Veterans Foundation, Inc.  ★  Est. 1980

The American
Veteran Awards

A salute to courage, sacrifice, and service — the premier evening honoring the men and women who answered our nation's call.

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Our Mission

Nearly Half a Century
of Service

Honoring those who have honored us — with dignity, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the American servicemember.

Veterans Foundation Inc. (VFI) has been serving our nation's veterans and active-duty servicemembers for nearly half a century. We have always been a leader in providing innovative and groundbreaking solutions to the variety of issues that involve our veterans, active duty military, their spouses and families.

Dating to the early 1980s, VFI has been intimately involved in the research and development of projects involving Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, homelessness, nutrition, employment, and raising awareness about the mission and accomplishments of the United States military.

From mobile community care programs to nationwide parades welcoming home our Vietnam veterans, our work has always been guided by a single, abiding principle: those who served deserve our nation's full measure of gratitude.

Chuck Norris with General James Jones at the American Veteran Awards
45+
Years of Service
100M+
Households Reached
10+
Years on the History Channel
★★★★★
DoD Sanctioned Gathering
The Marquee Event

The American Veteran
Awards Show

The American Veteran Awards stage with audience and color guard
A Decade on the Marquee

The Pre-eminent Tribute to Those Who Served

For over a decade, the American Veteran Awards Show was the pre-eminent entertainment event honoring our country's active-duty servicemembers, veterans, National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses and families.

As a Department of Defense sanctioned "widely attended gathering," the show became one of the most popular destination events for the highest-ranking members of our government and military — and the crème of Hollywood — to show their patriotism in a simple and very public way.

  • The History Channel
  • The Pentagon Channel
  • Armed Forces TV
  • The VA Knowledge Network
  • Time Warner Cable
  • Discovery's Military Channel
Recognition

The Highest Honor

"The American Veteran Awards Show was accorded the Department of Veterans Affairs' highest civilian honor — along with a slew of other prestigious designations."
The Secretary's Award
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The Foundation

Veterans Foundation, Inc.

A non-political, non-membership, non-profit organization operating exclusively for charitable purposes.

Organization Details

State of IncorporationCalifornia
Corporate / Organization #CO993792
State Charity Registration #43036
Date of IRS RulingOctober 1995

Leadership

Corporate Officers · President & CEO
George Francisco
Board of Directors · Chairman
George Francisco
Board Member
Dr. Michele Linden-Shaw
Board Member
Col. Chris Riga (Ret.)
Our Legacy

History & Accomplishments

A record of consequential, life-changing work for those who wore the uniform.

Pioneering PTSD Research

Funded research into the use of PTSD as a legal defense in criminal cases and extended its expertise to Russian researchers making the first attempts to diagnose their own veterans returning from Afghanistan.

Mobile Community Care

Created mobile community care programs targeting the children and families of veterans who had no access to proper medical care, housing, or social services.

Homeless Veteran Initiative

Designed and implemented, with the Department of Veterans Affairs, one-stop events for homeless veterans seeking social services, counseling, government assistance, and housing.

Workforce & Career Programs

Raised funds for job-training programs and developed initiatives providing business attire for veterans completing rehabilitative training as they sought full-time employment.

Welcome Home Parades

Provided fundraising and consulting for New York City and Chicago's first-ever "Welcome Home Veterans" parades, and produced Los Angeles' "Thank You Veterans" tribute — honoring those who served in Vietnam.

The Travelling Memorial

Produced the first-ever tribute in Santa Monica's Pacific Park hosted by the late Johnny Grant, the high school ceremony at Beverly Hills High hosted by Larry King, and the unveiling at Venice Beach.

Take AIM Curriculum

Created the "Take AIM" national curriculum supplement in partnership with The History Channel, educating elementary school students on the history of our armed forces.

White House PSA Series

Produced PSAs for First Lady Laura Bush promoting South American literacy and her "Troops To Teachers" initiative.

Mobile Diner Outreach

Collaborated with Denny's Restaurants and LA's Village For Vets to deliver free breakfast through Denny's Mobile Diner.

POW/MIA Mural Restoration

Spearheaded fundraising and restoration efforts for the Venice Beach "POW/MIA Mural Wall" that was tragically vandalized on Memorial Day 2010.

Stand With Those Who Served

Join us in honoring the courage, sacrifice, and service of the American veteran. Every contribution carries us further in our mission.

Contact the Foundation