved in global conflicts. This debate will be livestreamed on SI’s YouTube channel. 

Because of the civilized nature of SI’s debates and the high caliber of experts we invite to participate, we are proud that we’ve never had a debate shouted down or canceled. SI prioritizes the building of strong relationships on each campus – with university leadership, free market centers, student groups and professors.  

With these relationships, combined with our reputation for hosting quality programs, we have the support we need to withstand the demands of those who would rather not see any debate happen on campus. The Steamboat Institute is proud that we have been invited back to every campus where we have hosted a CLT debate! 

Q: What is the greatest challenge or need the Campus Liberty Tour has right now? 

Schubert-Akin: With a four-year grant from the Adolph Coors Foundation awarded in 2023, The Steamboat Institute has expanded the Campus Liberty Tour debate series from three to four debates per year to 12 debates in 2024. The challenge from the Coors Foundation to Steamboat Institute is to continue to develop new funding sources to maintain an annual program of 12-14 debates per year after their four-year grant is fulfilled, as well as to continue to develop creative media strategies to grow the online audiences for these quality programs. 

SI is also seeking funding to assist our host universities with adopting a new for-credit course program called “Challenge Your Thinking – Challenge the Conversation.” This program is underway in the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland because of successful collaboration between SI and the Ed Snider Center for Enterprise and Markets. This three-credit course provides students with the opportunity to thoroughly research topics, speak persuasively and critically engage with different viewpoints through debate.  

Q: Anything else you’d like to share with our community? 

Schubert-Akin: This fall The Steamboat Institute will welcome Hadley Heath Manning as executive vice president. This is an important step in SI’s forward-thinking succession planning. Hadley was previously senior vice president with Independent Women’s Forum and was the 2016 recipient of SI’s Tony Blankley Fellowship.  

For questions about the Roundtable’s work related to civics education or to learn more about The Steamboat Institute, please contact Philanthropy Roundtable Portfolio Director Clarice Smith. 

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Philanthropy Roundtable, with support from the Daniels Fund, launched a new Civics Playbook, a digital resource for donors looking to make wise investments in high-impact organizations dedicated to enhancing civics education nationwide. The organizations featured in this resource reflect the Roundtable’s core values of liberty, opportunity and personal responsibility and bring those values to bear in the crucial area of civics education. 

Recent data show a concerning decline in civics knowledge, with only about one-in-six Americans able to name all three branches of government. A recent survey from the Annenberg Center at the University of Pennsylvania found around 5% of American adults can name all five fundamental freedoms in the First Amendment. The 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress report showed only 22% of students scored at or above the level of “proficient” in civics. 

Today, more than ever, a well-informed citizenry is crucial for the maintenance of democracy and the honoring of America’s founding principles. Civics education helps ensure citizens understand their rights and responsibilities, promoting a healthy democratic process. A broad spectrum of Americans — nearly 80% according to a recent poll — support a stronger emphasis on civics education in schools, recognizing its importance regardless of political affiliation. 

The good news is philanthropists are increasingly recognizing and investing in the transformative potential of broad-based civic engagement that emphasizes traditional American values. The new Civics Playbook highlights 12 examples of these donors’ important work and sets the stage for philanthropists to make a transformational difference by investing in similar causes and nonprofits. The playbook focuses on organizations in three key buckets: 

• Curriculum and teaching materials: These organizations are dedicated to providing a solid core of civics education classes. Examples include nonprofits such as the Georgia Center for Civics Education, which provides teacher workshops and curriculum development; the Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement, also offering teacher training and curriculum materials that promote active civic participation and the National Association of Scholars’ Civics Alliance, which focuses on restoring proper civics education to K-12 schools. 

• Investing in Teachers: Well-equipped instructors are the backbone of effective civics education. Nonprofits such as the Jack Miller Center facilitate a nationwide nonpartisan network of academic scholars, both in K-12 and higher education, dedicated to teaching civics in accord with America’s founding principles. Another example is the Bill of Rights Institute, which currently serves a network of more than 76,000 middle school and high school civics and history teachers, representing more than 38% of the market. 

• Experiential learning: Nonprofits such as Founding Forward, the National Constitution Center, the Ashbrook Center and the Museum of the American Revolution give students a hands-on opportunity to experience the importance of civics in the American way of life. Moreover, undertakings such as the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative and the National Civics Bee facilitate opportunities for students to hone their civics knowledge through debate teams and live competitions. Additionally, Junior Achievement of Georgia integrates learning about the free market combined with the importance of civics engagement. 

By supporting these high-impact nonprofits, philanthropists have the opportunity to make a profound difference in civics education based on American principles. Together, we can ensure future generations are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to be active, informed and responsible citizens. 

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“Liberty is a privilege that must continually be fought for, if we are to preserve it. … If our democracy is to be saved, and if we are to win through the difficulties and dangers in which we are involved, the aggregate will, wisdom, strength and determined purpose to do it must come from the body of the private citizenship of this country.” – Rep. Hatton W. Sumners

As the country gathers to celebrate its independence on July Fourth, it is important to recognize those who have been involved in not only its founding, but those who preserve, protect and defend our Constitution.  

Hatton W. Sumners, born and raised on a farm in Tennessee, was determined to study law despite lacking the funds to pursue his educational ambition. In 1894, the Sumners family relocated to Dallas, Texas, where the 20-year-old future congressman persuaded Dallas City Attorney Alfred P. Wozencraft to allow him to “read law” in his office. This eventually resulted in Sumners passing the State Bar of Texas in 1897. Two years later, Sumners was elected prosecuting attorney of Dallas County, serving two nonconsecutive terms before being elected to Congress in 1912.

Sumners was a stalwart defender of the principles of the Unites States Constitution, successfully leading the challenge to then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s proposal to pack the Supreme Court with new justices, where he rightly argued that it violated the separation of powers. His heroic act of countering his party’s president and preserving the integrity of our Constitution cost Sumners his chance at being appointed to the Supreme Court.

Throughout his life, Sumners pursued a love of knowledge and self-education. He established the Sumners Foundation two years after his voluntary retirement from Congress to “encourage the study, teaching and research into the science and art of self-government, to the end that the American people may understand the fundamental principles of democracy and be guided thereby in shaping governmental policies.”

This year celebrates the 75^th anniversary of the founding of the Sumners Foundation, which has invested $86 million in over 200 organizations “whose programs educate citizens about the fundamental principles of American democracy.”

“It was important to Congressman Sumners for citizens to understand that the power of the government comes from the people, from its active citizenry. Power over our lives as Americans does not flow from our government to its people but rather from the people to the government,” said Lon Williams, chairman of the Foundation’s board of trustees. “Further, our individual rights and obligations as citizens are grounded on equal opportunity for all.”

This year, the Sumners Foundation will also celebrate the 65^th year of its Sumners Scholars program, which is a merit-based program that requires successful candidates to demonstrate academic excellence, a sense of civic responsibility and the potential for leadership.

The Scholars program is aimed at undergraduate, doctoral and law school students who demonstrate high academic standards and actively participate in self-government. Providing full tuition and fees in addition to a living allowance, the three-year law school scholarship requires recipients consistently rank at the top one-third of their class, be civically engaged and possess the capacity for leadership. The two-year undergraduate Sumners scholarships offer rising juniors awards $15,000 per year and requires each scholar to maintain at least a 3.50 GPA for renewal each semester.

The Sumners Foundation trustees expect each Sumners Scholar to demonstrate understanding and appreciation of America’s representative democracy. Students must also learn hands on by actively participating in the democratic process on the local, state or national levels. By committing their time by actively engaging in civics, students learn how their participation can better their community and assist the Foundation in carrying out its charitable purposes.

Over the past 65 years, Sumners Scholars have pursued careers including law, education, technology and entrepreneurship. 

One of the first participants in the law school Sumners Scholars program was Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht.

Hecht grew up on a farm in Clovis, New Mexico, and attended Yale University. He worked throughout his four years to afford the tuition and board with the goal of attending law school and becoming the first lawyer in his family. But the cost of law school was way beyond his family’s reach and Hecht had to figure out a way to pay for it. His research led him to learn about the impact Sumners had on the country and the Sumners Foundation’s full scholarship offered at Southern Methodist University Law School.

“The Foundation talked about paying back after you got out and I was very receptive to that,” Hecht said.

Hecht remains involved with the Sumners Scholars program and in the fall of 2023, the trustees invited him to join the board.

“It’s just life changing for me. They’re changing lives, giving these kids opportunities they might not have been able to have without that financial security for sure.”

For questions about the Roundtable’s work related to civics education or to learn more about the Sumners Foundation or it’s Scholar program, please contact Philanthropy Roundtable Portfolio Director Clarice Smith.

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Philanthropy Roundtable’s Free to Give campaign elevates the voices of everyday Americans who have dedicated their careers to supporting those in need. Their work is made possible by the freedom of all Americans to give to the causes and communities they care about most. 

Philanthropy Roundtable recently had the privilege of interviewing a representative of No One Left Behind, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting former interpreters and U.S. government employees who qualify for the Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) programs. The Roundtable also spoke with Matt Watters, a former Green Beret with the United States Army Special Forces and current member of No One Left Behind’s Board of Directors, along with Sahil, Watters’s interpreter in Afghanistan. 

Founded by Janis Shinwari, a former Afghan interpreter who arrived in the United States by way of the SIV program, No One Left Behind has evacuated approximately 6,800 Afghans to safety and provided over $3.75 Million in resettlement assistance to approximately 6,630 newly resettled allies in the United States since 2021 alone. 

Watters and Sahil discuss the crucial role of our allies left behind under Taliban rule, and highlight the need for continued advocacy and support. No One Left Behind emphasizes how critical donor privacy and the freedom to give are to their mission. 

No One ​L​eft Behind estimates that 140,000 allies remain in Afghanistan fearing for their lives and waiting for America to fulfill its promise. 

The following interview has been edited for clarity and length.  

Q: Matt, can you give us a quick history of your service and time in Afghanistan? 

Watters: I was deployed with the U.S. Army Special Forces as a Green Beret. My deployment in 2020 was during the wind-down of operations in Afghanistan. But it was highly kinetic with a lot of combat, which was unusual for that time. We were an expeditionary force out of Bagram, moving to wherever there was fighting in the country. 

Sahil was assigned as our interpreter along with a couple of others. As a weapons sergeant, I often worked closely with the Afghan Special Forces. Green Berets are unique in that we act as teachers, conducting complex missions often through allied forces. 

In Afghanistan, we trained the Afghan Special Forces in advanced techniques and conducted missions together. This collaboration was impossible without interpreters, as I spoke essentially no Pashto, the native language. A great interpreter like Sahil did more than translate; he helped us understand the culture and political landscape. For instance, he was able to learn from local kids where the Taliban or ISIS-K had placed IEDs (improvised explosive device), potentially saving our lives by avoiding those areas. 

Q: Sahil, we’re curious, what inspired you to become an interpreter?  

Sahil: I started working as an interpreter during my childhood. The American and Afghan soldiers and interpreters would come to the streets where we lived. The soldiers would talk to the kids and give them chocolates, water and such. I was very small and I thought, “I can be an interpreter someday.” When I grew up, I saw the Taliban and ISIS killing innocent students, people and teachers. I believe that the Taliban and ISIS were terrorists. I believed in democracy which is why I wanted to work with U.S. forces to help Afghan’s previous government resist the Taliban. So, I joined as an interpreter in 2019 and I met Matt in 2020. I worked for a year as an interpreter, and I went on almost 150 missions with those teams. 

Q: Matt, as a veteran, can you share why it’s so important to advocate for the interpreters who are still in Afghanistan or other countries?  

Watters: The first thing I would say is it’s incredibly dangerous for our interpreters like Sahil. You’re basically asking them to go on these missions with us without combat training. They’re walking into a gunfight with just a bulletproof vest on. Secondly, they’re flagging themselves to their community as being part of our effort. They could very easily face ramifications for that, should we not succeed.  

America promises safe passage to the U.S. for those who serve with us honorably. This promise matters for our ability to recruit future interpreters and help but also to the soldier who’s making that promise – there’s nothing more important than your word. There is an incredible bond when you go through trauma or combat together because you are so dependent on the people around you and interpreters become part of your team. So, when you leave you take comfort in the fact that you can help them through the SIV and come to America should they ever need it. 

Q: Can you expand on what it looks like on the ground in Afghanistan, Sahil? I imagine you still have family and friends there?  

Sahil: It is deteriorating and getting worse. Right now, our people don’t have freedom of speech. Nobody can say anything against those in charge or the media. I have friends there who cannot leave their homes after the Taliban took power. They were interpreters, laborers or mine detectors for the U.S. and they’re still hiding. So right now, their life is not safe. 

Watters: No One Left Behind keeps a roster of SIV eligible people. Not just interpreters, but people who could have been fixers or drivers for U.S. forces—we have more than 300 people on the list. Sahil mentioned friends who are not leaving their houses, but we know of others who have literally been hiding in a room because they don’t feel safe to get out and walk around because they were so visible to the community as being part of U.S. efforts. People have had to send their families to live in other places for safety and haven’t seen those family members for years. It’s just a tragic circumstance. 

Q: How is No One Left Behind filling the gap caused by the failure of our government to keep its promises to our Afghan interpreters by bringing them for resettlement in the U.S.? How has philanthropy stepped in to help America keep our promise to our allies? 

No One Left Behind: No One Left Behind is the nation’s oldest charitable organization dedicated to fulfilling America’s promise to our Afghan and Iraqi allies. As it stands today, 140,000 allies and their family members remain left behind in Afghanistan in fear for their lives. This reality is a national failure that spans administrations and Congresses of both parties. As an organization, we believe it is up to us collectively as a nation to do the right thing and stand true to our word. 

Because of generous donors, volunteers and our dedicated staff, we serve our allies by way of evacuation, resettlement and advocacy efforts. Since August of 2021 alone, we’ve evacuated 6,797, supported 6,629 here in the United States and played a role in passing critical legislation, including the largest addition of visas (12,000) in the program’s history. Philanthropy has made all of this possible and is the driving force in ensuring our work continues until every promise has been fulfilled. 

Q: Because of the work you do, how important is donor privacy to No One Left Behind’s mission? 

No One Left Behind: No One Left Behind maintains high standards of privacy. We always ensure that our allies’ information is kept safe from those that would do them harm. That ethos carries over to our donors whose privacy we protect. We are funded strictly by generous donors, not the government. Simply put, donors are the reason we’re able to do this life-saving work. We take pride in safeguarding our donors’ information and protecting their privacy at every stage of the donation process. We are honored by their financial contributions and feel it is our duty to safeguard their privacy. 

Q: Why do you believe protecting the freedom to give – the freedom of all Americans to support the charities and nonprofits they choose, and the right to do anonymously – is vital to the American charitable sector? 

No One Left Behind: Protecting the freedom to give is crucial for maintaining a vibrant and effective American charitable sector. It is not just about facilitating donations. It’s about upholding the principles of generosity, diversity, privacy and democracy that are fundamental to our nation’s charitable sector. Ultimately, protecting the freedom to give ensures that nonprofits, regardless of size, focus or history, can continue to make a meaningful difference in the world. 

View more stories about the importance of philanthropic freedom at FreeToGive.org. 

Philanthropy Roundtable is grateful to all the men and women who have served our country. We owe you our freedom and will never forget your sacrifice and courage. For questions about the Roundtable’s work related to veterans or America’s founding principles, please contact Philanthropy Roundtable Portfolio Director Clarice Smith. 

Photo source: SSG William Tremblay

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The day we heard the news I could not sleep. The agonizing pain, the disbelief and heartache were too much to bear. My eyes were swollen from tears, my heart was filled with sorrow and my mind couldn’t stop racing. 

After tossing and turning all night, I got up and put on my uniform. It was early and pitch-black outside, and I remember using my flashlight to find a fresh uniform packed deep in my duffle bag. I grabbed my weapon, put on headgear and met fellow soldiers to walk across the base.

I saw four to six Army band soldiers warming up when we arrived at the base. I distinctly remember the trumpet player blowing into the muzzle and the trombone player making adjustments. I spotted a few soldiers and friends from my battalion who had flown in from other RC-East bases. They were preparing for what was about to happen. To my left was an enormous empty plane with the rear door open. 

The small group of us who arrived continued to stand there. Then it happened. “Salute arms!”

As I raised my right hand to my right eyebrow the Army band started playing Taps. Then, an M939 five-ton cargo truck drove toward us. My friends I had just spotted were seated facing each other with our friend and comrade, Cpl. Christopher Coffland (“Coff”) in the middle—in a casket with an American flag draped over it. 

I had never experienced debilitating grief like I was feeling in that moment in time.

What was well known about Coff was his resolute patriotism and the depth of his friendships. After an already fulfilling life playing professional football in Europe and studying anthropology by living with Pygmies of Gabon, Africa, Coff’s desire to serve and his selflessness ultimately led him to enlist in the Army Reserves at age of 41 and 11 months, just one month short of the cut off age to enlist. He thought his fascination with working with people would align seamlessly with military intelligence work, and it did.

As the music continued, the soldiers shuffled out of the truck and carried Coff in marching cadence. They walked him into the empty plane slowly, steadily, with pride. I could see tears from the distance. Then they placed him down in the bare plane.

As I looked on, my mind was racing. “There he is. In a casket. By himself,” I thought. “How did this happen? He was here one day. Gone the next. It made no sense.”

We all knew this was war—and this is what happens in war. It could happen to any of us. The brutality and sacrifice of serving had never hit so hard.

From there, I walked onto the plane, took off my headgear and kneeled in front of him. I put my hand over the flag, draped over his casket, and said my goodbyes. Grief and memories from pre-mobilization training rushed through my mind like a movie.

I got up and saluted him, knowing he would be laid to rest with the greatest men who have ever lived. That was the last time I saw him in country. 

To this day, every time I drive into D.C. and pass Arlington National Cemetery, I say hi to Coff under my breath—every time. I visit him when I can, and I know others from my battalion do the same. 

Coff left a lasting impact on my life, and I know he did the same for others. He would say, “Shake off any dust that may accumulate from stagnation of purpose.” That can’t be any truer.

Christopher Coffland was killed by a roadside improvised explosive device on November 13, 2009 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His bravery earned him two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart, leaving an indelible mark on those of us who had the honor to serve alongside him.

In his memory, his sister, Lynn Coffland, founded the Catch a Lift Fund, a charity aiding wounded post-9/11 combat veterans. Inspired by Coffland’s mantra, “I’m goin’ catch a lift,” the organization helps veterans regain physical and mental fitness through gym memberships and home equipment.

Coffland and the many other servicemen and women who have died serving in combat since the Revolutionary War died for the freedoms ingrained in our Constitution, including the freedom to give to the causes and communities you care about most.

Their honor, selflessness and dignity should never be taken for granted. If it wasn’t for them, we would not live in the freest country in the world. We should remember their legacies and appreciate the freedoms they fought to defend every single day, not just this Memorial Day.

Kara Ann Hirschfeld is the director of marketing at Philanthropy Roundtable and a former Army Reservist who deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009.

The post A Veteran’s Perspective: How to Honor America’s Fallen Heroes this Memorial Day appeared first on Philanthropy Roundtable.

Philanthropy Roundtable’s Program Manager Kathryn Hougham recently sat down with Daniel Asia, president of The Center for American Culture and Ideas (CACI), to discuss how the Center promotes the American intellectual experience through engagement with the aesthetic, historical, economic and philosophical foundations of American society.  

Through cultural research, public outreach and education outreach, the Center seeks to better individual lives by investigating the ways beauty, truth and goodness are fundamentally linked to the universal values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

Asia is currently a composition professor of music and head of composition at the University of Arizona School of Music. He received his master’s degree from the Yale School of Music. His music has been performed domestically and by foremost ensembles around the world, including the New Zealand Symphony, the Czech Pilsen Philharmonic, the Cincinnati and Seattle symphony orchestras, the Cypress String Quartet and many others. 

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Q: Tell us about The Center for American Culture and Ideas mission. 

Asia: CACI deals with high art including music, literature and visual arts, and culture in the context of American ideas. We’re interested in the arts and its relationship to philosophy, democracy and a system of free enterprise that allows this all to flourish. We also believe that all politics is downstream of culture. If you do not understand the arts, you will not understand the relationship between culture and politics. People who are elevated by the arts will come to politics with a different sensibility than those who are not. Most importantly, it gives more and greater meaning to their lives. 

A few decades ago, I realized that fewer and fewer people were engaged in the tradition of Western classical music, visual arts and the dance. Some of humanity’s most outstanding achievements have been in these endeavors. If you have not felt the transcendent power of the arts, you have missed out on what it means to be a human being. We feel a responsibility to ensure that we introduce as many Americans as possible to this transformative legacy. 

Q: Why do you continue to pursue the mission of sharing high art within the context of American ideas? 

Asia: Like the arts, CACI touches one soul at a time. Our goal is to increase the number of people who become happier and more successful human beings because of their interaction with the high arts and culture. In the course of becoming more cultured and sensitive human beings, we strengthen our democracy.  

Q: How are you reaching people with these ideas? 

Asia: One of the most essential vehicles for achieving our mission is reintroducing art and culture into our education system. Our organization produces resources to equip charter schools and homeschool parents to reinstate arts education into the core of every American child’s experience. Since economic optimism and entrepreneurship are core features of American culture, we are also seeking ways to bring our message to corporate America, whether through talks, our publications and training seminars. 

We host a lecture series, “The Cultured Mind Forum,” where we present the best people worldwide talking about matters of culture, the arts, political theory, economics and entrepreneurship. Our lectures all contribute to our understanding of what makes America exceptional. We have been fortunate to host exemplary speakers such as Harvey Mansfield, Lee Smolin, Arthur Brooks, Amy Wax, Maestro Gerard Schwartz, Magatte Wade and Dominic Green. 

We are constantly expanding our audience through our podcasts. CACI is the home of “Words & Numbers,” a podcast by Dr. James Harrigan, senior fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research. In addition to the focus on economics, The “Cultured Mind” podcast, hosted by CACI Artistic Fellow Dr. Joshua Nichols, focuses on arts, culture and ideas, where he interviews illustrious thinkers such as John Agresto, Heather Mac Donald and Peter Wood. 

Q: What are you looking forward to in 2024? 

Asia: We are and will continue to be the “safe space” for the beautiful. This year, we will be hosting a conference on the life and work of Roger Scruton, who I suspect many consider as one of the most important figures in the conservative movement in the last 50 years, not only in his home of Britain but here in America as well.  

It will be a gathering of great thinkers and artists for an engaging conversation on Roger Scruton’s lasting contributions to our understanding of the role of beauty and high art in society generally, and in America, particularly. We are also very excited to offer classroom visits to high schools by our team of experts in art, music and political philosophy; we will release our third compact disc and we will publish a new e-text in the arts aimed for the charter, classical and homeschool learning areas. 

The post The Center for American Culture and Ideas: Elevating the American Intellectual Experience through the Arts appeared first on Philanthropy Roundtable.

In the most recent episode of Philanthropy Roundtable’s interview series “Doers to Donors,” Roundtable President and CEO Christie Herrera spoke with Hilda Ochoa-Brillembourg, founder and chairman of The Orchestra of the Americas Group.  

Their wide-ranging conversation centered around Ochoa-Brillembourg’s success as an entrepreneur, her commitment to the arts and her personal story as an immigrant to the United States. During this discussion, Ochoa-Brillembourg, the chairman emeritus and founder of Strategic Investment Group, made the case for why capitalism is an engine for growth – and, on the other hand, why socialism breeds corruption.  

“[Capitalism] creates a marketplace for people to find the optimal way to trade their skills and to grow, and governments are necessary. We need rules. We need laws. We need rights that need to be defended by somebody, but governments are not what creates real wealth,” she said. “Without private enterprise, without business, without innovation, without entrepreneurs … we have a debt economy, and that is what has happened to my country. It is a band of criminals that is destroying the country and they have ruined the private sector.” 

Ochoa-Brillembourg, who grew up in Venezuela, detailed the country’s economic collapse and the “tragic” consequences caused by its socialist government.  

“I have never met a socialist who didn’t want to take other people’s money for themselves,” she said. “They have stolen [Venezuelans] blind. And it’s what’s happening in China and it’s what’s happening in Russia. Corruption in a socialist regime is extraordinarily more rampant than in a democracy.” 

She also offered a warning for those in the United States not to fall prey to the lures of socialism. If that happened, she said, “I don’t know where else I would go.” 

Learn more about “Doers to Donors” and watch the full interview featuring Hilda Ochoa-Brillembourg here or listen to the podcast on Apple, Google or Spotify. Subscribe to the Roundtable’s YouTube channel to make sure you don’t miss future episodes.   

The post Doers to Donors: Hilda Ochoa-Brillembourg on Why Capitalism Drives Economic Growth appeared first on Philanthropy Roundtable.

The following was presented as part of a session at Philanthropy Roundtable’s Annual Meeting in October 2023.  

Fires that consume more than 100,000 acres are becoming commonplace in America, with 72 million acres affected in the last decade. That’s according to Brian Yablonski, CEO of the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC), an organization that pursues innovative market solutions to the nation’s most pressing conservation problems. 

“The biggest culprit here is 100 years of misguided government policy,” Yablonski said during his Big Idea talk at the Roundtable’s Annual Meeting.  

PERC, located in Bozeman, Montana, pushes back on the idea that more government regulations are the answer to conserving America’s natural lands.   

“Conservation needs to be about speeding up not slowing down,” said Yablonski. “We need to replace slow down regulation with speed up policies that enable us to get in and restore quickly. … And that’s going to take revisiting environmental laws that have been on the books for more than 50 years.”  

Yablonski says conservation is in desperate need of innovation, entrepreneurship and technology, driven by local individuals who are open to exploring new ideas.  

One example Yablonski cites is the Crazy Mountain Virtual Fence Project, which will improve wildlife habitat on America’s cattle land by enabling the removal of miles of internal barbed-wire fence. Ranchers will be able to remotely map and manage livestock through a series of signal towers and GPS collars worn by cows.  

“Conservation needs to be done with, not to landowners,” said Yablonski. “Local individual knowledge needs to drive conservation, not bureaucrats.”  

For more information on this organization or others, please contact Program Director, Clarice Smith. 

The post Conserving Our Lands Through Local Innovation appeared first on Philanthropy Roundtable.

As Lekendric Doyle faced the end of his naval career, he wasn’t sure where to go next. But when he connected with the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, everything clicked into place. The organization, based out of Syracuse University, has several programs for veterans looking to jump in, or back in, to the workforce. For Doyle, it was the Onward to Opportunity program that stood out.  

Doyle had no college degree, but through IVMF, he had the time and opportunity not only to get his project management certification, but also to complete his ​Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and his ​bachelor’s degree. Today, Doyle works for aerospace manufacturer Blue Origin, founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos. 

IVMF, Doyle says, “gave me the opportunity to seize my own time, and without doing that I would not have been successful in my endeavors. 

“Time was the key piece, and the mentorship from the program, to really help me achieve that,” he adds.  

Problems Persist During Transition Out of Service 

For other veterans, the transition is not so easy. Only one in four have a job ready when they transition out of the service, per Pew Research Center. “Finding a job after their military service affects nearly 200,000 veterans every year,” CBS reports. “A U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation study from 2016 found that 53% of veterans are unemployed for four months or longer after leaving the military.” 

Many veterans lack the degrees or certifications necessary to find gainful employment. Some find themselves out of a job, while others flounder at a poorly paying and unfulfilling career.  

This continuing problem isn’t due to a lack of effort in the nonprofit world. But it may be made worse by some nonprofits that refuse to do more than throw money at the problem.  

The most infamous example is the Wounded Warrior Project. In 2016, the nonprofit came under fire for spending “lavishly on itself,” per a New York Times exposé. The “country’s largest and fastest-growing veterans charity,” the paper reported, “has spent millions a year on travel, dinners, hotels and conferences that often seemed more lavish than appropriate.” 

Top executives were subsequently fired, and the organization tried to rebrand. But a massive budget with little oversight is a recipe for disaster, nonprofit leaders say. Luckily, there are many veterans organizations committed to getting a real return on their investment.  

Putting Veterans on the Path to Success 

IVMF works with veterans and military spouses to help them succeed in the civilian workforce ​primarily ​through three programs:​ career training, entrepreneurship training and navigation of community services​. Onward to Opportunity, the career training program that helped Doyle, offers 40 different learning pathways, from training in information technology to business management and customer service, free of charge.  

“It’s an excellent opportunity to help veterans transition, and it provides a supportive environment where you can start to look outward from the military and gain a grasp on what there is out in the world for you as a veteran,” Doyle says.  

IVMF has built a diverse alumni network as well as an impressive slate of corporate partners, including Walmart, J.P. Morgan​ Chase, Fiserv​ and USAA.  

Maureen Casey, chief operating officer for IVMF, says despite their unique skill sets, veterans can face a disconnect with ​potential ​employers, who aren’t always sure ​how military skills translate to the private sector.​​     ​ 

“We need to ensure that there’s some cultural competency​ on both sides [employers and veterans]​,” Casey says. “Some of ​[veterans’]​​ ​challenges are going to be unique. We just have to help them overcome them​,​ and we know they will be very valued community members.” 

Importantly, she explains, IVMF measures its success not ​only ​on the number of veterans it serves, but on their outcomes.  

How Philanthropists Can Fund Effective Organizations  

As philanthropists research organizations that help veterans find meaningful careers in the civilian workforce, Aaron MacLean, senior director at the Paul E. Singer Foundation and a board member at Philanthropy Roundtable, warns them against adopting a dangerous mentality.  

“It’s easy to see ways in which a disconnect [between employers and veterans] could appear,” he explains. “But it’s important that philanthropists resist buying into a victimhood model or mentality about veterans.” 

MacLean, who was an active-duty Marine for seven years, says although veterans may need unique assistance, they are not victims.  

“You see in a lot of places in our society this notion of a veteran as this wounded bird that needs very special care and treatment to be reintegrated into society,” he says. “Generally speaking, that’s just false. I think, if anything, veterans are valuable to any employer.” 

After all, veterans certainly develop many soft skills that could be beneficial to a potential employer. But they have hard skills, such as logistics, as well. The key is the transition.  

“But I do think it would be possible to do harm, operating with an attitude where you’re encouraging people who are not victims to think of themselves as victims,” he says.  

If traps for organizations focusing on veterans in the workforce include wild spending and lack of oversight, plus the danger of embracing a victimhood mentality, who should philanthropists look to as a success story?  

Dan Goldenberg, executive director for the Call of Duty Endowment, says the nonprofit spent its first ​three​​ ​years as a “typical corporate philanthropy​ effort​.” They wrote big checks with little to show for them, he says, and large​, well-known​ nonprofit partners failed to show impact.  

​​In 2013​, the endowment moved to an accountability-based model. “W​e’re deeply skeptical about​​ ​trust-based philanthropy,” Goldenberg says.  

This doesn’t mean underperforming nonprofits are left out to dry. In fact, the opposite is true.  

Call of Duty Endowment currently supports 10 nonprofits with a turnover rate of “maybe 10% per year.” It ​assesses​​ ​the groups every quarter, ​reevaluating annually, ​looking for a strong ratio of veterans served to veterans placed​ into high-quality jobs​. ​This gives the nonprofits opportunities to improve. ​ 

​​For example, a number of grantees that were off track in their placement numbers turned out to have unsophisticated outreach capabilities, Goldenberg says.​ ​T​he quarterly evaluations helped the endowment ​identify and address this critical gap​. It was able to connect those groups to social media experts, ​fund​​ ​website improvements ​and​​ ​automate client service functions. ​The nonprofits were back on track within a year.​ 

“​Conversations like this​​ ​are super helpful for coaching these nonprofits, but also for ​channeling targeted resources to improve their performance,” ​Goldenberg​​ ​says.  

To ensure its money is going to the right place, ​the ​Call of Duty Endowment also doesn’t partner with organizations ​that haven’t passed its formal performance assessment and also presented audited financials.​​     ​ 

“If you love an organization, you need to invest in systemically evaluating their performance,” he says. 

Organizations that are held accountable continue to get better, Goldenberg says.  

“​While we started with impact results similar to U.S. government programs, today o​ur grantees​ ​place veterans into jobs for 1/13 the cost of the federal government’s efforts. Last year, every $618 placed a veteran in a job.​ This has enabled us to fund the placement of 125,000 veterans—that’s a group two-thirds the size of the U.S. Marine Corps.”​​     ​ 

An Urgent Need to “Step Up” for Veterans 

While the government pours billions of dollars into the Department of Veterans Affairs, many veterans find it is too slow to meet their needs, or they are ineligible for VA support.  

“Federal agencies do what they can, but it really needs to be a public-private partnership to fill in the gaps,” Casey says. ​The VA isn’t always able to provide certain kinds of support to families​, making IVMF’s support of military spouses key for transitioning families.  

This is not to mention the VA scandal from a decade ago when an internal audit revealed tens of thousands of veterans were waiting 90-plus days to receive health care. Despite the controversy, the VA is still being criticized for its wait times.  

The infamous failure of the government when it comes to supporting veterans leaves the door open for policy philanthropy, MacLean says. But “the lower hanging fruit, and what philanthropists who are interested in this subject should challenge themselves to do, is to be what philanthropy can be: the flourishing of civil society to take on challenges in ways that civil society can actually do best.” 

The philanthropic sector certainly isn’t lacking in veterans’ organizations. Typing the word “veteran” into Guidestar yields more than 36,000 results. With so many options, the lack of accountability in some veterans’ nonprofits has harmed others, as less successful organizations essentially siphon funds from more successful ones.  

“There are too many veteran nonprofits​ and ​precious few market forces to hold them accountable​.​​ ​​At the same time, ​the amount of money going into the space​,​ if anything​,​ is decreasing,” Goldenberg​ says​. ​“As a result, high-performing nonprofits are under-resourced, and low-performing organizations with big names are kept on life support.”​ 

Meanwhile, there is an urgent need for results.  

“The way we treat our veterans has become a national security issue,” Goldenberg says, adding that for the last two years, each military branch besides the Marines has missed its recruiting goals. “The perception is that veterans have bad outcomes after their service.” 

That perception, he emphasizes, “is not a true story.” As Casey notes, veterans are much more likely to be entrepreneurs than the general population. According to Small Business Administration data from 2022, veterans owned nearly two million businesses and employed more than five million people.  

“We should step up when they return and ensure they have every opportunity to thrive post-service,” Casey says.  

And while high-profile scandals may have turned some philanthropists off from supporting veterans’ charities, they can still make a great impact if they find the right groups to support.  

“There’s a saying in the military that amateurs focus on tactics, professionals focus on ​logistics​. Same for philanthropy,” Goldenberg says.  

When funders throw money at the problem without oversight, they risk seeing their money wasted on overhead, excessive spending or programs that sound nice in theory but don’t really work. When funders and nonprofits work together to focus on measurable outcomes, they can help people like Doyle find a new career — and truly change people’s lives. 

The post How Philanthropy is Helping Veterans Navigate the Workforce appeared first on Philanthropy Roundtable.

Philanthropy Roundtable recently sat down with Ray Nothstine, senior editor of American Habits, a new publication by State Policy Network’s (SPN) Center for Practical Federalism that makes the “intellectual and moral case for federalism and its practical applications to today’s challenges.” Through sharing the inspirational stories of everyday Americans who get involved in their local communities, American Habits hopes to encourage citizens and policymakers to solve more problems through local and state solutions. 

The interview below has been edited for length and clarity.   

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your background and SPN’s American Habits? 

Nothstine: My dad was an Air Force pilot. So, I’ve lived a lot of places, which shaped my worldview and experiences. I’m 44, so I hate to admit my age, but I do remember a time during the Cold War when my dad was sitting on alert in case our country had to respond to a potential nuclear attack. I think that played a significant role in shaping my background and likely my deeper interest in the issues of human freedom. And so why do we have this nation-state? Why do we try to preserve freedom? Why is that important? I was at least thinking about those kinds of questions in my head at a young age.  

I worked for Congressman Gene Taylor (Mississippi) after college at Ole Miss. I always enjoyed reading about political history and some of my first memories [were of the] 1984 presidential campaign. I then started reading scripture more and went to seminary at Asbury Theological Seminary. The late Ellsworth Kalas, an amazing preaching professor, encouraged me to write, so I did. After some time with The Institute on Religion and Democracy in Washington, D.C., Acton Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Civitas Institute and the John Locke Foundation, I got involved in SPN and American Habits. 

American Habits is a project focusing on federalism. We have a center for practical federalism, and SPN is trying to make the case for a culture of self-government and push back against federal overreach. You can equip state lawmakers to do that, but also give people a sense of mission and purpose and not just at the national level, but at the state and local levels. 

Q: Can you share with us any highlights from the stories you’ve encountered so far? 

Nothstine: I just interviewed Bill Courtney, founder of Classic American Hardwoods, a manufacturer in Tennessee. Courtney is known more as a football coach though and is depicted in the amazing documentary “Undefeated.” He’s done a lot of great work highlighting people who are getting involved in their local communities. He told the story of a woman named Anne Mahlum, who liked to run to deal with stress. When she was working in Philadelphia, she ran by this homeless center every day. They’d say, “Why do you run off all the time?” And she’d say, “Why do you just sit there all the time?” And she went back to this homeless center a day or two later and said, “I want to start a running club.” So, Bill tells these great stories about people who get involved in their community and that running club is active in 15 or 16 major American cities right now. I think it’s just giving people a sense of purpose, right? A sense of drive, that you can get involved in your local community and make a difference in people’s lives. I think there’s a component to that, which is just so essential today, just getting off your butt and getting involved. That’s a big deal. 

Q: What role has philanthropy played, in your opinion, in state and local solutions during your career and now during your time at American Habits? 

Nothstine: From a mission standpoint, philanthropy has played an important role. I think there are opportunities all over the country to get involved to make a difference, not just in policy or D.C., but maybe in cultural aspects where you’re changing local communities and where you can network with individuals who are like-minded. In a way, that facilitates conversations and real action for change. Of course, none of this is possible without the generous donors who care deeply about their communities and country.  

Q: American Habits seeks to reignite the “capacity for self-government.” How can we restore an understanding and appreciation for self-government and decentralization in our country? 

Nothstine: It’s a hard question, right? The death of local news has played a role in this in terms of the conversation and the 24-hour news cycle and all these sorts of ideological battles that we hear about are focused on Washington D.C., but it doesn’t have to be that way. 

And I think one of the ways that we change that is through civic education. So there’s probably a two-pronged effort, certainly some renewal through storytelling at the local and state level, which is something that we’re going to do at American Habits. Also, from a civic education standpoint, it’s discouraging when you see recent survey results, even at Ivy League schools, where young college students don’t know anything about American history or American government.  

American Habits wants to play a role in changing that. We’re educating people about the history of America but also asking what is the function and purpose of our government? That’s one of the key questions we need to ask ourselves as Americans today. If we aren’t asking that fundamental question, ideological noise is going to win out.  

Q: Philanthropy Roundtable partners with philanthropists who believe the best way to safeguard the future of our democracy is to promote and defend American ideals. Do you have any advice for those who are looking to advance federalism through philanthropy?  

Nothstine: One of the things to do from the get-go is to read. I mean, you can read the Federalist Papers. You can read about American history. A lot of us idolize the past sometimes in our movement, but there’s some bad things about the past, right? I think having a comprehensive understanding of American history and American tradition is essential.  

For example, why did people sacrifice during the American Revolution? What were their motivations? Why did colonists take up arms against the Crown? And how did they understand rights? Those are things we don’t think about enough today. An important component of this is how we understand rights, what does that mean and where do rights come from? All these questions are important for entrepreneurs and philanthropists, to discover and rediscover and to get in that conversation. All these ideas are accessible to Americans and are meant to be accessible.  

It’s important to be educated on the threats that ideologues want to impose on America. I think just having a willingness to sacrifice is a key component, whether it’s your time, finances or energy. That sacrifice is for these greater ideals and purposes, so that we can offer what we’ve inherited for future generations. The spending that we see in Washington is very depressing, and this inability to put others above yourself, primarily speaking about Washington politicians, is a depressing statement about America right now. 

Q: Who are some of your mentors and favorite authors who have helped to shape your worldview? 

Nothstine: Michael Novak, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who has now passed away, was a man of faith and deeply ingrained in theology. A lot of his writings were from the viewpoint of the human person and argued there’s a higher power than the state. That’s an important component for people whatever their faith, that they understand the state is not the highest element of society and is not the highest authority in our lives.  

Congressman Gene Taylor taught me a very important lesson by the way he treated the Capitol Police, Capital employees, interns and constituents. There was one time he was late for a meeting with the Secretary of the Navy and my job was to go find him in the Rayburn Building in Washington, D.C. I was running around like a chicken with his head cut off looking for him. I eventually found him in the stairwell talking to, I think, a maintenance worker. When we were walking back up to his office, he says, “When I lose an election, these are the people who are still going to be friends with me.” This teaches the importance of humility, which is an essential component for life.  

Q:  What type of information do you hope to impart to readers with American Habits? 

Nothstine: One of the goals is to be interesting, because the publication space is crowded. People can go to limitless places to read content. Storytelling is an important aspect of that. We haven’t perfected that yet, but we are on our way to doing that.  

We also want to be a change agent. We want to equip state and local lawmakers with information to let them know there are avenues where you can push back against federal overreach. You have the Constitution on your side, you have a constituency out there, you have partners in other states, you have the SPN network that helps reach out and say, look, the Constitution matters, and this network of like-minded folks are a resource to you. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and there is training available, content available and there’s a way to equip people with the tools to push back against an anti-American element of centralization that we all must be conscious of today. 

If you are interested in learning more about organizations that work to protect America’s founding principles, please contact Philanthropy Roundtable Program Director Clarice Smith.  

The post American Habits and the Case for Practical Federalism appeared first on Philanthropy Roundtable.

For some, it was the homecoming they never received, and for one veteran it was a chance to say goodbye. 

Walter Kotzur (USAF retired) spent the majority of his time during the war in Vietnam flying combat missions on the AC-47D, a fixed wing gunship affectionately known as “Spooky” or “Puff the Magic Dragon.” Thanks to the North Country Honor Flight, Kotzur has the opportunity to say a final farewell to his fallen brothers of the “Spooky Brotherhood” as he continues to find their names engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in our nation’s capital. After being drafted, Kotzur lost 28 comrades in his first year in Vietnam alone and 59 since. 

The North Country Honor Flight, which serves veterans in upstate New York, Vermont and New Hampshire, is part of the larger national Honor Flight network that celebrates our nation’s veterans by offering them a one-day trip to the nation’s capital and memorials. Each hub organizes travel, accommodations and any individual needs for each veteran and their sponsor, typically a family member, for the entirety of the trip. 

For many veterans, the day begins with a police escort from their home or nearby hotel. While the Honor Flight prioritizes World War II veterans and those with serious medical conditions, veterans from every era receive special accommodations to make sure it’s a day to remember. Communities organize “goodbye” sendoffs when the veterans board the airplanes, as well as homecomings complete with “welcome home” signs and banners from volunteers of all ages. 

For some veterans, this is the only homecoming they have ever received. 

“Coming home [from Vietnam] was the absolute worst,” said one veteran who traveled to Washington, D.C. last month. “I feel like I did everything for nothing. My service didn’t matter.” 

To make sure everyone receives a proper homecoming, Barrie Finnigan, organizer of the North Country Honor Flight, spreads the word through the local newspaper and television news station, community newsletters and Facebook. “Younger people will tell grandpa about the Honor Flight. That happens a lot,” Finnigan said. 

The veterans who participate in the Honor Flight find themselves a part of a new family as they remember fallen friends and share stories on the flight and bus ride. The North Country Honor Flight flew 30 veterans with their sponsors to D.C. this fall and has planned events like barbeques and outings to keep in touch.  

“Like it or not, you are a part of our Honor Flight family now,” said Finnigan. “We are one big happy family.” 

For the crowds of tourists who flock to the National Mall, the arrival of the Honor Flight brings history to life. As the veterans exit the buses in their matching “Honor Flight Veteran” jackets and make their way through the memorials, often in wheelchairs, visitors to the capital from around the world look on as the granite monuments are juxtaposed with the flesh-and-blood men and women they honor. These veterans’ stories could fill libraries, but they often go untold, sometimes because the veteran doesn’t think anyone is interested in hearing them or because the memories are still too painful. 

The Honor Flight changes that. As veterans walk the memorials and find the names of fallen brothers-in-arms, they remember the struggles they endured and the friends they lost. But they also remember the sense of pride they felt, and still feel, in donning uniforms to answer their nation’s call. Finnigan and other volunteers say one of the flight’s biggest blessings is the impact it has on veterans long after they return home. Finnigan says he receives calls from at least 20 families after each flight, thanking him for the life-changing work they do.   

“Since that Honor Flight, we’ve got a brand-new person. Grandpa’s back where he was 10 years ago, he had cashed it in sitting in his recliner all day long,” Finnigan said. “Now he wants to go do things and tell us all about the war. If you can change someone’s life like that, how can you not get involved?” 

The busy one-day itinerary includes stops to Arlington National Cemetery and our nation’s war memorials, beginning with the WW II Memorial and ending with the Korean and Vietnam Memorials. The Honor Flight network has Washington, D.C.-based volunteers who greet the veterans with welcome signs and fanfare at their various stops. Some are veterans, but most are civilians seeking to honor their loved ones who served. 

That’s why Finnigan does what he does. During WWII, his father served in the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific and his mother served in the Canadian Army.  His son also served in the military after 9/11. Although the Honor Flight didn’t come to northern New York until after his parents passed away, Finnigan honors their legacy and his son’s service through his volunteer work.  

“It’s a labor of love. I just love doing it,” he said. “You just meet so many people and their stories. It’s unreal.” That is, after all, the Honor Flight’s mission: ensuring that no veteran goes unappreciated.  

As Walter Kotzur takes one more look at the names of his fallen brothers from the “Spooky Brotherhood,” he ponders the significance of this experience.  

“This is a solemn place,” he says. He’s right, of course, and it couldn’t be otherwise for him.  

But it should be a solemn place for all Americans, a permanent reminder that any society that wishes to remain free has a corresponding duty to defend that freedom. Men and women like Kotzur, veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, are steadily dwindling as the years pass by. But these war memorials are permanent reminders of what they’ve done and the legacies they leave behind. 

It’s up to us, on this Veterans Day and every day, not only to remember those legacies, but to make the most of them. 

If you are interested in learning more about Philanthropy Roundtable’s work with organizations serving veterans, please contact our Programs team.    

The post A Flight to Remember: How the Honor Flight is Bringing Hope and Healing to Veterans  appeared first on Philanthropy Roundtable.

Ahead of Veterans Day this year, Philanthropy Roundtable sat down with Jordyn Jureczki, CEO of Frontline Healing Foundation (FHF), an organization answering the call to treat veterans and first responders who struggle with substance abuse and suicidal thoughts as a result of service-induced trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a primary funder for those seeking help through the Warriors Heart Treatment Center and similar treatment centers, FHF helps “Warriors,” who may not have insurance, access world-class medical care and participate in hands-on rehabilitation strategies. Instead of a one-size-fits-all rehabilitation approach, FHF provides Warriors with a loving and supportive atmosphere, the tools to become self-sufficient and meaningful lasting relationships with those who have also been in the fight. 

The interview below has been edited for length and clarity.  

Q: What is the mission, history and focus of Frontline Healing Foundation? 

Jureczki: FHF, formerly the Warriors Heart Foundation, was founded in 2015 out of necessity to subsidize the funding of treatment for chemical dependency in the Warrior class (those who are active-duty military, veterans or first responders). The foundation works closely with the founders of the Warriors Heart treatment center in Bandera, Texas, who created something truly unique. Tom Spooner, who is a retired U.S. Army Delta Force operator and has been in the recovery community for over 30 years, combined forces with Josh and Lisa Lannon, a power couple who had built and operated drug and alcohol treatment centers across the country. Josh has also been in recovery for over 20 years and Lisa is a former law enforcement officer (LEO). Together, they built a program offering treatment that works in confronting a mental health crisis among veterans and service members.   

When we look at the staggering statistics, primarily the suicide rate statistics among the veteran population, what is a variable that we can single-handedly attack? Substance abuse. When service members commit that final act, they are often under the influence. The founders of Warriors Heart determined that if we could treat the chemical dependency, we also could get to the underlying PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI) that may be at the root of the substance use.  

The primary obstacle to providing world class treatment is funding. And thus, the foundation was born. In 2023 we changed our name to the Frontline Healing Foundation to reduce confusion regarding the separation between Warriors Heart, which is a private entity and treatment facility, and the foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.  

The foundation funds individuals who do not have the means to fund their treatment. Some of the treatments we fund are inpatient treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, sober living, K9’s and MeRT brain treatment.  

Q. How did you get involved with Frontline Healing Foundation and why does this mission mean so much to you? 

Jureczki: I am a U.S. Navy veteran and a Texas LEO. In 2019, I was involved in a relationship with a man who was also a veteran and LEO. He suffered heavily from PTSD and we both drank heavily, as that was typical behavior in our community. He was extremely abusive, and one night I realized that if I didn’t leave, he was going to kill me. I ran out of the house in my pajamas, barefoot and my department was notified. The local mental health authority refused to see him, because he was under the influence of alcohol. Charges were filed, but ultimately dropped. I landed in a run-down apartment where I wallowed in my guilt and shame on a nightly basis and resorted to alcohol to cope with feelings of failure.  

 In 2020, I began training in jiu-jitsu and attended a local competition in San Antonio. This is where I met Josh Lannon, who introduced me to Warriors Heart. Although my involvement was initially few and far between, the Lannons began to immerse me in the Warriors Heart community and the personal development it offers. In 2021, I reached my breaking point and made the decision to take my life back and get sober. I haven’t had a drink since, and I owe the absolutely linear improvement of my life to Warriors Heart, without which, I would likely not be alive today. I was given the opportunity to become the CEO of the foundation at the beginning of this year, and I will continue to dedicate my life to giving the opportunity to heal that I was given to my fellow Warriors.   

Q. Frontline Healing Foundation is a primary funder for warriors seeking rehabilitation at Warriors Heart addiction and PTSD treatment center. Can you tell us a little bit about that treatment facility or the others you work with? 

Jureczki: Warriors Heart is truly one of a kind. The original facility is located in Bandera, Texas, on a 500-acre ranch which was formerly a corporate retreat for ConocoPhillips. When you enter the front gates at Warriors Heart, you are immediately overcome with a feeling of release and you know you are in a place of great healing. For those who have been to other drug and alcohol treatment centers, you will immediately note that this feels nothing like the cold, damp halls of a state-funded facility. The first stop is intake, where, instead of having your shoelaces quickly taken from you, you are told a phrase that will be repeated throughout your stay: “Welcome Home.”  

The staff members at Warriors Heart all have some connection to the community, whether that be the Warrior community, the recovery community or both, – and it shows. The entire dual diagnosis-based program was written by the founders and former clinical director, Annette Hill, to operate as a training program, not a hospital. For Warriors, going to a 42-day inpatient training seems a lot more familiar than going to conventional rehab.  

During their stay, Warriors have the opportunity to attend group counseling, one-on-one counseling, art class, wood and metal shop, bass fishing, hiking, fitness and jiu-jitsu classes. Upon completion of treatment, Warriors have the choice to attend an Intensive Outpatient Program, stay in a sober living community and receive MeRT Brain Treatment, or return home. If a Warrior chooses to return home, they can always return for a “recharge” or attend Warriors Anonymous meetings via Zoom. Warriors Heart recently opened its second facility in Milford, Virginia, where they plan to continue to pursue their mission of bringing one million Warriors home.  

Q. Can you share any stories of warriors who have received funding for treatment through Frontline Healing Foundation, and how this treatment has changed their lives?  

Jureczki: Due to the anonymous nature of recovery, it is not often we get to share the stories of the Warriors who cross our paths. However, there are some who choose to share their stories so they may inspire the next Warrior to seek the help they need. Robert and Kyle, who attended Warriors Heart in 2020, do this through a podcast they both host titled “The High Speed Chicken Feed Podcast.” Robert, a retired Louisiana law enforcement officer who was fully funded by the foundation for treatment, emphasizes how he was initially unable to find funding for treatment due to the scarce resources provided to members of law enforcement. Robert also shares his full story of recovery on the podcast, in his own words.  

Kyle, a U.S. Army veteran, and Robert were able to fill in the gaps for each other during treatment, validating the emphasis that Warriors Heart puts on peer-to-peer support. Robert now works as an admissions advocate at Warriors Heart and Kyle continues to serve the Warrior community by living and breathing the lessons we are taught in recovery. 

Q. What more do you think people need to know about supporting veterans through philanthropy? Any thoughts on why foundations like yours are so critical for this community? 

Jureczki: I think it is very important to offer solutions to the problems in our community. When a veteran reaches out for help, whether that be through the VA, the suicide hotline or through friends and family, what’s the next step? Many treatment centers for PTSD and TBI will not accept individuals who are under the influence. The fact of the matter is, addicts are not typically invested in. 

I cannot promise you that 100% of our Warriors will come out with no more problems. That’s just naive. Treatment is expensive and sobriety is a journey, it’s something you have to work for. What I can promise is that each Warrior we fund will be sent to a vetted facility that offers them the best environment for healing. They will be insulated by love, surrounded by their fellow Warriors and cared for by people who are committed to serving those who served us. 

Last year, FHF funded 112 individuals through treatment in 2022 with an average cost of $9,555 per person. You can read more about who we serve and how we serve them in our impact reports. 

Q. What is your vision for the future of Frontline Healing Foundation?  

Jureczki: Our vision for FHF is to have the ability to fund every Warrior for all treatment they apply for. Currently, FHF funds approximately one million dollars a year in hardships, and we would like to see this number double within the next year.  

We want to show all Warriors, from Army Rangers to Sheriff’s deputies, from Marines to local EMTs, that you are worthy of healing, and don’t worry about the bill. We’ll pick up the tab. You deserve it.  

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal feelings, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 for veterans and service members in crisis, and their friends and families. Dial 988 then Press 1 to chat live or text 83825.Warriors Heart also has a 24 hour hotline: (888) 598-4875. And if you are interested in learning more about Philanthropy Roundtable’s work with organizations serving veterans, please contact Philanthropy Roundtable Program Director Clarice Smith.  

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