Air Warrior Courage Foundation

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Air Warrior Courage Foundation

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About Us

In 1998, the Air Warrior Courage Foundation (AWCF) was formed by members of the RRVA. This action was taken in recognition of problems being increasingly faced by active, retired and/former members of the U.S. military, their families and our nation at large.

On December 1st, 1998, the California Secretary of State and the Franchise Tax Board recognized the Air Warrior Courage Foundation (AWCF) as a non-profit foundation. Shortly thereafter, on April 9th, 1999, the Internal Revenue Service granted the AWCF its 501(3) non-profit status. The Board adopted the name of “Air Warrior Courage Foundation” to preserve the “who” of its intended constituency – military aviators and their families – and the “what” of those it expects to serve – those “air warriors” with the courage to fight the financial ravages of illness or injury, those whose air combat actions deserve recognition of their “courage,” and the youth of our country striving to become military aviators. We trust you feel the same. Read more about us here.

We are incredibly proud to have earned a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the 12th Consecutive Year.

Our Programs

We strive to help in whatever way is most impactful

By meeting the veteran and their family wherever the need is, we achieve our goal of maximizing impact as quickly as possible. Learn more about our programs below, and reach out if you would like to learn more.

We've supported our veterans with millions in benefits of cash, vehicles, travel and more

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AWCF Wounded Warrior Emergency Support Fund

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

The Air Warrior Courage Foundation aka Wounded Warrior Emergency Support Fund is an IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and is therefore eligible for personal or corporate contributions, as well as Combined Federal Campaign (#11450) and United Way donations. All support is an endorsement of the Foundation’s Guiding Principles.

OUR DONOR POLICY

  • We will not sell, trade or share a donor's personal information with anyone else
  • We will not send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations
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Proudly Supporting

Gary Sinise Foundation

We at AWCF proudly support the Gary Sinise Foundation. The Gary Sinise Foundations mission is to honor and serve America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. Through their R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment), specially adapted smart homes are being constructed for severely wounded veterans and first responders nationwide. Each one-of-a-kind, 100% mortgage-free home is customized to ease the everyday burdens of a wounded hero, their family, and caregivers. Other programs include Relief & Resiliency Outreach, Invincible Spirit Festivals, Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band, Arts & Entertainment Outreach, Serving Heroes, First Responders Outreach, and Soaring Valor. Its latest program, Snowball Express, serves the children of our fallen military heroes, surviving spouses, and Gold Star families. For more information, please visit GarySiniseFoundation.org.

Testimonials

What our Veterans say about us

Click here

Address:

Air Warrior Courage Foundation
P.O. Box 877
Silver Spring, MD 20918

The Air Warrior Courage Foundation aka Wounded Warrior Emergency Support Fund is an IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (Tax ID 77-0490412) and is therefore eligible for personal or corporate contributions, as well as Combined Federal Campaign (#11450) and United Way donations. All support is an endorsement of the Foundation’s Guiding Principles.

Copyright 2023 | Air Warrior Courage Foundation | AirWarriorCourage.Org

Therapeutic Riding Program FAQ

Are there any programs that would potentially benefit our community since our services are free?
 
ANSWER – Yes. AWCF support may be by cost per child/lesson (a personal scholarship) or, in the case of those TROs that do not charge participants, a blanket award to the Therapeutic Riding Center (TRC); all payments/donations are made directly to the TRC. Completion of the TRP Application is required for all participants.
 
How might a military family with a disabled child be reviewed for funding?
 
ANSWER – Military rank or branch of service is not an issue. The AWCF makes its decision solely on each child’s situation, medical prognosis and “need.” The AWCF reserves the right to verify the military status of the sponsor(s) and dependent status of the child involved, the medical condition of the child and the “need.”
 
Does your program provide support for military dependent children that do not have a diagnosed disability?
 
ANSWER – No, the AWCF TRP is designed to assist military dependent children receive disability therapy not covered by the traditional military service “safety-nets,” e.g. CHAMPUS, TRICARE, etc.
 
What is the advance timeline that they would need to apply?
 
ANSWER – Whenever a child is approved by the TRC for participation or is already participating, we will accept a completed TRP application and begin the process for possible funding. The AWCF approval process takes approximately 2-3 weeks to be completed and the Therapeutic Riding Center/family notified of whatever support is approved.
 
Is there a specific format?
 
ANSWER – Yes, please review our TRP Application.
 
Do you share participant information with anyone other than the AWCF, the Therapeutic Riding Center and family involved?
 
ANSWER – No. As with all AWCF philanthropic activities, all information is dealt with on a confidential basis unless, on a voluntary basis, written permission of all parties is obtained.
 
We are an EFMH (Equine Facilitated Mental Health) program, and the majority of our riders are able bodied but wrestling with many issues. Would your program be able to sponsor scholarship for those students if they qualified?
 
ANSWER – Probably not, as our program is not currently designed to support “able-bodied” children. However, our medical staff will review a child’s condition diagnosis/ prognosis statement, completed by his/her doctor, and make a determination of eligibility.
 
Some of our students are from families so broken apart that there is no contact between parents. Do you have access to military service information if the fathers are unreachable to fill out forms about their service history?
 
ANSWER – No, we do not have such a capability but the parent caring for the child should be able to provide sufficient information for our review. Having a “regular” family, i.e., not divorced/separated/etc, does not qualify nor disqualify a needy child from participating in our program.