McLean, Virginia – Two of the country’s premier nonprofit databases have awarded top ratings to Our Military Kids, adding to the list of honors the nonprofit has received this year for transparency and accountability.
GuideStar has given its 2018 Platinum Seal of Transparency to Our Military Kids. A search engine that collects and presents information about nonprofits, GuideStar was founded to promote nonprofit transparency for donors. The awards go from Bronze, Silver, Gold and finally, to Platinum.
The other database, GreatNonprofits, refers to itself as “the one and only people’s choice award,” because volunteers, donors and people served by nonprofits are asked to share stories of inspiration and express their appreciation on its website. With its most recent Top-Rated Award from GreatNonprofits, Our Military Kids holds the #5 spot overall, based on 507 five–star reviews from clients, volunteers and donors.
Earlier this month, Charity Navigator also awarded its highest 4-star rating to Our Military Kids. It’s the third year in a row (and the sixth time overall) that Charity Navigator has awarded its top rating to Our Military Kids. Angela Burton, Executive Director of Our Military Kids, said she was grateful for the recognition. “Our program is possible because of the generous support of our donors,” Burton said. “And these ratings tell our supporters that their donations are directly helping military kids.”
Last year, Our Military Kids received slightly more than $2 million in donations, and 92% of those donations were spent directly on children’s programs. As a result, 3,767 grants were awarded to military kids last year, with sports and arts activities the most popular choices. In the most recent survey of families who received grants for activities, almost all respondents said the grants improved the entire family’s well-being, as well as decreased their child’s stress and anxiety.
Our Military Kids, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit providing substantial support to children of deployed National Guard and Military Reserve service members and to children of severely injured service members and veterans from all active and reserve military branches. For more information, visit www.ourmilitarykids.org or call Gretchen Hitchner at 703-734-6654.
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McLean, Virginia – A month-long coupon drive at 180 KFC stores will benefit children of deployed National Guard and Reserve families, as well as children of severely injured service members and veterans of all branches. The fundraiser by KBP Foods, the largest KFC franchise in the U.S., is part of a longstanding partnership that has provided funding for thousands of military kids to join an extracurricular activity.
This year’s coupon drive began Feb. 26 and will run through March 31 at KBP-owned KFC stores in Texas, Virginia, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, Virginia and North Carolina. The coupon book sells for $1 each (more than $40 in savings) and all proceeds in these markets will benefit Our Military Kids.
“We are so honored to be selected as a partner with KBP foods,” said Angela Burton, Executive Director at Our Military Kids. “Their incredible support means that kids across the country will have access to rewarding and engaging activities while their parents are deployed.”
“Our Military Kids is an incredible organization that makes a meaningful difference in the communities it serves,” said Matt Hansen, Chief Operating Officer at KBP Foods. “It is our privilege to support Our Military Kids in their mission to help children of deployed and severely injured Service Members and Veterans.”
Launched in 2004, Our Military Kids was started as a way to thank families of Guard and Reserve personnel who endured lengthy and repeated deployments. In 2008, the group expanded to include children of severely injured service members. Our Military Kids has provided almost 60,000 grants to children across the United States. In a recent survey of families who received the grants, 94% said they saw a decrease in the child’s stress and anxiety and 98% saw improvement in the entire family’s well-being. Our Military Kids provides eligible children up to $500 per grant for each deployment lasting at least 180 days. For more information, visit the website at www.ourmilitarykids.org.
About KBP Foods
KBP Foods, headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., has been named one of the 10 Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chains and one of the Top 100 Fastest-Growing Businesses in North America. Currently, KBP Foods operates more than 560 KFC and Taco Bell restaurants across 21 states.
About Our Military Kids
Our Military Kids, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit providing substantial support to children of deployed National Guard and Military Reserve service members and to children of wounded warriors from all active and reserve military branches. For more information, visit www.ourmilitarykids.org or call Gretchen Hitchner at 703-734-6654.
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McLean, Virginia – A charity flag football game in its fiftieth year has selected Our Military Kids as its newest beneficiary. The event features celebrities, elected officials and football stars in a spirited, fun-filled flag football game at Old Dominion University. Dating back to 1968, the game began as a Thanksgiving match-up by former high school and college football players and has a longstanding tradition of raising money for children. Known as the Annual Priority Toyota Charity Bowl, the event raised close to $350,000 for children’s charities in the Hampton Roads area last year.
Our Military Kids supports children of deployed National Guard and Reserve service members and children of wounded warriors from all service branches by paying for participation in activities that help kids cope with stress and anxiety while their parents are recovering or absent. Founded in 2004, Our Military Kids was started as a way to say thank you to families of Guard and Reserve personnel who endured lengthy and repeated deployments. In 2008, the group expanded to include children of severely injured service members. Our Military Kids has provided almost 60,000 grants to children throughout the United States. Shifting their focus to something positive like an extra-curricular activity is a welcome distraction and helps to lower their level of stress, making them more resilient.
Donations from the Priority Toyota Charity Bowl will benefit the children in the Hampton Roads area whose parents are deployed or recovering from combat-related injuries. “We are so grateful to the Priority Toyota Charity Bowl for including us in this year’s game,” said Angela Burton, Executive Director of Our Military Kids. “Our program makes a big difference for kids who are going through a tough time — and this support from the Charity Bowl will mean a lot to our families,” Burton said.
The game will take place on Saturday, April 14th at 4:30 p.m. at the S.B. Ballard Stadium at Foreman Field at Old Dominion University. Other weekend events include a 5K race and a concert by Grammy nominee Joe Nichols. A full schedule is available on the website at www.prioritycharitybowl.com.
Our Military Kids, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit providing substantial support to children of deployed National Guard and Military Reserve service members and to children of wounded warriors from all active and reserve military branches. For more information, visit www.ourmilitarykids.org or call Gretchen Hitchner at (703) 734-6654.
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Charity Navigator Awards OMK with Highest 4-Star Rating
McLean, Virginia – The country’s largest charity evaluator has once again given its coveted 4-star rating to Our Military Kids. It’s the third year in a row (and the sixth time overall) that Charity Navigator has awarded its top rating to Our Military Kids.
In a letter announcing the rating, Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator, wrote, “This is our highest possible rating and indicates that your organization adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way.”
Thatcher added, “Only 21% of the charities we evaluate have received at least 3 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Our Military Kids outperforms most other charities in America.”
Charity Navigator plays a critical role in helping donors understand the financial integrity of a nonprofit. The organization helps guide intelligent giving by evaluating the financial health, accountability and transparency of more than 8,000 charities.
“This rating tells our supporters that we’re using their donations in the most expedient way possible,” said Linda Davidson, founder of Our Military Kids. “The military families we serve have made incredible sacrifices and we’re committed to ensuring that every dollar counts when we honor them.”
Last year, Our Military Kids received slightly more than $2 million in donations, and 92% of those donations were spent directly on children’s programs. In the most recent survey of families who received grants for activities, almost all respondents said the grants improved the entire family’s well-being, as well as decreased their child’s stress and anxiety.
Our Military Kids, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit providing substantial support to children of deployed National Guard and Military Reserve service members and to children of severely injured service members and veterans from all active and reserve military branches. For more information, visit www.ourmilitarykids.org or call Gretchen Hitchner at 703-734-6654.
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