Operation Healing Forces Celebrates 15 Years of Impact with $15,000 Matching Gift from Raymond James

15 Year Anniversary Campaign Operation Healing Forces

In honor of Veterans Day and its 15th anniversary, Operation Healing Forces (OHF) has partnered with Raymond James for a $15,000 matching gift campaign to benefit Special Operations Forces (SOF) service members, veterans, and their families.

Through the campaign, “15 Years of Impact. A Mission That Continues,” Raymond James will match donations dollar for dollar, up to $15,000, providing an opportunity to raise $30,000 or more to strengthen OHF’s programs and expand support for the SOF community.

Honoring 15 Years of Service to the SOF Community

Since its founding in 2011, Operation Healing Forces has grown into a national nonprofit dedicated to addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and financial challenges facing Special Operations families.

Through its Therapeutic Retreat Program, OHF helps couples and caregivers strengthen relationships, improve communication, and reconnect. Its Special Operations Additional Resources (SOAR) Program provides assistance with urgent and ongoing needs, including medical care, mental health resources, food and housing insecurity, financial hardship, and career transition.

By the end of 2026, OHF is projected to have served more than 14,000 individuals across the Special Operations Forces community.

“For 15 years, Operation Healing Forces has been there for Special Operations Forces warriors and their families, providing support when they need it most,” said Kerry Irvin, Chief Executive Officer of Operation Healing Forces. “As we approach Veterans Day and celebrate this important milestone, we are reminded that honoring military service also means caring for those who have sacrificed so much. We are incredibly grateful to Raymond James for their generosity and commitment to our mission. This partnership allows us to expand our impact and help more SOF families access the care and resources they deserve.”

Raymond James Matches Donations to Support Special Operations Families

Through its generous commitment, Raymond James is helping OHF extend its reach and provide critical resources to more families facing unexpected challenges.

“At Raymond James, investing in our communities means supporting the people who make them stronger. We are proud to partner with Operation Healing Forces to honor the sacrifices of our nation’s Special Operations Forces and help ensure they and their families receive the support, care, and opportunities they deserve. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of those who have given so much,” said Brock Miller, Senior Vice President and Chief BSA/AML Officer at Raymond James Financial.

With the match, a $50 gift becomes $100, a $100 gift becomes $200, and a $250 gift becomes $500, doubling the value of each eligible contribution.

Honor Veterans Day. Double Your Impact.

This Veterans Day, join Operation Healing Forces in recognizing the service and sacrifice of America’s Special Operations Forces by helping ensure their families have access to meaningful support when it matters most.

Every donation helps OHF continue providing care, resources, and assistance to the SOF community. With Raymond James matching gifts up to $15,000, your generosity can go twice as far.

Read the full press release to learn more about Operation Healing Forces’ 15th Anniversary Matching Gift Campaign and its partnership with Raymond James.

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15 years of Creating Bonds That Cure

For 15 years, Operation Healing Forces has stood beside Special Operations service members, veterans, and their families across every branch of the SOF community. Through therapeutic retreats, immediate needs assistance, wellness programming, transition support, and more, OHF strengthens the mental, physical, emotional, and fiscal wellness that sustain the force of America’s Tip of the Spear.

Now, you can be part of what comes next.

Commit to $15 a month and help provide steady, reliable support for the families behind the mission.

Give By Check

If you’d prefer to mail a check, please make payable to: Operation Healing Forces Mail to: Operation Healing Forces 5100 W. Kennedy Blvd. Ste. 100, Tampa, FL 33609 Please be sure to include a return address and your e-mail, so we can send a note of thanks, add you to our Newsletter distribution list, and let you know our tax identification number for cash contributions are tax deductible.

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Giving

Supporting Operation Healing Forces through your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a simple, flexible, and tax-efficient way to make a lasting difference in the lives of wounded, ill, and injured Special Operations Forces and their families.
Your DAF contribution directly fuels our therapeutic couples retreats, caregiver retreats, and Immediate Needs Program, helping families find healing, stability, and renewed strength together.
How to Give Through Your DAF
You can recommend a grant to Operation Healing Forces through your donor-advised fund by providing your fund administrator with the following information:

Legal Name: Operation Healing Forces
EIN: 45-3798803
Mailing Address: 5100 W Kennedy Blvd, Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33609
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (813) 480-6078

Please specify if your grant is unrestricted or if you’d like it directed to a particular program such as our retreats, caregiver support, or immediate needs program.

Quick Links to Popular DAF Providers
If your fund is held with one of these major sponsors, you can recommend a gift directly online:

Why Your DAF Gift Matters

When you give through your donor-advised fund, you:

Mutually Beneficial

Aside from helping support a worthy cause, stock donations can maximize the value of a gift to both the charitable recipient and the donor. Compared with selling appreciated securities and donating the after-tax net proceeds, a direct gift of stock has the potential to increase the net proceeds to the charity and maximize a donor's tax deduction.

When donating appreciated securities (e.g., stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.) with long-term holding periods of one year or more, the amount of the donor's tax deduction is equal to the average value of the high and low price of the securities on the date of the gift. You may generally deduct up to 30% of your Adjusted Gross Income for contributions of appreciated securities held more than one year.

Donating stock to charity is as easy as calling your financial advisor and providing transfer instructions with the following information.

Federal Tax ID #45-3798803
Stock Donation Instructions:
DTC # 0443
Pershing LLC
FFC: Davenport & Company LLC
A/C Name: Operation Healing Forces
A/C #: DA4004713
Reference: Donor Name

A Home for Healing:

Operation Healing Forces offers transformative therapeutic retreats for SOF couples and caregivers, where meaningful connections are made in homes that provide the perfect setting for creating bonds that cure. A powerful way to give back to those who have sacrificed so much is by donating your home or offering your space to support these life-changing experiences.

OUR NEED:

5-bedroom, 5-bathroom homes at destination locales throughout North America and Worldwide.

TIMING:

Retreats take place over 5 days. We have needs for retreat locations in 2026 and beyond.

LEARN MORE:

Contact Kerry Irvin at [email protected] to learn more about opening your home to our nation's Special Operators and their spouses.

Why include Operation Healing Forces in your legacy?

Special Operations Forces represent just 3% of America's military, yet they stand as our nation’s Tip of the Spear—shouldering the most demanding missions and greatest sacrifices to protect our freedoms. Honor their service and strength by securing the future well-being of SOF service members, veterans, and their families through a lasting estate gift.

"Operation Healing Forces began in 2011 to aid America’s most elite warriors, Special Operations Forces and their families. This organization has now become my legacy."

Gary L. Markel, OHF Founder and Chairman

"The sacrifices that these young men and women make in terms of death, in terms of suicide, in terms of stress on the family, is unbelievable. This is one of the most compelling initiatives that I have ever been involved in."

Tony Markel, Vice-Chairman

"We want to make sure that our donations are helping the people we want to help, instead of funding administrative expenses. Operation Healing Forces has an amazing model really takes its mission to heart."

Keith Leclerc, OHF Board Member and President Of International Diamond Center

"Operation Healing Forces is one of the few charities I’m aware of where all of the administrative costs are funded by the founders. That’s phenomenal."

Bob Mizell, OHF Board Member And President Of International Diamond Center
Considering leaving part of your estate to OHF?

Transition Grant Program

Helping SOF Families Prepare for What’s Next

Operation Healing Forces provides transition and workforce development support to help Special Operations Forces (SOF) service members, veterans, spouses, and caregivers successfully navigate the shift from military to civilian life. Through personalized assistance, career-focused resources, and Transition Grants, OHF helps reduce financial stress and barriers to employment while strengthening long-term family stability and self-sufficiency. Transition support may include career guidance, workforce development assistance, certification and training support, relocation assistance, and other employment-related needs connected to a family’s transition journey.

What the Grant Supports

Transition Grants are designed to fund:

Eligibility
Typical Grant Amounts

Awards generally range from $500 to $3,000, depending on the request and provided documentation.

Required Documentation

Please note: This grant does not cover medical or mental health expenses. For wellness-related needs, visit our Immediate Needs Program.

Examples of Strong Explanations

“This certification will help me meet job qualifications in cybersecurity and increase my competitiveness for employment after service.”

“These tools are required for me to start work as a mechanic and are not provided by the employer.”

“My spouse’s medical billing course will enable her to work remotely and provide income during my shift from military to civilian life.”

“Relocating for a confirmed job offer ensures I can begin work immediately after separation.”

Timeline

Most requests are reviewed within 7–10 business days.

Need Help?

Contact:
Phillip Fong
SOAR Program Manager
[email protected]