About the Grantees
2023 GRANTING CYCLE AND APPLICATION:
The granting cycle for 2024 grants, available to all San Diego-based non-profits serving Veterans, active duty, and first responders, closed on September 10, 2023. The granting cycle for 2025 Pillars of Freedom grants will open in Summer 2024.
NOW CLOSED: 2024 Pillars of Freedom Grant Application
August 1-31, 2023
GRANTEES
- Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton – Youth & Family Enrichment
- Big Brothers Big Sisters – Operation Bigs Mentoring Program in San Diego
- Blue Angels Foundation – Wounded Warrior Continuum of Care
- Fallen Officers Fund – General Operating Fund
- Feeding San Diego – Feeding Heroes San Diego Program
- Fisher House Southern California – Military Family Housing
- Foundation for Women Warriors – General Operating Support – San Diego
- Gary Sinise Foundation – General Operating Support – San Diego Area/Chapter
- Habitat for Humanity – San Diego Habitat for Humanity Veteran Repair
- Interfaith Community Services – Veteran Housing Stability Case Manager
- Naval Helicopter Association – 2023 NHA Scholarship Fund
- San Diego Harbor Police Foundation – Officer Wellness Programs
- San Diego Military Outreach Ministries – Making a Bigger Impact on Military/Veteran Families
- Support the Enlisted Project – Emergency Assistance / Social Workers
- United Through Reading – San Diego-based Story Stations
- USO San Diego – Comprehensive Support for Military Members & Families
- Wreaths Across America – National Wreaths Across America Day
2022 Pillars of Freedom Grant Recipients
- Armed Services YMCA San Diego – Assistance for Junior-enlisted Service Members
- Blue Angels Foundation – Wounded Warrior Continuum of Care
- Fallen Officers Fund – Emergency Financial Assistance
- Interfaith Community Services – Veteran Housing Stability Case Manager and Supportive Services
- MCRD Museum Foundation – AV Equipment and Virtual Education Programing
- Naval Helicopter Association Scholarship Fund – Scholarships for Graduate and Undergraduate Education
- San Diego Harbor Police Foundation – Human Trafficking Prevention Program and Youth Development at Perkins K-8 School
- San Diego Military Outreach Ministries – Essential items for ongoing emergencies
- Support the Enlisted Project – Financial Education and Counseling for Military Families
- Tailhook Educational Foundation – Undergraduate Education Scholarships
- United Through Reading – Story Station Van Repair
- USO Council of San Diego – Food Pantry and Essential Services for Military Families
TESTIMONIALS
I am extremely grateful for the Midway Foundation’s decision to provide the funds to purchase much needed equipment for our Neighborhood Policing Division, This grant will provide officers with an additional nine WRAP restraint devices, which help keep our officers safe when dealing with combative individuals. This grant also allows for the purchase of a camera that will assist officers in collecting evidence associated with quality of life crimes.
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.
Thank you again for the very generous grant the USS Midway Foundation made to zero8hundred! 'It would have been a lot harder for people like me to transition if it wasn’t for this program, very helpful
United Through Reading saved the night yesterday. Baby girl was crying and screaming for her Daddy, and it broke my heart. So I let her stay up and watch videos of Daddy reading. My children are too young to read emails, so United Through Reading provides them the satisfaction of seeing their Dad - and even believing that he is speaking to them in real time! Thank you for saving our night!
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.
