The Green Beret Foundation
What Are Green Berets?
The U.S. Army Special Forces are referred to as the Green Berets, simply because of the green beret covers they wear. This highly skilled and trained Special Operations Force is called upon to execute the most complex missions while sustaining the highest casualty rate out of all special operations forces – 60%.
Honoring Our Nation's Most Elite
Fourteen years ago, Special Forces Staff Sergeant Aaron Anderson was wounded by an IED blast in Afghanistan, requiring seven months of surgery and recovery. Over the next few years, having medically retired, Anderson saw firsthand the significant gaps in immediate and continued support for our Nation’s most Elite Soldiers. In 2009, he founded the Green Beret Foundation (GBF) with the mission to honor those heroes and their families with resources and opportunities that will help them prosper and thrive.
Mission and Impact
The Green Beret Foundation, commonly referred to as the GBF, focuses on supporting wounded Special Forces Soldiers, their dependents, and fallen Elite Soldiers' families. The GBF has provided emergent, immediate, and ongoing support to over 12,700 Special Forces Soldiers and their families with direct financial aid and other resources since 2009. They have invested more than $15 million and continue to invest 87% of all donations into its programs and services. The GBF is also currently striving to broaden its impact by addressing the needs of Green Berets as they make the difficult transition back into civilian life.
Casualty Support
GBF provides assistance to Green Berets upon sustaining a wound or injury. By providing this support, we help soldiers and their families focus on what’s most important: being together and healing. A check for $2500 is issued upon notification and a GORUCK GR1 backpack with essential gear is sent to the injured Green Beret to make his hospital stay more comfortable.
Extended Support
The GBF aims to provide total health and wellness by filling any gaps in recovery through extended support services. These services can include access to or financial assistance for substance abuse treatment, infrared light therapy, laser regeneration therapy, HBOT for TBI and PTSD, neurofeedback, aphasia therapy, and other inpatient and outpatient costs not covered by the VA or Tricare.
Transition Support
The GBF utilizes the Next Ridgeline Program to help Veterans navigate the transition from the military into successful new careers. GBF’s pre-transition briefings provide education on accessing essential VA benefits for physical and mental wellness. The program also connects Green Berets with resources to develop individual strengths to secure, maintain, and thrive in their chosen positions.
Family Support
The Family Support program provides direct assistance for Special Forces families as they navigate the challenges of training, deployments, and life after the military. The spouses and children of Green Berets bear a heavy load and often require additional support that is just not available by other means.
Gold Star and Surviving Families Support
Our greatest privilege and most sacred duty at the Green Beret Foundation is to serve the families and loved ones of our Gold Star and Surviving Family members. The final sacrifice of their Green Berets causes us to pause, reflect and give thanks for the freedoms we hold so dear. No matter if the Green Beret was killed in combat or in support of certain military activities, service-related injury, suicide or disease, our mission is to help the family navigate their difficult journey, give them the tools they need and empower them to take control of their future.
Help Honor Wounded, Transitioning, and Fallen Green Berets
Donations are accepted online and by mail, but there are several other ways to support the Green Beret Foundation. You can learn more at greenberetfoundation.org/donate. Legacy and investment giving allow you to expand your donation beyond your immediate ability. You can host an event in honor of the Green Berets or shop with one of our partners where a portion of proceeds goes to the GBF. Current GBF partners include Amazon Smile, eBay Giving Works, Combined Federal Campaign, PayPal, Donation Line (vehicle donation), Network for Good, and now, Out of Regz!
