In the US, around 1.5 million veterans live below the Federal Poverty Line, with around 1.3 million veterans utilizing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help pay for groceries. Poverty among veterans is strongly associated with food insecurity and is disproportionately linked to homelessness when compared to non-veterans. So we had to ask: What are the best charities that help with veterans’ bills?

The best charities that help with veterans’ bills are Semper Fi & America’s Fund, the Fisher House Foundation, and the Gary Sinise Foundation. Other charities like STEP and Operation First Response help build financial self-sufficiency and offer financial assistance to veterans and military families.

Whether you want to support military families with emergency financial assistance or charities that provide affordable, adaptive housing for injured veterans, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that help with veterans’ bills are all about, how they work, and what your best way would be to make a contribution.

Here’s What All the Best Charities That Help With Veterans’ Bills Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, quantifiable impact, and high transparency ratings.

They operate all over the United States, and some help soldiers stationed overseas as well.

Yet, as the cost of living continues to increase for all Americans, these charities have also adapted to be able to best serve the nation’s veterans and their families.

These Are the 9 Best Charities That Help With Veterans’ Bills in 2024

Below are our favorite charities that help with veterans’ bills:

Best Charities That Help With Veterans’ Bills

Semper Fi & America’s Fund

Fisher House Foundation

The Gary Sinise Foundation

Support the Enlisted Project (STEP)

Operation First Response

Homes for Our Troops

Folds of Honor

Operation Second Chance

Wounded Warrior Project

(At the end of this article we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

Semper Fi & America’s Fund: Today. Tomorrow. Together.

Semper Fi & America’s Fund was founded in 2003 by a group of military spouses to care for the first injured combat veterans returning home from Operation Iraqi Freedom. Today, they offer direct financial assistance and programs to help with transitioning and reintegrating back into civilian life for veterans all across the country and abroad. 

Semper Fi & America’s Fund holds a 4-star Rating from Charity Navigator, an A+ rating from Charity Watch, and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We work to ensure that no one is left behind.”

Semper Fi & America’s Fund

Semper Fi & America’s Fund operates programs that offer direct financial assistance to injured veterans and their families, physical and mental therapy, education support, and career assistance to prepare them for their post-military lives. The Service Member and Family Support program offers tailored financial assistance including bedside support, help with transportation and housing, and adaptive equipment. Their education aid includes help paying for books and school fees. They also help veterans following natural disasters by offsetting the costs of home repairs and providing financial assistance for food, rent, insurance bills, and more. 

Since their inception, Semper Fi & America’s Fund has provided over $300 million in assistance to over 30,000 service members. Their impact has also continued to grow year over year. For example, in 2022, they increased the number of service members assisted by 20% compared to 2021, and 1,825 service members were first-time grant recipients.

You can donate directly to Semper Fi & America’s Fund via their website. You can also help host an event, or volunteer your time and become part of their Community Athlete Team!

Fisher House Foundation: Housing During Hospitalization

The Fisher House Foundation was founded in 1986 by Zachary Fisher after recognizing the need for free and comfortable lodging for the families of hospitalized military personnel. They have expanded since their inception and now operate 94 houses (and counting) across 35 states, and even overseas in Germany and the United Kingdom. 

The Fisher House Foundation holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 94% Transparency Rating. They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, their highest ranking. 

“Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital.”

Fisher House Foundation

The Fisher House Foundation builds community homes with access to nearby military medical centers to allow the families of hospitalized soldiers to stay for free in order to heal together in a safe, inviting space. The houses include private suites, common areas, gourmet kitchens, and most importantly quick access to nearby hospitals. They have also expanded their programs to include scholarships for children of veterans, and Hero Miles that assist in travel expenses.

Since 1990, the Fisher House Foundation has housed over 455,000 military members and their families, saving them over $575 million. Their efforts have continued to increase in recent years. For example, in 2022 more than 25,000 families stayed in Fisher Houses, and they awarded scholarships to over 12,000 children of veterans. Also, their Hotels for Heroes and Hero Miles programs have saved military families nearly $121 million in hotel and flight costs since its inception.

You can donate directly to the Fisher House Foundation via their website. You can also donate air miles and hotel points via their website to be used by families.

The Gary Sinise Foundation: We Can Always Do a Little More

The Gary Sinise Foundation was founded in 2011 by film and television actor Gary Sinise to expand on his individual efforts to honor and give back to America’s troops and their families. Today, the foundation still puts on events and concerts to raise money but has expanded to include programs that provide adaptive housing, meals, and transportation for injured veterans.

The Gary Sinise Foundation holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 93% Transparency Rating. Charity Watch reports that 87% of their expenses are spent on programs, earning them an A rating.

“We serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, & those in need.”

Gary Sinise Foundation 

The Gary Sinise Foundation operates programs that give injured soldiers specially adapted homes and vehicles, and helps to support the families of fallen soldiers by paying for bills and basic necessities. For example, the R.I.S.E. program builds specially adapted smart homes that allow severely injured veterans to live more independently at no cost to them, while the H.O.P.E. initiative supports injured veterans and their families with assistance with bills, groceries, and other small financial hurdles. They also host an array of music and social events to honor the sacrifices of service members, while also giving them an opportunity to connect with their communities. 

Since their inception, the Gary Sinise Foundation has built 84 specially adapted smart homes, modified 99 existing homes, and provided 63 adapted vehicles to injured veterans. For example, in 2021, they spent over $11 million through their Relief and Resiliency programs for financial assistance. They have also hosted 297 concerts and have totaled over 82,000 attendees at their Invincible Spirit Festivals.

You can donate directly to the Gary Sinise Foundation via their website. You can also help host a fundraiser in your community to spread their message.

Support The Enlisted Project (STEP): Building Financial Self-Sufficiency

Support the Enlisted Project was founded in 2012 by Tony Teravainen to assist the thousands of young military and veteran families living around California’s 32 military bases. Today, the charity has expanded its reach to include Washington State as they continue to help veterans get through financial emergencies and obtain financial stability.

Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 94% Transparency Rating. They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“STEP builds financial self-sufficiency among junior active duty enlisted members, recently discharged enlisted Veterans and their families facing financial crisis.”

Support the Enlisted Project

Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) helps veterans and active duty personnel by hosting monthly distribution events for basic necessities, offering emergency financial assistance, and hosting financial workshops to teach service members how to achieve their financial goals. For example, the Warehouse on Wheels program regularly distributes food, clothing, diapers, and other home goods to military families in southern California. Other programs such as the Emergency Financial Assistance program issue grants to help with emergency expenses and then match the family with a financial counselor to teach them how to avoid future financial hardship. Their Financial Freedom Workshops also seek to teach military families how to manage their finances for future success. 

Since their inception, Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) has issued over $2.4 million in financial assistance and has served over 6,300 military families through their Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) program. Through this intervention, they have prevented 555 in-process evictions and made payments to stop 473 car repossessions. Crucially, of families that received help through STEP, 94% do not return for additional assistance. 

You can donate directly to Support the Enlisted Project via their website. You can also volunteer via their website in a variety of different ways.

Operation First Response: Financial Assistance For Disabled Veterans Wounded in Service

Operation First Response was founded in 2004 by Peggy Baker to help alleviate expenses for injured and disabled veterans and their families. Today, they help with financial expenses for disabled veterans as well as providing personal items for those recovering after a service-related injury.

Operation First Response holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“The mission of Operation First Response, Inc (OFR) is to serve all branches of our nation’s Wounded Heroes/Disabled Veterans, Gold Star Families and First Responders with personal and financial needs.”

Operation First Response

Operation First Response offers financial assistance for disabled veterans who were wounded in service, active duty personnel, and their families. Through their Family Assistance Program, they provide assistance that starts from the time of injury and continues through their reintegration into civilian life. For those suffering from invisible disabilities such as PTSD, they also offer The Last Mission Project to provide these disabled veterans with financial assistance. Furthermore, Operation First Response Backpacks have personal items and comfort items that are given to wounded service men and women while hospitalized abroad until they can return home. 

Since their inception, Operation First Response has raised over $14 million and helped 28,599 wounded heroes including disabled veterans. Their impact has also continued to increase year by year. For example, in 2022, they provided 3,021 wounded heroes and their families with financial assistance. In total, they have also sent over 11,000 Operation First Response Backpacks to disabled service men and women in hospitals abroad. 

You can donate directly to Operation First Response on their website. You can also stay up to date on their latest updates by following them on Twitter. 

Homes for Our Troops: Rebuilding Lives Through Regained Independence

Homes for Our Troops was founded in 2004 by home-improvement contractor John Gonsalves after he wanted to use his skills to help severely-injured soldiers returning from Iraq regain their independence. Today, the nonprofit improves the financial futures of injured veterans by providing them with custom houses to eliminate the burden of mortgage and rent payments.

Homes for Our Troops holds a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, and a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. Charity Watch also gives them an A Grade and reports an 84% program expense rate.

“To build and donate specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives.”

Homes for Our Troops

Homes for Our Troops builds custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 soldiers with accessibility upgrades such as wide doorways, pull-down cabinets, roll-in showers, and any other unique modifications the soldier and their families require at no cost to them. Veterans never pay any money for their homes, and the nonprofit also provides financial planners and homeownership education to ensure they can afford and maintain their new homes.

Since their inception, Homes for Our Troops has built over 350 specially adapted homes nationwide. Of the soldiers and families who have received new homes, over 90% say that they have regained some/much of their freedom, and 95% have seen a reduction in household stress. Households who received a home through them also saw an increase in family income of 60% and a decrease in household debt of 66%. 

You can donate directly to Homes for Our Troops via their website. You can also attend a build event to help welcome injured soldiers and their families to their new homes!

Folds of Honor: Meeting Sacrifice With Hope

Folds of Honor was founded in 2007 by Lt. Col. Dan Rooney to assist the families of fallen or disabled veterans. Rooney, himself a veteran of the war in Iraq, was moved to act after witnessing a family receive their fallen loved one at the same airstrip Rooney had returned home to. Today, they offer educational scholarships to the spouses and families of fallen or disabled soldiers all across the country.

Folds of Honor holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 98% Transparency Rating. They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“It’s our honor to empower people from every walk of life through education and the opportunities it creates.”

Folds of Honor

Folds of Honor gives educational scholarships of up to $5,000 to the spouses and families of fallen or disabled veterans and first responders. These scholarships can be used for K-12th grade as well as higher education. Folds of Honor’s other main program involves hosting and sponsoring golf events to raise awareness and funds to continue issuing scholarships. 

Since their inception, Folds of Honor has issued more than 44,000 education scholarships totaling over $200 million. Furthermore, 41% of scholarship recipients were from a minority background. They have also expanded greatly, as there are now more than 30 Folds of Honor chapters nationwide.

You can donate directly to Folds of Honor via their website. You can also donate a vehicle or participate in a sponsored golf game. 

Operation Second Chance: Helping Heroes Move On

Operation Second Chance was founded in 2005 by Cindy McGrew, with to offer veterans support in a variety of areas, from financial assistance to offering educational opportunities for their children. The charity was formed after McGrew befriended the families of three soldiers injured in Iraq, and was inspired by their experiences. Today, the charity has expanded their reach to 39 US states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands.

Operation Second Chance is well recognized for their transparency holding both a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a 99% Transparency Rating, and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Seek, create awareness, and assist our nation’s heroes indefinitely so not one combat wounded injured, and ill Veteran in need of assistance and healing is left behind”

Operation Second Chance

Operation Second Chance operates programs to help with veterans’ rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, childcare, and temporary lodging or flight expenses. By working with each applicant on a case-by-case basis, they are able to help with a variety of specific financial needs. They also provide need-based educational scholarships for the dependents of injured or deceased veterans. 

Operation Second Chance has expanded their capabilities from simple acts such as hospital visits and grocery shopping to life-changing work such as paying for veterans’ expensive medical equipment or helping with mortgage payments. For example, in 2022, they provided $1.6 million in assistance to 750 military members and their families. They also provided specific assistance by covering car payments for 30 military families and paying utility bills for a further 40 families. 

You can donate directly to Operation Second Chance via their website. You can also volunteer to get involved in a number of different ways depending on your background!

Wounded Warrior Project: To Honor and Empower Wounded Warriors

The Wounded Warrior Project was founded in 2003 by John Melia as a grassroots charity that sought to help veterans returning home with clothing and food donations. The charity grew rapidly, and today, under the leadership of Mike Linnington, assists veterans with mental health services, direct financial assistance, and career transition programs.

The Wounded Warrior Project’s reputation was tarnished by a financial misappropriation scandal in 2016, leading to the ousting of the CEO and COO who had replaced the founder, John Melia. Since this tumultuous period, their new leadership has made significant, verifiable improvements to their transparency and programs, which have been recognized by charity watchdog groups. 

They currently hold a 3-star Rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“To foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history.”

Wounded Warrior Project

The Wounded Warrior Project’s programs include support direct financial assistance, mental health services, career counseling, help with receiving VA benefits, and providing caregivers to severely wounded veterans. These programs are focused on improving the quality of life for soldiers returning home, and aiding in their recovery from the visible and invisible wounds of war. For example, the Financial Education group of programs includes direct emergency financial assistance and education on how to budget and achieve future financial goals. They also operate the Warriors to Work career transition program that gives returning soldiers assistance via career counseling, resume writing, and networking to help them gain financial independence.

The Wounded Warrior Project has continued to increase the reach of their programs year after year. For example, in 2022, they invested nearly $247 million in programs for veterans, secured $146.6 million in VA benefits for wounded military and their families, and provided over 54,000 hours of treatment for PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, substance use disorders, and military sexual trauma. 

You can donate directly to the Wounded Warrior Project via their website. You can also participate in a variety of fundraising activity events hosted throughout the year.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities that help with veterans’ bills. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

• Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarise yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
• Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
• Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
• Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing a charity’s progress in reaching its targets, the chances are they’re not making a substantial positive change.
• Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
• Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help – each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

• Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
• Buy their official merchandise. The charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
• Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
• Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
• Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support charities dedicated to helping with veterans’ bills – based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities – and what we can do about it:

Sources

• RAND Corporation: Food Insecurity Among Veterans
• USDA Food and Nutrition Service: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Semper Fi & America’s Fund
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• GuideStar: Semper Fi & America’s Fund
• Semper Fi & America’s Fund: Service Member & Family Support
• Semper Fi & America’s Fund: Disaster Relief Program
• Semper Fi & America’s Fund: Our Reach
• Flipsnack: SFAF Annual Report 2022
• Semper Fi & America’s Fund: Donate
• Semper Fi & America’s Fund: Host an Event
• Semper Fi & America’s Fund: Become a Community Athlete
• Fisher House Foundation
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• Charity Navigator: Fisher House Foundation
• GuideStar: Fisher House Foundation
• Fisher House: Houses
• Fisher House: Scholarship Programs
• Fisher House: Hero Miles
• Issuu.com: 2022 Fisher House Foundation Impact Report
• Fisher House: Donate
• Fisher House: How to Donate Miles
• Fisher House: How to Donate Points
• Gary Sinise Foundation
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• Charity Watch: Gary Sinise Foundation
• Gary Sinise Foundation: R.I.S.E.
• Gary Sinise Foundation: H.O.P.E.
• Gary Sinise Foundation: By The Numbers
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• Gary Sinise Foundation: Donate
• Gary Sinise Foundation: Fundraise
• Team STEP USA 
• Militarybases.com: California
• Charity Navigator: Support the Enlisted Project (STEP)
• GuideStar: Support the Enlisted Project (STEP)
• Team STEP USA: Warehouse on Wheels
• Team STEP USA: Services
• Team STEP USA: Emergency Financial Assistance Program
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• Team STEP USA: Donate
• Team STEP USA: Volunteer
• Operation First Response
• Charity Navigator: Operation First Response
• GuideStar: Operation First Response
• Operation First Response: Family Assistance Program
• Operation First Response: The Last Mission
• Operation First Response: OFR Backpacks
• Operation First Response: About
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• Twitter: OFR
• Homes for Our Troops USA
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• HFOTUSA: Mission
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• HFOTUSA: Calendar
• Folds of Honor
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• GuideStar: Charity Navigator
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• Folds of Honor: Squadron
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• Folds of Honor Golf Marathons
• Operation Second Chance
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• GuideStar: Operation Second Chance
• Operation Second Chance: Scholarships
• Operation Second Chance: Donate Now
• Operation Second Chance: Volunteer
• Wounded Warrior Project
• CBS News: “Wounded Warrior Project faces power struggle at top of organization”
• Military.com: “After Public Crisis and Fall from Grace, Wounded Warrior Project Quietly Regains Ground”
• Charity Navigator: Wounded Warrior Project
• GuideStar: Wounded Warrior Project
• Wounded Warrior Project: Benefits Services
• Wounded Warrior Project: Financial Education
• Wounded Warrior Project: Warriors to Work
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• Wounded Warrior Project: Donate
• Wounded Warrior Project: Give Back
• How Charities Work: Annual Reports