SNF Announces Three Grants Totaling $500,000 to Support U.S. Veterans Initiatives, Including Pat Tillman Foundation

Press Releases | 12/18/2015

The Board of Directors of the SNF announced today three new grants, totaling $500,000, to support initiatives that assist U.S. veterans.

The grants will be awarded to the Pat Tillman Foundation, the Warrior-Scholar Project, and Outward Bound, and aim to fund a number of different programs that serve U.S. veterans and assist them in their educational pursuits, as well as in their efforts to readjust to civilian life.

The three grants focus on aiding veterans in key areas of the Foundation’s grant-making, namely education and health, and are aligned with the Foundation’s overall philosophy to support initiatives that can offer immediate assistance to citizens most in need, and have the potential to bring about tangible changes and contribute to the long-term development of communities and their members.

Sarah Needham, a Stavros Niarchos Foundation Program Officer, stated: “America’s veterans provide an essential service to the nation and deserve support to help them fully realize their career goals. These grants assist them in their education, as well as the transition to civilian life, and help them excel in their next pursuits.”

More details on each organization and grant follow:

Pat Tillman Foundation – The Pat Tillman Foundation gives scholarship support for active-duty service members, veterans and military spouses, helping to cover the cost of direct study-related expenses, including tuition and fees, books and living expenses for full-time U.S. scholars. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation grant, totaling $200,000 over two years, will go entirely toward Tillman Scholars academic support.

The Warrior-Scholar Project – Founded in 2011 by Yale University graduates, the Warrior-Scholar Project empowers enlisted military veterans by helping them develop and rediscover the skills and confidence necessary to achieve success in the classroom, and leadership on campuses nationwide. The grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, totaling $100,000 over two years, will support the creation of a new STEM intensive course in 2016, as well as the program’s expansion to nine new campuses by 2017.

Outward Bound – Since 1983, Outward Bound has helped thousands of returning service members and military veterans readjust to life at home through the healing power of the wilderness and by reminding them of the highly valued leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that they each possess. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation grant, totalling $200,000 over two years, will support Outward Bound’s veterans program, helping veterans and service members readjust to civilian life and address mental health issues associated with combat and service.

About Pat Tillman Foundation

In 2002, Pat Tillman proudly put his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve his country. Family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Pat’s death in April 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Created to honor Pat’s legacy of leadership and service, the Pat Tillman Foundation invests in military veterans and their spouses through academic scholarships–building a diverse community of leaders committed to service to others. For more information on the Pat Tillman Foundation and the impact of the Tillman Scholars, visit www.PatTillmanFoundation.org or follow us on Twitter @PatTillmanFnd.