Heroes' Movement
Strengthening Our Vets
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The challenges Veterans often face when separating from the military are significant. Transitioning to civilian life includes an opportunity for growth and progress, but also brings with it the loss of community, adjustment to a different way of life, and often accommodation to new physical or psychological challenges. Heroes’ Movement works to redevelop a community in which Veterans can feel supported in rebuilding their physical and emotional strength. The need for these services is significant. From January 2018 to January 2019 the number of Veterans taking advantage of the program and sessions sponsored has quadrupled. Just like every small non-profit fundraising is our biggest challenge.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Heroes' Movement
Heroes' Movement bridges the gap from therapy whether it's mental or physical to getting strong again through small group coached strength and conditioning workout for any Veteran of the United States Armed Forces for free.
Where we work
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Better physical movement
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Veterans
Related Program
Heroes' Movement
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Every Veteran that enters the program is screened with the Functional Movement Screen. 7 movements are scored from 0-3. We screen, do corrective exercises and re-screen.
Number of clients who report a greater sense of purpose and improved overall wellness
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Veterans
Related Program
Heroes' Movement
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This data was collected through testimonials from the Veterans enrolled in our program.
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?
Our goal for 2022 is to raise at least $500,000 to support the current number of Veterans enrolled in the program. Once Veterans enroll in the program, they tend to see the benefit and will increase the regularity and frequency with which they attend workouts. Ideally, we will raise enough to expand to more cities across the country. Ultimately, we aim to grow to support free small group coached workouts available at multiple cities in each state.
Additionally, we would like to develop an app and technology to support healthy choices, track workouts, and monitor mental health. From there, we hope to generate networks and connections with other non-profits that enable us to connect Veterans with a wide range of services to support healthy, meaningful lives.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The strategies are straight forward:
Hired a new grant writer this year.
Having our gym partners engage with their communities to host events and fundraisers.
Looking into corporate sponsors.
Seeking new donor sources.
Increasing visibility on social media and elsewhere.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We are small, but growing non-profit. We have reviewed our functioning as an organization and identified some areas for improvement including: optimizing return on time and effort toward grant acquisition, better engagement with our gym partners to participate in fundraising or contribution to the cause, and improving our organizational structure. It is for this reason that we are interested in increasing our transparency through opportunities like those offered by GuideStar to share about our organization. Finally, we have identified reliable donors who believe in our mission; we are working to grow these types of relationships. However, we are aware that building some of these relationships take time and we are committed to demonstrating our sincerity and integrity in the process.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In early 2020 we were sponsoring close to 400 veterans every month, it has been a slow road back. As of Jan of 2022 we are serving 140 veterans, our goal is to ramp up to 500 veterans actively training with us by December.
Each of these Veterans has a unique story in how he or she came to and benefits from the program. Here is a testimonial:
I'm writing this on behalf of the Heroes' Movement and Physical Culture gym. I am an Army combat veteran. I served two tours in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division and was among some of the best trained soldiers in the world. When I got discharged from the military I was not concerned with physical fitness or keeping healthy. I had real issues with alcohol for many years. Up until recently I chose to change my life! Through fitness I have learned there is more to life than alcohol and destroying my body, and hurting others in the process. I was referred to Physical Culture by a local Law Enforcement officer who attended some of their training and put me in touch with the gym. The staff explained to me that there is a non profit organization that provides free training for veterans. I thought this was too good to be true and contacted Heroes' Movement and they confirmed it and had me all signed up. I have been training with them courtesy of Heroes' Movement for a couple months now and I can honestly say it's the best decision I have made in a long time. The staff is the best I have had the pleasure of working with. The training facility is absolutely top notch, clean, and always has a positive vibe! I have been involved with many different gyms and trainers and I can say without a doubt in my mind that the staff at Physical Culture is the among the best I have ever trained with. And this is all through Heroes' Movement. Too many veterans take their live's everyday because they have no where to turn. Heroes' Movement gives them an option! I wish I would have had this opportunity many years ago. But the opportunity is here now, and I intend to take full advantage of it! I appreciate everything the Heroes' Movement does, as well as Physical Culture for stepping up and allowing me and the other veterans who attend the chance to have a better life. It has truly changed my life and I hope others will take advantage of it!
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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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 strengthen relationships with the people we serve
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting 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.
Heroes' Movement
Board of directorsas of 01/23/2024
Mike McKay
Morgan Kay
Organizational demographics
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
No data
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 03/23/2020GuideStar 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 seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.