Warriors & Quiet Waters Receives Grant for Built for More Program
Warriors & Quiet Waters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones to thrive and live purpose-driven lives, has recently received a grant from the PenFed Foundation. This grant supports the Built for More program, a comprehensive 9-month initiative that combines peak experiences in nature, meaningful relationships, and a sense of community to guide veterans towards their own definition of thriving.
The Built for More program is rooted in in-depth research and evidence-based expertise in holistic wellness, focusing on mental, physical, spiritual, and social wellbeing. It is designed to help veterans systematically dismantle the barriers holding them back and develop new strengths to move forward. The program begins and ends with an expedition in nature in Bozeman, Montana, and includes a Discovery Phase where participants engage remotely through videos, facilitated group discussions, reflection, and leadership development.
The PenFed Foundation, a national 501(c)3 founded by PenFed Credit Union, awarded this grant to Warriors & Quiet Waters to support the Built for More program, which will serve 24 cohorts of seven veterans each in 2025. This program is completely free to participants and is designed to help veterans build a thriving life of their own design from the ground up.
Andrea McCarren, President of the PenFed Foundation, expressed her pride in supporting Warriors & Quiet Waters, stating that the organization provides post-9/11 combat veterans with the knowledge and confidence they need to rebuild a thriving life of purpose. Brian Gilman, CEO of Warriors & Quiet Waters and a retired U.S. Marine Colonel, expressed his gratitude for the PenFed Foundation’s generosity, emphasizing that when veterans lead purpose-driven, thriving lives, they positively impact everything and everyone around them.
Warriors & Quiet Waters has a proven track record of delivering impactful programs for veterans. In 2022, the organization delivered 30 weeks of veteran and military family programming, a 157% increase since 2019, and provided 256 participant experiences, a 185% increase over the same period. The organization has also launched new program models, such as Hunt for Purpose and the Backcountry Fishing Experience, which have shown significant impact on the lives of veterans and their families.
The Built for More program is a key part of Warriors & Quiet Waters’ strategic plan to expand its impact on post-9/11 combat veterans and their families. The organization aims to nearly double its capacity by 2028 and expand the reach of its Couples and Caregivers programs to foster thriving environments for veteran families. This ambitious plan is made possible by the support of dedicated volunteers, donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation partners who believe in the mission of Warriors & Quiet Waters.
The grant from the PenFed Foundation is a significant step towards achieving these goals, providing critical funding for the Built for More program. This support underscores the importance of empowering veterans to find peace, meaning, and purpose after their military service, a mission that Warriors & Quiet Waters is committed to fulfilling.
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