Midway Foundation Grants Awarded

The Midway Foundation (partnering with the USS Midway Museum) did today what other non-funding public charitable organization don’t do: award grants to other mission-aligned non-profit organizations. The Midway Foundation awarded more than $450,000 to 25 non-profit organizations that serve active-duty military personnel and their families; veterans; and those who protect our freedoms at home! The Foundation hopes to reach $1 million in annual grants in the near future. This year's grant recipients feature 19 local San Diego organizations and 6 national organizations. The grants range in size from $5,000 to $35,000 and support a wide array of projects and programs ranging from making emergency financial assistance available to military families in crisis to advanced manufacturing training for service members transitioning to civilian life to purchasing special body armor for police officers. This marks the second year that the Foundation has made grants. Last year the Midway Foundation awarded $250,000 in grants to veteran, military family, and law enforcement-serving organizations. The grants directly support of the USS Midway Museum’s vision of becoming America’s living symbol of freedom.

“Freedom isn’t free, and the Midway Foundation is here to help ensure that those who protect our liberties receive the support they need,” said Malin Burnham, Midway Foundation Board Chairman.

Grants totaling $191,000 will support active-duty family service organizations for youth development, licensed clinical counseling, liaison services to community resources, college scholarships, civilian transition programs, family financial crisis support, emergency food assistance, and for a program that enables active-duty personnel stationed overseas to read books to family members back home. Several veteran-serving organizations will receive a total of $225,000 for job training, critical home repairs, wreath placement at national cemeteries, and to support health/safety net services and housing for homeless veterans.

“Our veteran home repair program helps veterans thrive by creating healthier, safer homes through critical repairs and improvements,” said Lori Holt Pfeiler, President/CEO of San Diego Habitat for Humanity. “Veterans often face the challenge of a high cost of living on a limited budget, and home maintenance falls to the bottom of the priority list. The Pillars of Freedom Grant will help us with much-needed home repairs that will improve health, safety, and accessibility for those who have served our country so honorably.”

An additional $40,000 will be awarded to provide body armor designed to protect peace officers from high-powered weapon fire and to provide ballistic vests for police working dogs. Recipient agencies representing local, regional, and national efforts include: ASYMCA – Camp Pendleton - Youth development & enrichment ASYMCA – San Diego - Clinical counseling Interfaith Community Services - Housing & safety net services Reboot - Homeless vet training San Diego Police Foundation - Anti-rifle fire armor Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) - Emergency financial assistance United Through Reading - Books & program costs USO San Diego - Teen counseling & support Zero8Hundred - Military-to-civilian transition Veterans Village San Diego - Case management & housing Navy Helicopter Association - National scholarship fund Tailhook Education Foundation - National scholarship fund SEAL Family Foundation - Emergency funds for children Warrior Foundation – Freedom Station - Injured warrior travel & basic needs Workshops for Warriors - Advanced training for veterans San Diego Food Bank - Emergency food assistance San Diego Military Outreach Ministries - Staffing for emergency food assistance The Rosie Network - Train transitioning veterans San Diego Veterans Day Parade - Parade costs MCRD Museum Foundation - Military/veteran support & networking San Diego Big Brothers/Big Sisters - 1:1 military mentoring Horse of the Sun Ranch - Therapy for military & veterans Spike K-9 Fund - Ballistic vests for working dogs Habitat for Humanity - Critical home repairs for veterans Wreaths Across America - Local wreath-laying ceremonies

“With STEP’s primary focus being emergency financial assistance, this grant further strengthens our ability to assist young military families break out of a financial crisis as they develop budgeting and self-sufficiency skills,” said Tony Teravainen, STEP’s President and co-founder. “This is a highly impactful way that the Midway Museum, as a successful non-profit and fifth most-popular museum of any kind in the U.S., can support organizations that are aligned with our mission and that support those who serve as pillars of freedom in this country,” added Daniel Beintema, Midway Foundation President.

Thank you! The Midway Foundation (partnering with the USS Midway Museum) did today what other non-funding public charitable organization don’t do: award grants to other mission-aligned non-profit organizations. The Midway Foundation awarded more than $450,000 to 25 non-profit organizations that serve active-duty military personnel and their families; veterans; and those who protect our freedoms at home! The Foundation hopes to reach $1 million in annual grants in the near future.