Semper Fi Fund Annual Report

Transcription

1 Semper Fi Fund 2012 Annual Report

2 Message From the Chairman of the Board Our nation s Warriors continue to be engaged in our country s longest war. Although there has been considerable discussion in the media about the end of combat operations in Afghanistan, we must all recognize that very dangerous activities continue to be undertaken by our magnificent young service men and women. Further, these young Warriors often receive lifealtering wounds, and the human cost is catastrophic for them and for their families. In many cases, it will take a lifetime of love, understanding, support and care for those who have borne our country s burdens. In addition, we must ensure proper treatment and therapy for those personnel suffering from Traumatic Brain and Post Traumatic Stress Injuries (TBI and PTSI) and PTSD. We encourage all of you who have been our loyal supporters over the eight years of Semper Fi Fund history (yes, we just reached our eighth anniversary) to spread the word and help educate others on the need for lifelong assistance to help a large number of our Warriors and their families as they courageously face the future. As you know, your Semper Fi Fund (SFF) has provided vital assistance to our Marines, our Sailors and their families. As of June 2012, we have offered 44,811 grants to 6,817 Marines and 3,637 grants to 959 Sailors. We have also provided the same support to members of the other Armed Forces whenever they are providing support to Marine operations and activities. For example, we have helped 175 Army Warriors with 705 grants, along with 38 grants to six Air Force Airmen and eight grants to three members of our Coast Guard. Additional funding has been provided for a variety of programs such as transition assistance, home and vehicle purchases or modifications, wheelchairs, TBI/PTSD study, and adaptive exercise/sports equipment. Your generous support, coupled with the dedication, experience and creativity of our staff plus the diligent, attentive efforts of our wonderful volunteer Angels across the globe have built a Fund that is critical to the long-term recovery of our wounded Warriors. In the past, we have often been asked why we did not help all the members of our Armed Forces when they were severely wounded or injured in the line of duty. Recently, a cadre of prominent Americans engaged the SFF with a request to expand our scope and develop an approach that would support all seriously injured Warriors and their families regardless of their branch of service. Accordingly, and in concert with the leadership of our Armed Forces, we intend to meet this significant challenge because we believe it is best for our great nation. We have therefore formed the America s Fund to meet this major task of providing vital assistance and support to our service men and women. To this end, we have already provided 61 grants under the America s Fund. It should be noted that this Fund s accounting is maintained separately, and independently, from the SFF. We will, however, use our heretofore successful business model and modus operandi. Further, our standard wherein 95 percent of funds received go to our service personnel and their families remains our target. It is a rare privilege to be associated with the SFF team and its magnificent accomplishments. We are all truly excited that we will now have the opportunity to share insights and practices opportunities developed through our involvement with many remarkable and inspiring Marines, Sailors and their families with the wounded Warriors of all the services who have repeatedly sacrificed on far distant battlefields in what has now become over a decade of war. We remain eternally grateful to all of you who have supported our efforts you indeed are special! Our goal must and will be met: that no American service man or woman, or their families, should ever feel like they are alone during the long road to recovery. May God Bless, and Semper Fidelis. General Al Gray, USMC (Ret.) 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps Chairman of the Board of Directors

3 Message From the Founder, President & CEO We are delighted to share our eighth anniversary and our latest updates with you! I am happy to report that after eight years, our team is as committed and passionate as we were the day we picked up our incorporation papers in May With you by our side, we have been able to help our wounded and critically ill Marines and Sailors, and other service members who were injured while attached to Marine units, with over $63 million in assistance! With you by our side, we ve helped 8,000 service members, and many of their family members, from point of injury or illness to recovery! With you by our side, we ve built a Fund that has maintained an A+ rating with the American Institute of Philanthropy and four stars (highest rating) from Charity Navigator! With you by our side, we will continue to take this critically important mission forward to make sure our ninth year brings as much hope, inspiration and joy to those we are privileged and honored to assist: our service members and their families. You have helped create a Fund that is relevant and critically important in today s time of transition, as we stay faithful to those injured on the battlefield and in training accidents, those who are diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses while serving their country, and those who are at home, living with catastrophic injuries (both visible and invisible) from Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, more than ever, we are committed to strengthening our efforts to sustain the Fund and make sure we are there when our service members and their families need us. We realize this is not a short-term commitment; it is one that we will strive to keep perfecting for decades to come. With you by our side we remain faithfully committed to those who have sacrificed much for our freedoms, for our democracy, and to make the world a safer and better place. Forever grateful, Karen Guenther Founder, President and CEO Semper Fi Fund

4 Our Mission The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit set up to provide immediate financial support for injured and critically ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. We direct urgently needed resources to post 9-11 service members within hours of request. The Semper Fi Fund (SFF) provides relief for financial needs that arise during hospitalization and recovery as well as assistance for those with perpetuating needs. Our program provides support in a variety of ways including: Service Member and Family Support, Specialized & Adaptive Equipment, Adaptive Housing, Adaptive Transportation, Education and Career Transition Assistance, Therapeutic Arts and Team Semper Fi. Our streamlined structure keeps overhead very low at 5.92% because we realize every dollar saved can be put to better use elsewhere. The American Institute of Philanthropy has given us an A+ rating and Charity Navigator has given us their Four Star rating, the highest rating for each organization. The basic ideal that drives our efforts is simple: as much as these American heroes have sacrificed, they deserve the best care and support available in their hour of need. Injuries are often severe, and the road to recovery or rehabilitation can be long and costly. Since establishing this fund in 2004, we ve issued almost 45,000 grants totaling more than $63 million to thousands of our heroes and their families. But our challenges are actually increasing, especially due to the level of severe trauma sustained in areas like Afghanistan and Iraq. Tax-deductible contributions from people like you make up our lifeblood. Whether your donation is large or small, a one-time gift or ongoing endowment, you have the power to make a real difference, here and now; no matter where in the world you live. Help us help those who have given so much in the name of freedom.

5 Donor Contributions Help Our Mission FY2012 Expenses 94.08% 3.92% Program Expenses Administrative Expenses Fundraising Expenses 2.00% Source: FY2012 Financials Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund Grants Issued to Service Members and their Families Grants FY 2012 Cumulative Since Inception Grants Amounts Grants Amounts Family Support Assistance 6196 $4,535, $32,961,958 Transportation Assistance 549 $2,553, $8,078,705 Housing Assistance 649 $1,538, $7,426,829 Medical Support Assistance 1916 $1,099, $4,893,623 Transition Assistance 903 $870, $3,803,527 Specially Adaptive Equipment Assistance 222 $407, $2,897,062 Team Semper Fi 2310 $849, $2,179,229 Wounded Warrior Center Grants 132 $246, $718,296 Therapeutic Arts Assistance 57 $49, $84,260 America's Fund 61 $66, $66,296

6 Expansion Plan: Supporting America s Heroes America s Fund is a new program created by the Semper Fi Fund, an established 501(c)(3) nonprofit with an A+ rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy and a 4-star (highest possible) rating from Charity Navigator, to direct urgently needed resources and financial support to injured and critically ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. In just eight years, the Semper Fi Fund has provided more than $63 million in support. Semper Fi Fund caseworkers in hospitals around the country encounter severely wounded patients from every branch of service. Often, these service members from other branches have served with each other in joint operations, and are now in a hospital bed next to a Marine or Sailor who receives Semper Fi Fund financial assistance within hours of his or her request. We want to extend this high level of care to all our wounded heroes. This is a big endeavor: As of December 5, 2011, the United States military had 47,266 Wounded in Action from the current conflicts, broken down as Army 69%, Marines 27%, Navy 2% and Air Force 2%. Today, our first priority is providing family support grants. These grants enable families to spend time at their loved ones hospital bedside, free from the financial pressures of travel expenses, temporary lodging expenses and lost wages. With donor support, we plan to expand our range of services to include assistance for specialized and adaptive equipment, adaptive housing, adaptive transportation, education and career transition, therapeutic arts, and PTSD and TBI support. Additionally, we want to build programs that have proven beneficial to rehabilitation and recovery, such as team-based athletics and the Tim and Sandy Day Canine Companions Program. America s Fund can assist all those heroes who will continue to need our support for years to come. We will be a continuous and lasting support for our American Heroes.

7 Let the Good Time Roll: Team Semper Fi A new year has come and Team Semper Fi s schedule has been jam-packed. The team has grown tremendously and now includes over 345 athletes, up from 270 at the end of last year. It has participated in four events to date, helping provide opportunities for 272 service members, along with many others who are training and competing all over the country. The year began with an Alpine Big Mountain Camp in Park City, UT. Working with the National Ability Center, Team Semper Fi (TSF) saw 22 service members take to the slopes of Park City Mountain Resort. There were varying ability levels, from those experiencing their first time on the snow to some Paralympic Development Team members including a two-time National Champion all learning from one another. The next event for TSF was the Marine Corps Trials, hosted by the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment at Camp Pendleton, CA. There, 185 Marines (75 from Battalion West, 60 from Battalion East, 50 Veterans) and 35 service members from visiting countries competed in seven sports for a chance to represent the Marine Corps against the other services at the United States Olympic Committee 2012 Warrior Games. We re proud to announce that 29 of the 50 Marines who made the team for the third annual event are Team Semper Fi! March began in Fresno, CA, with the spectacular Blossom Trail Ride, one of TSF s most scenic events. Fifteen service members and eight family members enjoyed this cycling event through the orchards of the San Joaquin Valley. Service members challenged themselves to one of the 60-mile, 40-mile or 20-mile routes. The next day, the team members enjoyed some camaraderie as they explored Yosemite National Park together. The final event for March was a TSF community event in Charleston, SC, called the Cooper River Bridge Run. As is customary for this event, the weekend began with the Blue Star Moms hosting a dinner for our 10 service members and five family members. With 44,000 runners, this 10K is an amazing event for our Team. April was an exciting month for TSF. The Team participated in the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, CA, and took part in the opening of the 2012 Warrior Games at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. Coming months will feature events including the Sea Isle City, NJ, Tri for our Vets triathlon; the multi-sport Endeavor Games in Edmond, OK; Team Semper Fi Triathlon camp at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY; and the inaugural Team Semper Fi Drive for Our Heroes golf tournament in Colorado Springs, CO. As Team Semper Fi has grown throughout the years, so have the success stories. While the Team provides athletic opportunities for hundreds of service members, many have excelled beyond the recreational level, providing inspiration to all of us. The Team now counts among its ranks 50 service members who are competing nationally or internationally in their chosen sport. Team Semper Fi is proud to support these athletes as they pursue excellence and show their more recently injured teammates what is possible when they pursue Recovery Through Sport.

8 Our Heroes Stories HM3 ANDREW LONG On Oct. 9, 2010, Andrew Long was simply doing the job he had been trained for as a Hospital Corpsman. He was on the battlefield taking casualties in a firefight in Afghanistan. While carrying a wounded Marine off the battlefield, Andrew was hit by a bullet in the spine. Because of this one bullet, Andrew became a paraplegic. But Andrew s spirits were not damaged. Since that day, he has met with the Marine he carried and continues on the road to recovery through therapy, from Bethesda and Palo Alto back to his home, and now to the VA hospital in Tampa. He is now looking to complete his current mission to walk again. The Semper Fi Fund has been there for Andrew and his family, providing grants for family support while his mom remained at his bedside for almost four months. Through the Fund, Andrew also received a therapeutic mattress, adaptive pick-up truck and assistance with his move to Tampa. Andrew remains dedicated to his mission and continues to work hard. STAFF SERGEANT JASON ROSS Jason Ross is a Marine, a husband, a father, a son and a brother. He takes on each of these roles with pride. As a Marine, Jason is a highly trained explosive ordinance device (EOD) technician. On his third deployment in Afghanistan, an IED blast in March 2011 changed his life forever. This event left Jason clinging to life and his family scrambling to be at his side in Germany. Semper Fi Fund was with Jason s family at every step during this trying time. From the time his parents awaited his arrival at the hospital, through each phase of his recovery from double leg amputation, a Semper Fi Fund caseworker was there to make sure the family s needs were taken care of and explain how the Fund could assist. Jason survived the blast and an eightmonth stay in Bethesda battling infections, several complications and tough surgeries. During this time he continued to play the important roles in his family only he could fulfill: supportive husband to a wife who is also an active duty Marine; father to two little girls waiting to be held by their daddy; son to proud parents leaving their lives behind in California; and brother to three other men struggling with the fact that their brother was starting a new phase of life without his legs. Jason was promoted to Staff Sergeant while in his hospital bed with family by his side, but he does not let his injury define or limit him. His leadership and mentorship is evident as he talks with newly injured service members to give them hope and inspiration. Jason s wife, parents and brother were proud to attend his Purple Heart ceremony

9 Partnerships & Programs HOME DEPOT FOUNDATION GIVES $500,000! We are proud to announce that the Home Depot Foundation has given the Semper Fi Fund a grant for $500,000 to help us with specially adapted housing! This grant will help us fund more special adaptations to the existing homes of our most severely injured service members. Houses can often become unsafe environments for service members in wheelchairs or with other major injuries, posing significant barriers to their ability to live at home. The Home Depot Foundation s support will help us ensure that more of our injured return home to a safe living arrangement. house. A specially adapted bedroom and bathroom will give Cpl. Nicholson the accessibility he needs when he finally comes home. The Semper Fi Fund, with the support of the Home Depot Foundation, will be providing some of the funding needed for this project. One such project that is currently underway is for Corporal (Cpl.) Michael Nicholson, a triple amputee from Tampa, FL. As Cpl. Nicholson recovers in the hospital, members of his community have stepped up to put a specially adapted addition on his parents BOLSTERING SPIRITS BY SADDLING UP The new Jinx McCain Horsemanship Program continues to provide opportunities for service members to harness their inner cowboy on a regular basis. In April, the program hosted yet another successful event with the third Cutting Horse Classic in Nokesville, VA. Horsemanship skills were on display, as were demonstrations showing how these skills can strengthen service members recovering both physically and mentally. At the conclusion of the competition, the Fund hosted a rousing BBQ and Barn Dance for the riders and guests, generously sponsored by TenCate. LCpl Kyle Quillman rides high at the Cutting Horse Classic.

10 Memorandum to the Board 2012 Full-year Results Fiscal 2012 was a year of amazing accomplishments. In 2012 the Fund gave out 13,000 Grants -- that is twice as many as were issued in 2010 and is an amount nearly equal to the sum of all Grants issued from 2006 through and including In 2012, total Donations to the Fund since inception crossed the $80 million mark and by year end stood at more than $83 million, while in that same period Grants issued surpassed $60 million and by June 30 stood at more than $63 million. The Fund embarked on a new program, America s Fund, to care for the critically injured of other branches of the military and by year end, our caseworkers were caring for seventeen catastrophically wounded members of the Army. And in 2012, the Fund raised more than $15 million in Donations, the largest amount ever received in a single year. Quite a year indeed. Donations were exceptional, exceeding last year by more than 20%. A difficult achievement given the ongoing economic uncertainty which plagues our nation. Large donations (those $50,000 or greater) played an important part in the increase. The decline in Investment Gains, net ($14,112) resulted from ongoing volatility within financial markets -- volatility not likely to soon abate. Program Expenses increased by nearly 23% or $2,714,114 over 2011 and were responsible for the lion s share of the increase in the Average Monthly Burn Rate (which went from $1,059,627 in 2011 to $1,305,520 in 2012). Driving the increase in Program Expenses were both Grants and Allocated costs. Though Grants increased in several categories, the growth was most dramatic in Transportation Assistance, Hosing Assistance, Medical Support, and Transition Assistance. Many of our critically wounded are finally leaving the hospitals. When this happens, the Fund s efforts shift from bedside to the home-front, where our caseworkers help the service member establish their new life. Comparative Operating Results FY11/FY12 Fiscal Year: July 1- June 30 Year Ending June 30, Change Donations-SFF $15,069,894 $12,874,984 $2,194,909 Donations-America s Fund 505, ,390 Interest & Dividends 251, ,274 (6,912) Investment Gains(Losses), net (14,112) 544,947 (559,059) Total Revenue 15,812,534 13,678,205 2,134,328 Program Expenses 14,739,272 12,046,435 2,714,114 Administrative & Fundraising 926, , ,601 Total Expenses 15,666,238 12,715,522 2,950,715 Net Income $146,296 $962,683 ($816,387) Program Expenses Percentage 94.08% 94.74% (0.52%) Average Monthly Burn Rate $1,305,520 $1,059,627 $245,893

11 INJURED MARINE SEMPER FI FUND STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION FY 2012 (July 1, June 30, 2012) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash & Cash Equivalents $2,269,746 Accounts Receivable and Prepaid Expenses 95,881 Contributions Receivable 105,847 Inventory 6,153 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS $2,477,627 Investments $8,290,022 Furniture and Equipment 350,621 TOTAL ASSETS $11,118,270 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses $259,947 TOTAL LIABILITIES $259,947 NET ASSETS Unrestricted $10,256,364 Temporarily Restricted 601,959 TOTAL NET ASSETS $10,858,323 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS $11,118,270 STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES- INCOME & EXPENSE INCOME Donations $15,575,284 Other Net Income $237,250 TOTAL INCOME $15,812,534 EXPENSE Program Expense (94.74% of Total) $14,739,272 Fundraising Expense (1.58% of Total) 313,653 Administrative Expense (3.68% of Total) 613,313 TOTAL EXPENSE $15,666,238 INCREASE IN NET ASSETS $146,296 NET ASSETS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR $10,712,027 NET ASSETS AT END OF YEAR $10,858,323

12 Where We Help Walter Reed National Military Medical Center - Bethesda, MD Also know as (WRNMMCB), this hospital consolidated National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in November This hospital is where wounded, ill and injured service members enter the military medical system when they return from global conflicts. They are stabilized, evaluated, and then, depending on their type of injury, are retained or transferred to another hospital. WRNNMCB specializes in trauma surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and oral/facial surgery. In addition, they have a rehabilitation department that is considered one of the best in the nation. San Antonio Military Medical Center - San Antonio, TX Also known as SAMMC (Sam- see), this hospital is a 450 bed health care facility, located in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. It has an Amputee Care Center that is focused on surgical management, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. The hospital has 40 beds dedicated to the Institute of Surgical Research Burn Unit. Many that are assisted by SFF go through SAMMC as burn or amputee patients. It is one of the busiest hospitals for us. Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune - Jacksonville, NC Camp Lejeune treats mostly those who have non- serious injuries, usually shrapnel wounds from IED s and broken bones. They also receive warriors who are recovering from serious injuries that required surgeries at other hospitals. Most hospital stays are limited, after which they are transferred to the Wounded Warrior Barracks. Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) - San Diego, CA Known locally as Balboa, NMCSD treats combat casualties with gunshot wounds, blast and vehicle accident injuries, as well as those hurt while training. Injured Marines requiring long-term physical rehabilitation recuperate in a MedHold barracks here. Balboa has an Inpatient Mental Health Unit, a Pain Management Clinic, a Defense & Veterans Brain Injury Center, a Combat Casualty Care Center for Amputees, and numerous medical specialists. Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton - Oceanside, CA The majority of treatment at NHCP is for orthopedic, soft tissue, extremity, ophthalmic (eye), and other injuries that do not require long- term care. Marines may have multiple surgeries in their Same Day Surgery Clinic or may be seen regularly as outpatients in the Orthopedic and Surgery Clinics and in the Physical Therapy Department. Patients can come directly from Germany or they may come from other U.S. military treatment facilities. Landstuhl Regional Medical Center - Landstuhl, Germany Also know as LRMC, this military hospital is the largest outside of the continental United States. A robust specialty care medical service center, LRMC services wounded service members from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as military personnel stationed in Germany and their families. Here, wounded service members are quickly assessed, treated, and stabilized before they can be transported back to the Continental United States for further recovery and rehabilitation. VA Hospitals The VA Hospital system has responded to the specialized needs of our recent combat casualties who have multiple and severe injures by establishing Polytrauma Programs in Palo Alto, CA; Richmond, VA; Minneapolis, MN; and Tampa, FL. Of the service members who sustain multiple severe injuries, approximately 60% also have some degree of traumatic brain injury. The SFF also works with other VA Hospitals across the country that provide care for the ongoing medical needs of the injured after being discharged from their primary hospital.

13 FY2012 Board of Directors Executive Board Members Karen Guenther President Founder and CEO President: May April 2005 Joined the Board in May 2004 Annette Conway Vice Chairman: July present Former First Lady of the United States Marine Corps Joined the Board in May 2006 General Alfred Gray, USMC (Ret) Chairman: April present 29th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps Senior Fellow and Board of Regents of the Potomac Institute Joined the Board in September 2004 Wendy Lethin Secretary: May August 2006, May present Joined the Board in May 2004 Robert M. Bowlin Treasurer: May present Chairman, Sony Music International, Retired Joined the Board in May 2009 General Board Members Bonnie Amos First Lady of the United States Marine Corps Joined the Board in November 2009 John Dowd, Esq. Partner - Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld Board Member: May April 2012 E.J. (Kim) Foley III Chief Executive Officer, Foley Incorporated Joined the Board in August 2010 Major General Tom Jones, USMC (Ret) Founder, Outdoor Odyssey Board Member: May April 2012 Colonel Michael E. Lowe, USMC (Ret) Chairman of the SFF Investment Committee Joined the Board in May 2008 Major General J. Michael Myatt, USMC (Ret) President & CEO Marines Memorial Association Joined the Board in July 2004 Lieutenant General John F. Sattler, USMC (Ret) Joined the Board in April 2012 Dr. James Wright President, Dartmouth College, Joined the Board in January 2010 Sergeant Major Carlton W. Kent, USMC (Ret) 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Joined the Board in April 2012

14 FY2012 Board Members Honorary Board Members General James T. Conway, USMC (Ret) 34th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps John Dowd, Esquire Board Member Emeritus Lieutenant General Wallace Gregson, USMC (Ret) Assistant Secretary of Defense Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Rear Admiral Richard Jeffries, USN (Ret) Former Medical Officer of the United States Marine Corps David J. McIntyre President and CEO, Tri-West Healthcare Alliance Peter Murphy, Esquire Board Member Emeritus General Peter Pace, USMC (Ret) 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lynne Pace Barbara Woodbury President and Trustee of the Navy and Marine Association Major General Tom Jones, USMC (Ret) Board Member Emeritus Advisory Board Sarah Dalke Jim Dickerson Jim Doyle IBM Sandy Hejlik Jack McCoy Discover Anthony J. McIntyre The McIntyre Group Lieutenant General Greg Newbold, USMC (Ret) Sergeant Major Gene Overstreet, USMC (Ret) 12th Sergeant Major of the United States Marine Corps NCOA President and CEO John Roediger Managing Director Montgomery Co. Nancy Walker Sergeant Major Juan D. Williams, USMC (Ret)

15 FY2012 Supporting Staff Senior Management Staff Karen Guenther Wendy Lethin Susan Rocco Sondria Saylor Kirt Rebello Wendy Lethin Founder, President & CEO May Present Senior Director of Community Outreach May Present Senior Director Eastern Region Case Management January Present Senior Director Western Region Case Management January Present Director of Donor Development April March 2012 Director of Donor Development March Present Pro-Bono Support Team Allan J. Weiner, Lawyer Collier Shannon Scott, PLLC 3050 K Street, NW Suite 400 Washington, DC John S. Kyle, Lawyer (CA) Cooley Godward LLP 4401 Eastgate Mall San Diego, CA Holidae Hayes, Sr Vice President - Investments UBS Financial Services Inc K St. NW Suite 1100 Washington, DC Daniel Gutierrez, Lawyer (CA) Cooley Godward LLP 4401 Eastgate Mall San Diego, CA