COAST GUARD FOUNDATION INC

The Coast Guard Foundation tackles the toughest challenges confronting our heroes. We strengthen the Coast Guard community and service by being there for members and their families, where and when they need it the most.

We understand the realities facing Coast Guard service members, as well as the unique challenges that come with their decision to serve our country. This positions us to provide comprehensive support for members, veterans, and their families.

● Education is essential to a strong future for the Coast Guard community. The Coast Guard Foundation steps in to make higher education possible for Coast Guard members, spouses and children.
● Employment opportunities for Coast Guard veterans and spouses ensure that families have a strong, diversified income throughout their service and beyond. The Coast Guard Foundation is stepping in to change that with support with workforce development programs for Coast Guard members and professional licensing and certification for spouses.
● We prioritize family resilience, so that members, spouses, and children have the support they need to recover with comprehensive support when natural disaster strikes, and tragedy assistance when a Coast Guard member is critically injured or dies.
● Prioritizing the health and wellness of the Coast Guard is crucial—not only so they remain always ready for their assignments, but so they can maintain their own physical and mental well-being while at sea or stationed in remote areas.
● A sense of community is powerful for members and families, as Coast Guard deployments can be remote and isolating. The Coast Guard Foundation creates and celebrates communal bonds so that our heroes always feel supported.

We’re a vital partner to the Coast Guard. We collaborate with Coast Guard leadership to identify the best ways to support members and families and effectively address new and emerging needs. Our partnership spans the entire community—whether supporting individuals, bolstering entire units, or honoring the Coast Guard’s mission at a national level.

The Foundation has over 50 years of experience investing in the resilience of the Coast Guard. Our respect for the community in addition to our smart use of funds equip us to make strong investments consistently.

● We have a close rapport with Coast Guard leadership. We’re the first organization they call to collaborate with on a wide range of issues and opportunities, and we do the same.

● We’re deeply connected to the Coast Guard community. Our staff are stationed across the country to work with leadership and members, and because we’re on the ground, we’re able to respond to needs as soon as they arise.

We’ve created a better future for the entire Coast Guard community. The resolve and resilience of members is stronger. Families have complete support. From enlistment to long after retirement, with us, the Coast Guard remains always ready.
● Since our founding in 1969, we’ve distributed over $87 million to Coast Guard members and their families. Each dollar has strengthened service and improved lives.

● We’ve provided $46 million in education initiatives, helping thousands within the community—members, spouses, and children—achieve their dreams of higher education.

○ More than 1,600 students have benefited from the Foundation’s scholarships, which help them finish college and enter the workforce with little or no student loan debt.

○ We’ve helped Coast Guard spouses access higher education and secure long-term employment through scholarships, grants, and pilot programs like the Family Child Care business grants.

○ We’ve provided more than 18,000 grants for Coast Guard members to support college tuition or professional training, so they are set up for success after their service ends.

● We’ve made career transitions easier through workforce development programs. Hundreds of talented members get the civilian credentials they need to compete for jobs in technical trades and industries once their service has ended.

● We’ve helped members prioritize their physical and mental health by investing $26 million in health and morale services.

● We’ve invested $3.9 million in direct support for families who have suffered the tragic loss of a loved one or needed critical support during natural disasters and emergencies.

● The sense of community and support we offer is a benefit to Coast Guard members and their families.

● Working closely with Coast Guard leadership, we are piloting programs to boost the retention rates of female members, improving the diversity of the entire force.