The Navy SEAL Foundation Announces $10 Million Leadership Gift from Philanthropist Ken Griffin which will support critical programming and high-quality care for the men and women who serve this country and their families.
The Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF), America’s premier non-profit organization serving SEALs and the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community, today announced the largest grant in the organization’s distinguished 20-year history.
Philanthropist and Citadel Founder and CEO Ken Griffin’s $10 million gift will expand critical programming and high-quality care for SEALs and their families, including support for NSF children’s resiliency programs and expansion of the Foundation’s scholarship program providing tuition assistance to warriors seeking higher education. This gift builds on Mr. Griffin’s longstanding commitment to the men and women who serve this country and his history of generously supporting organizations that drive community improvement and increase access to leading educational, cultural, and medical institutions.
“For nearly 60 years, the Navy SEALs and their families have made valiant sacrifices to protect our nation and defend our values,” said Mr. Griffin. “I am proud to continue to support the Navy SEAL Foundation in its mission to care for these heroic men and women and their dedicated loved ones who put their country before all else.”
Robin King, CEO of the Foundation shared, “Mr. Griffin is an extraordinary individual and an indispensable part of our team. This grant allows our organization to keep pace with growing needs and expand educational and support programs for Naval Special Warfare personnel and their families. On behalf of all of those we support, I thank Mr. Griffin for his leadership and incredible impact through the Navy SEAL Foundation.”
The NSF is one of the highest-rated charities in America, and the wraparound support it provides SEALs and their families is integral to keeping these warriors strong and focused. Mr. Griffin’s leadership gift has already inspired several other executives and leaders of industry to make their own multi-year pledges of support to the Navy SEAL Foundation. Many of these commitments are in conjunction with the 9th annual Navy SEAL Foundation Midwest Evening of Tribute, which will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2020, and will feature Gen. James N. Mattis, USMC, (Ret.) who will present the 2020 Patriot Award to Miles D. White, Executive Chairman of Abbott. Mr. Griffin received the prestigious Patriot Award in 2017.
Since its founding, the Navy SEAL Foundation has invested over $225 million in these programmatic offerings and that support has been funded entirely by philanthropic contributions of all sizes. In that time, NSF has experienced dramatic growth in the demand for additional services in areas such as mental health support, long-term care for the families of the fallen, and children’s programs to aid the youngest members of the NSW community.
“There is never a time when SEALs are not training or deployed and these warriors and families continue to sacrifice for all of us year after year in order to keep our nation safe,” said Bill Strong, another longtime supporter. “As long as they are called upon to do this work, the Navy SEAL Foundation will stand with them. Each and every dollar donated is important and impactful and donors can be proud of how they are keeping these warriors and families strong and healthy. Ken’s very generous gift allows the NSF to make longer-term commitments and accelerate its mission of supporting the NSW community.”
To support the Foundation’s work or learn more about its programs, please visit https://www.navySEALfoundation.org
About the Navy SEAL Foundation:
The mission of the Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF) is to provide immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community and its families, and this year they are commemorating 20 years and over $225 million invested in programs serving this dynamic community.
U.S. Navy SEALs have been in sustained combat for nearly two decades, performing hazardous work in unforgiving environments at an unrelenting pace. NSW operators are currently deployed in over 30+ countries across the globe and can spend up to 270 days each year in harm’s way.
The Navy SEAL Foundation stands behind these warriors and their families by providing a comprehensive set of programs specifically designed to improve health and welfare, build and enhance resiliency, empower and educate families and provide critical support during times of illness, injury or loss.
Like the community it serves, the Navy SEAL Foundation is a high performing organization committed to excellence. NSF has been awarded the coveted 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator since 2011 and has earned a perfect score of ‘100’ each year since 2016 for financial health, accountability, and transparency, placing NSF in the top 1% of rated charities. Ninety-five cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs or is retained for future mission use.
The Navy SEAL Foundation is a 501c3 national non-profit charitable organization. TAX-ID 31-1728910. NSF is a non-federal entity, nor is it a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components, and it has no governmental status. To learn more, visit https://www.navySEALfoundation.org.