Programs and results
What we aim to solve
We aim to help our veterans and families reconnect away from home and away from all the distractions of doctors' appointments, physical therapy, children's activities, etc and begin the healing process due to injuries and/or absence.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Operation Black Hills Cabin
A one-week respite to reacquaint themselves with their families, enrich and enhance their lives and create lasting memories in a quiet, leisurely environment with little or no cost to them.
Where we work
External reviews

Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of veterans with PTSD served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Caregivers, Families, Veterans
Related Program
Operation Black Hills Cabin
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
All of our families include a combat wounded veteran from the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts. They have served their country and returned a very different person with PTSD, TBI's etc. Closed 2020 COVID
Number of veterans who report a decrease in depression
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Caregivers, Families, Veterans
Related Program
Operation Black Hills Cabin
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Our one-week respite allows the veteran and family to begin to heal, reconnect, and realize they can adjust and operate in their "new normal". Quality family time is key. Closed 2020 due to COVID.
Number of families served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Caregivers, Families, Veterans
Related Program
Operation Black Hills Cabin
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Due to weather and seasonality, we operate 18 weeks per summer. Each veteran family stays one week to reconnect, reflect and heal due to injuries and absence. Closed in 2020 due to COVID 19.
Number of States represented by combat wounded veteran families.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Caregivers, Families, Veterans
Related Program
Operation Black Hills Cabin
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
We recognize veterans from all 50 states. Since inception in 2011, we have hosted 114 combat wounded veterans and families from 34 different states. Closed in 2020 due to COVID 19.
Number of veteran families that have experienced healing during their one-week stay.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Caregivers, Families, Veterans
Related Program
Operation Black Hills Cabin
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, survivor's guilt, paranoia, mood swings, sleeplessness, hearing loss, light sensitivity/nightmares are a few of the injuries that begin to heal. Closed 2020 (COVID).
Number of volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Caregivers, Families, Veterans
Related Program
Operation Black Hills Cabin
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
We are 100% volunteer, who help with cleaning, maintenance, marketing, grant writing, fundraisers, family outings, Quilts of Valor, gift items, check-in/check out, promotions and presentations, etc.
Number of sponsoring businesses, attractions or recreational opportunities offered at no cost to each family.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Caregivers, Families, Veterans
Related Program
Operation Black Hills Cabin
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Mt.Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Reptile Gardens, Evans Plunge, 1880 Train, Bear Country, restaurants, museums, quilts of valor, massages, hikes, fishing, gifts, FREE. Closed 2020 (COVID)
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn 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?
Our goal is to provide a week-long respite at no cost to qualifying combat-injured veteran families from the Iraq/Afghanistan wars. With one cabin, open from Memorial Day through September, we are able to host 17 families each summer. Our goal is to keep the cabin occupied each week and provide healing and the ability to reconnect, one family at a time.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Presentations to many service organizations including VFW, Auxiliaries, DAV, American Legion, Rotary, Elks, etc;
Contact with many VA hospitals and clinics throughout the US;
Links on various veteran websites, including Wounded Warriors, Spouse of Wounded Veteran, Yellow Ribbon, etc;
Social media;
Recommendations from previous hosted families;
News articles and releases on TV, Radio and newspapers;
Contact with all Veteran Service Officers throughout the Midwest;
US Senator Michael Rounds from SD sent out a "Dear Colleague" letter to all constituents;
Website updated on regular basis;
Booths at various trade shows and events;
Entries in parades throughout the region.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We are 100% volunteer but have a very committed Board of Directors and committees. We are also blessed with an abundance of community support and participation.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We have hosted 114 families from 34 states in our short existence. We have saturated the regional area and continue to work on a national basis to get the word out.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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Who are the people you serve with your mission?
Combat wounded veterans and their spouse and family.
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How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Paper surveys, Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person),
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, 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,
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What significant change resulted from feedback?
We conduct an exit interview with the family to determine anything that was missing, misleading or confusing and make all needed corrections.
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With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
Our board, Our funders, Our community partners,
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How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship?
Feedback from our families has been instrumental in providing a meaningful and healing experience.
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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 act on the feedback we receive,
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback,
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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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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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.
OPERATION BLACK HILLS CABIN
Board of directorsas of 5/4/2021
Patricia Baird
Ione Fejfar
Jeff Baird
Marty Mahrt
Larry Zimmerman
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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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? 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
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 05/02/2021GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.