Honoring the legacy of America's finest

Special Operations Warrior Foundation ensures complete post-secondary educational support and additional educational opportunities “cradle to career,” for eligible surviving children of fallen Special Operations Forces and children of all Medal of Honor recipients; and provides immediate financial assistance to severely wounded, ill, and injured Special Operations personnel — today and in the future.

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Warrior Fatalities

Over 1,100 Special Operations Warriors have lost their lives since 1980. 

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Children Eligible

We are currently committed to funding the education for over 800 children of fallen Special Operations Warriors and children of all Medal of Honor Recipients.

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College Graduates

Over 400 children have graduated college through the support of SOWF funding and dedicated partnership with the Scholarships & Family Outreach team.

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Wounded

We provide immediate financial assistance to severely wounded, ill, and injured Special Operations Warriors requiring hospitalization.

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Surviving Children

There are over 1,500 surviving children of fallen Special Operations Warriors since 1980.

A message from board member and American actor Cole Hauser

“I was proud to spearhead our September, 2021 Join Forces: Texas Style. With the support of many incredible companies and donors, we raised significant funds for the surviving children we provide fully funded college educations and additional educational opportunities for. It was a night filled with compelling stories, a variety of pertinent information and, certainly fun – so many powerful messages. I want to personally thank everyone for joining us on that special evening!” 

Cole Hauser speaks at Joint Forces: Texas Style event in Dallas 2021

A Message FROM NFL LINEMAN ALEJANDRO VILLANUEVA

Former Platoon Leader, 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment

Alejandro Villanueva

“Though I changed NFL teams this past off-season, I remain steadfastly committed to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Having served in the military and our Special Operations community, I believe it is important that we honor the fallen by taking care of their children with fully funded college educations and additional educational opportunities throughout their academic journey.

Having been deployed more than once to Afghanistan, I had the privilege of leading others and developing a bond with my teammates. The same can be said for my time in the NFL. The important difference is, some of those I lined up with in the military made the ultimate sacrifice, leaving behind a family facing a dramatically different and uncertain future. SOWF relieves these families of the financial burden related to their children’s education; from preschool thru post-secondary education, and the foundation is with these kids every step of the way.

I would encourage everyone to support the Special Operations Warrior Foundation in their mission to honor the sacrifice of our Special Operations Personnel and Medal of Honor recipients by funding the education of the children they left behind. They can’t do it without you!”

 

 

Climb to Glory!
Rangers Lead the Way!
Al Villanueva

What We Do

Educational Programs

commited to ensuring student success with support every step of the way

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Family Outreach

Our dedicated staff proactively contacts every family of fallen Special Operations Personnel from the first month of their loss and then stay in constant touch throughout the years

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Support for Wounded

IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES OF SEVERELY WOUNDED WARRIORS

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Ways to Give

Upcoming Events

Testimonials

"The morning of April 21st, 1989, my dad, Colonel James “Nick” Rowe - a man who had defied the Viet Cong and escaped after five years, a man who taught others how to survive similar experiences - had been killed by terrorists in the Philippines.

There was never a question of if my brother and I would go to college. The question we had was where we were going to college. Mom had a more important question and that was how we were going to pay for college. A friend from the Special Operations community recommended the Warrior Foundation. It was amazing to see the relief on my mother’s face as a major question that kept her up at night had been answered. Between an academic scholarship and the incredible generosity of donors to the Warrior Foundation, I graduated from Campbell University with a BA in Government/Political Science DEBT FREE. These two words have allowed me a future unencumbered by college debt. "

Alex Rowe, Graduate of Campbell University
Alex Rowe, Graduate of Campbell UniversityAlex graduated from Campbell University in 2009 and has gone on to be both a high school and middle school teacher in the areas of History and Social Studies. He was selected teacher of the year during 2017-2018 school year and was the North Carolina Charter School Teacher of the Year runner up.

Alex along with so many educators around the country is adapting to distance learning and trying to equip his students with the resources to continue their education from home. At the same time, Alex greatly misses his students and cannot wait to get back in the classroom.

"I would not be where I am today without the financial assistance, guidance and encouragement from Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Thank you for every single dollar, follow-up email, and birthday card ever sent for me and my family; I am forever grateful.

The support Special Operations Warrior Foundation and the donors provided my family the opportunity to accomplish an educational achievement that I would most likely wouldn’t have been able to attempt alone."

Courtney Weeks, Graduate of Belmont University
Courtney Weeks, Graduate of Belmont UniversityCourtney is the daughter of Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jamie Weeks, who lost his life serving Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006. Courtney graduated from Belmont University in 2011, with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
“Special Operations Warrior Foundation has been with my family and I since the death of my father, providing guidance, support and encouragement the whole way. Then as I transitioned to a student, they made it possible for me to study and focus on my craft.

While receiving support from the SOWF, I was able to earn my bachelor’s degree. Without their support, I would not have been able to accomplish such a task. That degree has helped with not only my professional life, but also my presentation as a person.

Supporting an organization like SOWF is one to consider. They really are a family of the people they support because they care so much and are there to make sure they go and stay on a successful path. There's no organization like SOWF.”

Malcolm Tracy, Graduate of Los Angeles Film School
Malcolm Tracy, Graduate of Los Angeles Film SchoolMalcolm is the son of Air Force Tech. Sgt. Martin Tracy who lost his life in 2002 while assigned to the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron.

A TRUSTED CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION​

SPECIAL OPERATIONS WARRIOR FOUNDATION IS PROUD TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A FOUR- STAR CHARITY FOR THE LAST 15 CONSECUTIVE YEARS BY CHARITY NAVIGATOR AND A RECIPIENT OF GUIDESTAR’S 2020 PLATINUM SEAL OF TRANSPARENCY.

A 2018 Actuarial review* identified a $165 Million Dollar need to fund the educations of current and future children supported by SOWF. *Mercer, a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan the world’s leading professional services firm in the areas of risk, strategy and people, published the Actuarial study in November 2018.

Help Empower Our Students

Special Operations Warrior Foundation has seen nearly 400 students obtain their college degree. There are nearly 900 students in our program, ranging from infants to high school student. Your support honors the sacrifice of their fallen parent and empowers them along their academic journey.
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