Massachusetts Fallen Heroes, Inc.
Honor, Support, Empower
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
After six years of hard work, community involvement, determination, and active fundraising, we dedicated the Massachusetts Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Heroes Memorial on May 27, 2016 in Boston’s Seaport District. We encourage all to visit the Memorial, take time to reflect and revere the sacrifices of the Commonwealth’s service men and women. Our organization is dedicated to maintaining and preserving the Memorial. The work we do to Honor the Fallen was our beginning. We have since evolved into an organization whose three pillar mission is to Honor, Support and Empower. SUPPORT Across the Commonwealth, our events, programs and education keeps the burning beacon of light bright for Gold Star Families.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Gold Star Family Excursions
To provide an environment conducive to cathartic behavior through entertainment, meetings, and meals. Only open to Gold Star Families; this provides the family members to interact with others who have suffered similar loss. Excursions are often broken down into sub-familial categories in order to reinforce the existing and naturally occurring bond between family members of similar make-up (e.g. siblings, parents, widows, etc.)
Veteran's Edge
A comprehensive service that streamlines existing resources for Veteran's facing an array of issues to include (but not limited to) Civil Service Employment, Discrimination, Legal (non-criminal), Disability Claims, Workforce Development, and any other issues brought to our attention by individual Veterans or established Veteran Organizations (e.g. Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Amercian Legion, etc.) Our organization responds to all requests within a 24 hour period of receiving the online form; in most cases we respond within 12 hours via phone or email in order to set up an initial intake appointment at our office with our Veteran Outreach Coordinator. Veterans request assistance mainly through an online form that is user friendly and quick via our website.
Where we work
Awards
External reviews
Videos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
To raise awareness about the sacrifice our fallen heroes made, why they gave their all, the families that are left behind, and the the way in which our organization helps. We will also continue our advocacy and create new, innovative programs that have direct, positive impacts on the lives of Veterans and Gold Star families.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
To continue to grow at a healthy pace and hire additional qualified staff members.
To maintain contact with our base
To remain a grassroots organization that values face-to-face time with the population that we serve
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our organization has created a long-term and sustainable source of revenue by creating a vanity license plate open for purchase by all residents of Massachusetts. This will not only serve as a rolling tribute to our fallen, but it will continue to serve as an ongoing and effective marketing tool across the state and allow us to keep serving our community. Normal fundraising will also continue.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
HONOR The debt of gratitude owed to the our service members whose lives were sacrificed preserving our democracy is immeasurable. Their lives were spun into thread that has kept the fabric of our nation tightly woven for over 243 years. The might of a 50-foot obelisk standing tall in the calming waters of a cascading reflecting pool framed with etched names of our fallen is merely an extension of the true power of our mission. The work at Mass Fallen Heroes is more than the tangible memorial that we have built; it is a family that we have created. We share the same acquiescence with the Gold Star Families, that every breath we breath is owed to these heroes, and everyday we live is Memorial Day.
SUPPORT Across the Commonwealth, our events, programs and education keeps the burning beacon of light bright for Gold Star Families. Together we work to enlighten the public on the true meaning of sacrifice and just how precious life is. Many share personal stories of grief and loss but also the will to pick up, dust off, and drive on despite such heartache. Mass Fallen Heroes has leveraged a deep rooted network of supporters so that we are able to aid Gold Star Families and veterans with trips and outings, as well as financial support.
EMPOWER Many Veterans often find returning home to civilian life to be a difficult transition. For these patriots and their families, as well as Gold Star Families, we have developed and extensive road map of job referrals, health and wellness programs, and legal counsel. Our unique InnoVets and Veterans Edge programs offer a safety net and backbone of support to aid in securing a strong physical and financial future.
Honor Block- Phase two of Seaport Common and the Mass Fallen Heroes Memorial will be the construction of Honor Block. Honor Block will be home to an Interactive Mass Fallen Heroes Memorial, Education Center, and Museum. The space will highlight the real stories of service members lost. The space will be 2,000 sf and will act as a museum with interactive technology in order to promote a real connection to our heroes.
InnoVets- WS Development, the developer of Boston’s Seaport project, is working with the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes organization to identify space to house the MFH InnoVet’s program in the Seaport to give Veteran entrepreneurs the opportunity to thrive in the heart of Boston’s innovation economy while sharing their successes with the surrounding community through public programming, youth mentorship, and other civic engagement activities.
“We are proud to partner with Massachusetts Fallen Heroes to honor, support, and empower Gold Star families and veterans across the Commonwealth” said Yanni Tsipis, Senior Vice President, Seaport at WS Development. “The InnoVets program will provide a unique accelerator for Veteran entrepreneurs to benefit from the energy and resources of Boston’s innovation economy.”
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild 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.
Massachusetts Fallen Heroes, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 03/30/2023
Matthew McKenna
Lynch Associates
Term: 2018 - 2020
John Hynes
Boston Global Investors
Edward Kelly
Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts
James Kelley
Michael Brown
City of Boston
Steve Xiarhos
Town of Yarmouth
Chris Pratt
OmniSource
Matthew McKenna
Lynch Associates
Christine Griffin
Robert Hallinan
David Hunt
RET.
Greg Kelly
City of Boston
Board leadership practices
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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? Not applicable -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
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? Not applicable -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Not applicable -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable