The Green Beret Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that exists to support the Special Forces community, is in a growth period right now in preparation for the 75th anniversary of the inception of the Special Forces in Spring 1952 at Fort Bragg. 

“We were very fortunate and blessed that the regiment asked us to be the lead organization, really the only organization, to work handin-hand with the regiment to recognize the 75th anniversary of the regiment. The 10th Group was first stood up in 1952; it’s why they’re called the Originals,” shared Charlie Iacono, president & CEO of the Green Beret Foundation (GBF). 

The US Army Special Forces (SF), known as Green Berets because they are awarded a green beret to wear following the rigorous selection and training process, are specialized military units trained to conduct special operations. SF missions focus on unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, direct action, counterterrorism and special reconnaissance. The Green Beret Foundation believes these highly skilled soldiers are the nation’s greatest military asset and have earned support and opportunities through their sacrifices on behalf of their country. 

It is a logical choice for the Green Beret Foundation to support the US Army’s planning of the Special Forces anniversary. While the GBF is only 17 years old, its impact reaches back in history. 

“This is an organization that spans all of the [living] generations of Green Berets from the Vietnam Veteran to those who have served in every other conflict up to the current state where we are today,” stated Iacono. 

The Green Beret Foundation, catalyzed by this watershed anniversary, is seeking to double the organization’s budget (growing to $10 million). This would allow them to have dedicated funds for each specific Special Forces Group. At Fort Bragg, that is the 3rd Group, and that would mean quickly deployed resources for these soldiers, local Veterans and their families. 

“Every group is unique, so the needs and the opportunities will differ from group to group because of where they are deployed, but that being said, we see in the Veteran population some themes of support that are often requested, ” Iacono said. 

Headquartered in Southern Pines, N.C., the Green Beret Foundation provides Special Forces soldiers and their families with emergency and ongoing support relating to casualties, health and wellness, family opportunities and transition support. Iacono says their programs are designed to support the mind, body and spirits of the soldiers and their families. They include financial support after the death of a service member, or for educational opportunities for the spouses and children of service members. The GBF has the largest scholarship portfolio in the Special Forces community. They also provide Warrior Sportman, which offers outdoor opportunities such as fishing and hunting. 

Iacono says one of their most beneficial and successful programs relates to their VA Benefits & Claims education and support. Soldiers will ask for the Green Beret Foundation to represent their VA Disability claims to help them get the best rating. 

“That is a benefit they have earned. That is no different than in the for-profit world when someone has worked for 20 or more years; you see people walk away with pensions or investment funds that they’ve gotten because the company has invested in that individual. The VA program and disability rating is a continued investment into the warfighter after service,” shared Iacono.   

When Iacono joined the organization four years ago, he conducted a community need assessment and decided to make it a fully remote organization outside of its representation at the Veteran Services Offices where each of the Special Forces are located. This allows their administrative staff, located across the country, to better fundraise and nimbly work to meet the needs of soldiers around the country and world. 

“The ability to be where the need arises, or the situation needs support, is critical to our current state and posture, but really, quite frankly, to the future of what the regiment will need with the evolving threats that our nation faces,” Iacono stated. “The idea is to be able to rapidly respond in a very proactive, strategic and tactical way.” 

This agile, strategic approach allows the GBF to be most effective in their financial and programmatic support, investing 88% of their income into services for the members and families they serve and providing over $44 million in SF community investment. They have also been intentional in their fundraising approach by acquiring and absorbing organizations that support the same mission to maximize their giving power. Under the umbrella of the Green Beret Foundation are Warrior Sportsman Program, Special Forces Scholarship Fund, Benny Atkins Scholarship Foundation, 3rd Group Warrior Fund and Jedburgh Media Channel. 

Those interested in partnering with the Green Beret Foundation can find more information about donating and event sponsorship on their website at www. greenberetfoundation.org/donate. This includes their annual giving, as well as their Capital Campaign giving to increase their overall budget.