Our Stories
Making an Impact One Hero at a Time
Our mission to improve the lives of military heroes through financial support and opportunity can best be told through 20+ years of success stories. In partnership with donors, sponsors and veteran service organizations, we are proud to have supported more than 140,000 service members and veterans since 2001.
The Emami Family
Extracurricular activity grants have helped the Emami’s two daughters foster their love of education and the arts while building their self-confidence.
Partnership with Our Military Kids
Terra Arma
Combat veterans turned business owners and Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program (VEIP) graduates are the visionaries behind Terra Arma, a hardworking apparel brand.
Defenders Lodge
The PenFed Foundation continued our commitment to the Defender’s Lodge in 2022 by providing gift cards for the staff to distribute to guests who need support paying for meals during their stay.
Luis & Claudia Avila
As an Officer with the 720th Military Police Battalion, Capt. Luis Avilla served five combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he suffered grave injuries when a mounted improvised explosive device detonated nearby. Today, he and his wife, Claudia, are Military Heroes grant recipients and continue their life of service in the community. For her unending support as a caregiver for her husband, Claudia also received the Hero at Home Award and serves as an advocate and voice to other military families in need.
Anthony Matlock
Our Military Heroes Program grants help support non-profit veteran organizations actively making a difference in its communities. Long-time partner US VETS received a grant in 2022 that provided life-changing services to veterans on their Washington, D.C. campus. Veteran Anthony Matlock lost his business during the pandemic. US Vets helped lift him out of homelessness and gain employment.
Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America’s Teaching Times program ensures the stories of service, sacrifice, and valor are passed down to the next generations. Its curriculum provides free standards and character-based lesson plans, projects, and materials that encourage a service component.
David Sissom
Our Military Heroes Grant Program is there for service members when they need us most. Brutally cold winters paired with cracked, faulty windows presented many problems for National Guardsman, David Sissom and his family. Thankfully, a grant from the PenFed Foundation provided warmth in the form of much-needed replacement windows.
SOAR
Military Heroes Program grant recipient Home Base has served more than 30,000 veterans and their family members with life-changing programs like the Skills-based Outpatient and Addiction Recovery Program (SOAR). SOAR supports veterans and service members with both mental health and substance abuse disorders.
Motorenn
VEIP Master’s Program graduate and portfolio company, Motorenn is modernizing the world of used premium vehicles. Founded by Army veteran, David Chou, Motorenn believes that buying, ownings, and selling your dream car should be easy. Customers can take advantage of their streamlined process online that includes zero dealership fees, remote check out, and more.
Wove
VEIP portfolio company, Wove is a custom engagement ring company that provides exact replica rings for at-home try-ons. Co-founded by Army veterans, Andrew Wolgemuth and Brian Elliot, Wove puts couples first. They match you with your own jewelry designer and deliver your handcrafted ring to your door within 7-days, 3x faster than the industry standard.