Angels Within Inc DBA American Soldier Network

Bullhorn For Our Brave

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

Annual Valentine outreach serving either veterans or military on or near the Valentine date. We create events that bring morale boost and entertainment to our heroes.

Population(s) Served
Military personnel
Families

Used shoe drive, encouraging the community to donate slightly used shoes, learning the needs of our military/veterans here at home. Keeping the shoes out of our land fills and the shoes are then distributed to the impoverished all over the globe.

Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Veterans

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 last summer)

Caregivers Corner
Family members and people providing care for vets can read articles, find resources, and refer family members/friends to get help through the site.

Let’s RuckUp, and work together to bring honor, gratitude, and compassion to the men and women of our military.

Population(s) Served
Military personnel
Veterans

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

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

Regular Column Awarded to Annie Nelson of American Soldier Network 2012

US Veterans Magazine

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.
  • Who are the people you serve with your mission?

    The Veteran and Military community

  • 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

  • What significant change resulted from feedback?

    When creating RuckUp we did a research campaign along with the development company on what they look, feel and functionality of the platform needed to be for the community as well as the features it would have. Then as it launched we reached out once again to the development of the FoxHole and how it would work. That is how we knew we needed to partner with IDme to become a save secure ID verified space for only the veteran and military members to access that was to be monitored by veterans for veterans.

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

    We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, 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

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    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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  • 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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Angels Within Inc DBA American Soldier Network

Board of directors
as of 02/22/2022
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

Ed Lynch

Wicked Sports Marketing

Scott Rothert

Navy Federal Credit Union

Herb Coehn

Links Marketing Group

Mary Kate Flatley

Deloitte

Carol Nelson

Retired

Sharian Jones

Retired

Steve Warlick

Jacobs Engineering Group

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? 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

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 3/23/2021

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

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

Disability

Equity strategies

Last updated: 03/23/2021

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 have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.