PLATINUM2023

Operation First Response

“Serving America’s Finest”

aka OFR   |   Culpeper, VA   |  https://www.operationfirstresponse.org/

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Mission

Operation First Response serves wounded, injured and critically ill active duty Service Members, Disabled Veterans, First Responders and Gold Star families with personal and financial needs. Services are provided from the onset of injury, throughout their recovery period and along their journey from service life into the civilian world. Financial aid varies as each case is based on individual needs ranging from rent, utilities, vehicle payments, groceries, clothing, and travel expenses.

Ruling year info

2005

President/CEO

Mrs. Peggy Baker

Main address

20037 Dove Hill Rd

Culpeper, VA 22701 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

20-1622436

NTEE code info

Military/Veterans' Organizations (W30)

Travelers' Aid (P61)

Victims' Services (P62)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2022, 2021 and 2019.
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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Thanks to advances in protective technologies and battlefield medicine more of our Heroes are surviving combat. However, once home many are struggling with the wounds of battle, both visible and invisible – which can contribute to the risk of suicide. The suicide rate has reached unprecedented numbers since 2013 statistics have shown that Military suicides have exceeded combat deaths from Iraq and Afghanistan. That is a daunting fact and the heartbreaking reality of suicide is that it is a permanent solution to a temporary issue and only leaves a trail of broken hearts that spans generations. While attempting to manage their recovery/transition into the civilian world, they are entered into a backlogged and broken system. The complex VA process can take over a year or more leaving them to deal with the horrors of war and the inability to provide for their families.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Family Assistance Program

Our Family Assistance Program was developed with the main purpose of alleviating the financial difficulties facing a wounded Hero’s family. We serve all branches of the military and all conflicts. We serve Disabled Veterans, Gold Star families and First Responders. We provide personal and financial services from the onset of the injury or illness, throughout the recovery period and along their journey into their civilian community.

Our services include financial support for the basics like groceries, clothing, mortgage, rent, utilities, and vehicle payments. The things that we take for granted are not so easy for our Heroes and their families.

Without the worry of having the electricity or gas shut off, or whether there is enough money to buy food for the children, our Heroes can concentrate on their recovery with a brighter hope for the future.

Population(s) Served
Veterans
Families
Emergency responders
Military personnel
Caregivers

OFR provides financial aid to combat Veterans and First Responders suffering from PTSD that attend in-house counseling and therapy treatment to gain the skills needed to cope with the symptoms they experience. Many must make the decision between their family finances and receiving this needed therapy.

Population(s) Served
Veterans
Families
Caregivers
Emergency responders
Military personnel

OFR sends backpacks to wounded service members located at combat support hospitals in theatre. These backpacks are filled with a set of clothing, hygiene products, a handmade blanket, and a phone card and sent to a POC to be given to our wounded upon arrival. These items enable our wounded to have some personal items considering many have their uniforms cut off on the battlefield and it may take weeks for personal items to be returned.

OFR also provides Hygiene bags to Veteran Food Shelters and Veteran Homeless Shelters.

Population(s) Served
Veterans
Families
Emergency responders
Military personnel
Caregivers

Where we work

Awards

Newman's Own Award 2007

Fisher House

Newman's Own Award 2008

Fisher House

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of clients served

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Military personnel, Veterans, People with disabilities, Emergency responders

Related Program

Family Assistance Program

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Context Notes

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Operation First Response chose to assist with a larger amount to make a larger difference in the families that we served bringing the number of served in down slightly.

Number of clients who report that services/supports are available when needed, even in a crisis

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Caregivers, Families, Veterans

Related Program

Family Assistance Program

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Totals for each year are broken out by percentage of surveys received and rated very good by Veterans served.

Number of phone calls/inquiries

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Emergency responders, Military personnel, Veterans

Related Program

Family Assistance Program

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

We are small staffed and to assist with the rising needs we have directed phone callers to our website for the information they are contacting Operation First Response. This has helped response time.

Number of families assisted with rent or mortgage to avoid eviction

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Emergency responders, Military personnel, Veterans

Related Program

Family Assistance Program

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Context Notes

In the past we have assisted with $500 towards rents and mortgages, to make a larger impact we assisted with larger amounts towards these needs. Lowering the number of families assisted annually.

Number of job skills training courses/workshops conducted

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Military personnel, Veterans, Emergency responders

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

2022 A new course was added: CompTIA Security Plus and CCNA courses are now available to Students free of charge. 66 students attended the classes.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Strategic Plan for 2022, Operation First Response’s Strategic goals are:

• Assist Every Case Received to the Full Amount Needed.
• Develop Partnerships to Expand Services Provided.
• To Raise Awareness of the Challenges that Returning Soldiers face during their recovery period.
• Decrease the Suicide Rate of the Military/Veteran population

Within the overarching goals of our 2022 Strategic Plan are our strategic objectives, which are:

• Objective for Goal 1: To raise funding to ensure that all Disabled Veterans receive the assistance needed to overcome any financial burden as a result of injuries that occurred in defense of our country.
• Objective for Goal 2: OFR seeks to develop partnerships with businesses and other organizations to aid in the expansion of the full scope of services provided.
• Objective for Goal 3: To increase awareness of the plight of tens of thousands of returning Soldiers who are wounded and whose families are facing significant financial and emotional challenges as their loved ones recover.
• Objective for Goal 4: Suicide remains one of the biggest challenges for our Military/Veterans and OFR works to relieve the factors that drive them to suicide.

• Substantial nationwide support through our loyal donors.
• A collaborative team of 3 staff members and approximately 750 volunteers nationwide.
• Exceptional leadership and management.
• Strong and involved board governance and oversight.
• Volunteers that are strategically placed across the nation devoting their time to mentoring Veterans in need, raising awareness and searching for fundraising opportunities.
• 24/7 access for wounded, injured, critically ill Active Duty Service Members and Disabled Veterans and their families to request emergency financial assistance virtually at www.operationfirstrseponse.org.

2022 Statistics

3,021 Wounded Heroes and their Families received assistance with:
• Mortgage and Rent
• Utilities
• Vehicle Payments
• Groceries
• Air Transportation
• Ground Transportation
• Lodging
• Mentorship and resources

66 Veterans received specialized training

550 OFR Hygiene Bags were given to Veteran Homeless Shelters

93 Gold Star families received a portrait of their Fallen Hero


To Date Statistics (2004-2022)

28,599 Wounded Heroes and their Families received assistance with:
• Mortgage and Rent
• Utilities
• Vehicle Payments
• Groceries
• Air Transportation
• Ground Transportation
• Lodging
• Mentorship and resources


11,407 OFR Backpacks were sent to combat support hospitals in theatre.

4,472 OFR Hygiene Bags were given to Veteran Homeless Shelters

136 Veterans received specialized training

647 Gold Star families received a portrait of their Fallen Hero

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.
  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback

Financials

Operation First Response
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

Operation First Response

Board of directors
as of 07/17/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Mr Phillip Irizarry

No Affiliation

Term: 2010 -

Bob O'Donoghue

Phillip Irizarry

Ronny Porta

Retired USMC Wounded Warrior

Peggy Baker

Operation First Reponse

Danielle Ferguson

Lauri Hauser

Cox Communications

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 1/28/2021

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.