Boot Campaign
{{Short description|American charitable organization for US veterans}}
{{advert|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox organization
| logo =
| name = Boot Campaign
| type = Non-governmental organization
| website = bootcampaign.org
| founded_date = 2009
| founders = Sherri Reuland, Mariae Bui, Ginger Giles, Leigh Ann Ranslem, Heather Sholl
| location = Dallas, Texas. United States
| homepage = [http://www.bootcampaign.org www.bootcampaign.org]
}}
Boot Campaign is a national 501(c)(3) charitable organization with offices in Dallas, Texas. Boot Campaign is accredited by the Better Business Bureau,{{Cite web |title=Charity Reviews |url=https://give.org/charity-reviews |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=give_org}} continues a years-long Platinum rating{{Cite web |title=BOOT CAMPAIGN INC - GuideStar Profile |url=https://www.guidestar.org/profile/27-4980936 |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=www.guidestar.org}} from Candid (formerly GuideStar), and has been named one of the nation's Great Nonprofits.{{Cite web |title=Boot Campaign Reviews and Ratings {{!}} , TX {{!}} Donate, Volunteer, Review {{!}} GreatNonprofits |url=https://greatnonprofits.org/org/boot-campaign |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=greatnonprofits.org |language=en}}
Programs
Boot Campaign has three programs in support of veterans, and military families. The Health and Wellness program delivers personalized treatment plans to veterans and their families. The program treats diverse health challenges connected to Posttraumatic Stress and/or Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as addressing trauma-based insomnia, chronic pain, and substance abuse and targets many of the same risk factors associated with suicidal ideation.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-29 |title=Boot Campaign: The Nonprofit Lacing Up America and Giving Back to Vets |url=https://www.coffeeordie.com/boot-campaign |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=Coffee or Die |language=en}} Boot Campaign program participants represent every branch of the military, and were a part of operations from the Vietnam War through today's present conflicts.{{Cite web|url=https://bootcampaign.org/2019healthwellnessimpactreport/|title = 2019 Health & Wellness Impact Report|date = 8 January 2020}}
Boot Campaign's Seasons of Service program "united Americans to show gratitude, meet service members’ needs and strives to alleviate stress and financial burden"{{Cite web |title=Seasons of Service Program |url=https://bootcampaign.org/seasonsofservice/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Boot Campaign |language=en-US}} by delivering specially curated gift boxes to veteran and active duty military families nationwide. The families served through their Seasons of Service program are experiencing an unexpected financial hardship, a major medical challenge in the immediate family, a hardship during the past year(s) due to recently transitioning from the military, change of duty station or an unexpected/extended deployment.
Retail sales
Beginning in 2011, Boot Campaign began selling combat boots as a way to further the mission and raise money to support veterans and military families. Retail sales of branded apparel followed, and Boot Campaign now maintains an online retail shop, where the organization raises money to support its individualized programs through the sales of combat boots, apparel, accessories, and branded gear.
Financials
In addition to required IRS financial filings, Boot Campaign voluntarily undergoes an annual independent financial audit by a third party agency to verify IRS and 501(C)(3) compliance. Current and historical 990 tax filing information can be found on the Boot Campaign website. In 2021, [https://bootcampaign.org/financials/ 88 cents of every dollar donated] to Boot Campaign went directly to the organization's programs for veterans and military families.
Recognition
Boot Campaign is listed in four charity monitoring websites: Candid (formerly GuideStar), GreatNonprofits, CharityNavigator and BBB Wise Giving Alliance. Candid first reviewed Boot Campaign in 2011, and has awarded the organization a Platinum rating for commitment to transparency.{{cite web|title=Boot Campaign Inc.|url=http://www.guidestar.org/profile/27-4980936|website=Guide Star|accessdate=9 May 2016}} GreatNonprofits has named Boot Campaign a Top Rated charity annually since 2013, which requires an organization to earn at least 10 four-star reviews each year. Boot Campaign has more than 150 reviews with an overall average rating of five stars.{{cite web|title=Boot Campaign, Inc.|url=http://greatnonprofits.org/org/boot-campaign-inc|website=GreatNonprofits|accessdate=9 May 2016}} The organization received a 100 out of 100 rating by Charity Navigator for accountability and financial responsibility. BBB Wise Giving Alliance rates the organization as an "accredited" charity based on its 20 standards for recognition.{{cite web|title=National Charity Reports: Boot Campaign|url=http://www.give.org/charity-reviews/national/veterans-and-military/boot-campaign-inc-in-tyler-tx-37393|website=Give.org|accessdate=9 May 2016}}
History
Tyler, Texas orthodontist Sherri Reuland read "Lone Survivor,"{{cite web|title=Boot Campaign provides $100,000 grant to Lone Survivor Foundation|url=http://lonesurvivorfoundation.org/bcgrant2015/|website=Lonsesurvivorfoundation.org|accessdate=13 May 2016}}Marcus Luttrell's account of Operation Red Wings, and was so moved by the story she recommended the book to four friends.{{cite news|title=Forbes: How 5 Women Raised Millions For US Veterans|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/winniesun/2015/11/10/bootcampaign/#7baed8ab6c78|accessdate=13 May 2016|work=Forbes}} Reuland, Ginger Giles, Heather Sholl, Leigh Ann Ranslem, and Mariae Bui borrowed combat boots for a photo project to show their support for troops and veterans asking Americans to "get their boots on" to show their support for the military.
References
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