GOLD2023

Angels Within Inc DBA American Soldier Network

Choose To Live

aka American Soldier Network   |   Mission Viejo, CA   |  www.americansoldiernetwork.org

Mission

American Soldier Network is a hands-on organization that raises awareness and funding to tackle the psychological and emotional battles affecting veterans on the home front such as PTS, homelessness, unemployment and reintegration. The American Soldier Network is a nonprofit corporation with federal tax-exempt status as a public charity under section 501(c ) (3).

We have launched https://ruckup.org the first of its kind platform for the veteran and military community to assist in combating the suicide epidemic.

Notes from the nonprofit

We are solely funded by the generous donations of individuals and foundations who believe in our mission and work. We have zero paid staff we are run solely on volunteers. Our board are all volunteers. We strive to operate on a 75/25 guide meaning less than 25% of what we take in goes to overhead and 75% goes to programs and services. Our most recent work is developing and lauching RuckUP a one of its kind platform to combat the veteran/military suicide epidemic in the US. It is the only ID verified and secure virtual / social space online for our veterans and military with the FoxHole. Also the AidStation offers resources across the US outside the VA system for help. As well as the Caregivers Corner offering a space for CareGivers to connect, share and support. https://ruckup.org

Ruling year info

2008

President

Mr. Frank K Wheaton, Esq

Treasurer

Ms. Carol A Nelson

Main address

24000 Alicia Parkway #17 Suite 244

Mission Viejo, CA 92691 USA

Show more contact info

Formerly known as

Angels Within Inc

EIN

33-0713731

NTEE code info

Military/Veterans' Organizations (W30)

Fund Raising and/or Fund Distribution (Y12)

Alliance/Advocacy Organizations (T01)

IRS filing requirement

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

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Veteran Military Suicide is a national epidemic. American Soldier Network in 2018 has launched RuckUP.org the first of its kind.
RuckUp highlights:
The Foxhole
Vets/Military can connect with in a secure ID verified space, partnered with ID.me, vets can connect safely and securly with each other through a forum system, where they can find buddies, meet new friends, and pass on info (so no soldier is left behind!). Unlike Social Media where nothing is private, secure nor veteran verified.
Aid-Station RESOURCES
Vets and their family members can search trusted support and treatment providers to find help that's available nearby. Vetted and approved resources will include facilities that treat PTS, TBI, CTS, depression, addiction, and provide alternative treatments in suicide prevention. (Hope outside the VA)
Take the Oath
Here, vets can 'Take the Oath' (I Choose to Live) and share on social media. (We have had 17 saves that we know of to date since launching the Oath in a group of 5000

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?

"American Heroes"

A new television series / self produce the "pilot" / this show will put the "reality" in reality TV and finally do right by our real American Heroes our veterans!

Population(s) Served
Adults
Veterans

Annually we collect IN-Kind donations, sponsorships and hand made cards from our youth for our Showing Warriors America's Gratitude Christmas bags. They are stuffed and personally delivered to our Active Duty combat wounded, ill and injured service members.

Population(s) Served
Military personnel
People with physical disabilities

RuckUp.org is a ONE OF A KIND website created to dismantle isolation, provide hope and resources as well as initiate the Choose to Live Oath which is the First Step in the fight against suicide. This site was launched in late 2019 and is our largest outreach endeavor to date. Service the entire internet veteran/military and care giver community.
We average over 100,000 hits monthly with our largest month exceeding 500,000 hits. The Aid Station is an ongoing resource page that is growing in its resources. Powered by zip code. Offering help outside the VA space.
This undertaking is our most costly yet most rewarding. Knowing we are truly making an impact in the #brainhealth and #suicideprevention space is our greatest reward.

Population(s) Served
Military personnel
Veterans
People with diseases and illnesses
Caregivers

In 2015 The Dean Gary Team and Freedom Fest LLC ignited their passion towards our American Heroes and launched Freedom Fest Colorado, a music Festival celebrating our heroes and raising awareness to their needs here on the home front. The event raises funds for The American Soldier Network and a few other local Colorado non profit organizations. Little did anyone know Freedom Fest Colorado would become an annual event - attended by thousands, it's become one of the most anticipated events of the summer
as of 2020 Freedom Fest has taken different forms and is moving to TN due to CO event restrictions.

Population(s) Served
Age groups
Ethnic and racial groups

Where we work

Awards

1st Annual Open Heart Patriot Award 2012

Open Hearts Foundation

Award of Merit to Annie Nelson 2012

American Legion Chapter 0397 Monerey Park, CA

American Soldier Network American Heroes Column Every Issue 2023

US Veterans Magazine

Helping Hands Award 2017

Celestial Award of Excellene

Committee Service Award 2000

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Above & Beyond Award of Excellence 2016

Angels Of Light Academy

Appreciation of Service 2015

Wounded Warrior Battalion Camp Pendleton

Certificate of Appreciation 2014

Ft Irwin National Training Center

Certificate of Congressional Honor 2015

US House of Representatives Congress

Appreciation of Service 2017

Wounded Warrior Battalion Camp Pendleton

Appreciation of Service 2018

Wounded Warrior Battalion Camp Pendleton

Appreciation of Service 2019

Wounded Warrior Battalion Camp Pendleton

Appreciation of Service 2016

Wounded Warrior Battalion Camp Pendleton

Appreciation of Service 2014

Wounded Warrior Battalion Camp Pendleton

Videos

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

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.

To profide a confidential id verified on line space for the veteran & miltary communit to connect, share, support and learn. To also include the caregiver community a space to share and find resources. To provide healing treatment resources for ALL that are outside the VA system. The trust with the VA is gone yet the suicides are on the rise, the veteran and military communities need to know there are options out there outside the VA system where they can seek help and heal. They are nor will they ever be alone.

Launching the first of its kind online platform for the entire veteran, military and caregiver communities. To keep the AIdStation of this platform always growing with resources. To get the platform of RuckUP to the masses.
First we will be speaking in Tampa on April 19,2018 for the LIFTx at MacDill Air Force Base to introduce RuckUp to 1000 audiences predominantly be active duty personnel from ALL services along with government civilians and possibly some retirees. As of today the event is planned to be live streamed to 3,100 members across the base in addition to the 600 in attendance. We hope to use this event to springboard to more live engagement opportunities across the US at bases, events and meetings to expand RuckUp to the masses.
Also reaching out to partner organizations like the American Legion and others.

We are continuing our relations with our veteran communities and military personel. We plan to use social media, the media and leveraging our relationships to partner and continue to share RuckUP, its need, its answers and its resources.

We have launched RuckUP.
We have launched the I Choose To Live Oath, which has presently been creditied to aiding in saving 17 lives to date that we know of.
By booking our first base launch on April 17, 2018.
By launching our Freedom Fest CO I choose to live oath video and continuing our relationship with Freedom Fest Colorado as their main benefactor.

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 make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, 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 collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, The people we serve tell us they find data collection burdensome, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, It is difficult to get honest feedback from the people we serve, sensitive information can be hard to share.

Financials

Angels Within Inc DBA American Soldier Network
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Operations

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

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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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.

Angels Within Inc DBA American Soldier Network

Board of directors
as of 10/14/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board co-chair

Mr. Scott Rothert

Navy Federal Credit Union

Term: 2014 -


Board co-chair

Mary Kate Flatley

Deloitte

Term: 2020 -

Frank K Wheaton

Attorney At Law

Scott Rothert

Navy Federal Credit Union

Mary Kate Flatley

Deloitte VET

Carol Nelson

Retired

Sharian Jones

Retired

Steve Warlick

Director Strategic Consulting VET

Glenn Chandler Karp

Capital Markets

Nick Glenn

CHRO VET

Aaron Wagener

VP Technology VET

Jeremiah Workman

Entrepreneur VET

Anthony Ball

CRM Administrator VET

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? 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? 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? Not applicable

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 10/14/2023
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

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
Black/African American
Gender identity
Male, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

The organization's co-leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender
Disability status
Person with a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

Disability

Equity strategies

Last updated: 10/14/2023

GuideStar 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

Data
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
  • We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
  • We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
Policies and processes
  • We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • 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.