What Invisible Wounds Foundation does

Invisible Wounds Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2022 by Shannon Finn Connell, Ph.D., a Navy SEAL parent, to accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) among U.S. military service members and veterans, with a particular focus on Special Operations Forces exposed to blast-related injury. The foundation operates from a Chicago headquarters at 820 W. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 210, and runs on a small team of 1–10 staff led by Connell as CEO and Board Chair. Its centerpiece initiative, the Military Brain Health Collaborative (MBHC), is described as the first national public-private collaborative dedicated to blast-related brain injury, coordinated through an MBHC Working Group of multidisciplinary experts and a Medical and Science Advisory Council that includes former NINDS director Dr. Walter Koroshetz, founding NICoE director Dr. James Kelly, Harvard/Mass General neurologist Dr. Brian Edlow, and author of the landmark RAND "Invisible Wounds of War" report Dr. Terri Tanielian. The foundation has no proprietary technology platform; its deliverables are research roadmaps, funded research programs, peer-review frameworks, and convening outputs rather than software or commercial products. Revenue is generated exclusively through charitable donations processed via the Givebutter platform and institutional grants — most notably a $500,000 grant from the DAV Charitable Service Trust received in June 2026. Go-to-market activity is event-driven, anchored by an annual Golf Invitational, webinars with partner organizations such as DAV, and congressional advocacy campaigns supporting three named legislative acts targeting federal TBI research funding.

Name

Invisible Wounds Foundation

Legal name

Invisible Wounds Foundation

Website

https://invisiblewounds.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Invisible Wounds Foundation is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that coordinates research on blast-related traumatic brain injury among U.S. military service members and veterans, with particular focus on Special Operations Forces, through its Military Brain Health Collaborative.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Defense and Veteran Health Research

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA), Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance) (EDAEALAO)

Keywords

• Military brain research
• Veteran health advocacy
• Traumatic brain injury
• Nonprofit research foundation
• Public health collaboration

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation accepts donations from individuals, corporations, and charitable organizations to fund its mission of advancing military brain injury research. Donations are processed through Givebutter platform.
2. Grant Funding: The foundation receives grants from charitable organizations such as the DAV Charitable Service Trust ($500,000 grant received June 2026) to fund the Military Brain Health Collaborative and research programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Invisible Wounds Foundation operates the Military Brain Health Collaborative (MBHC), the first national public-private initiative dedicated to accelerating research on blast-related brain injuries affecting U.S. military service members, veterans, and especially Special Operations Forces. The foundation functions as a research coordination and advocacy hub rather than a product vendor: it brings together researchers, clinicians, government agencies, policymakers, and funders, develops a strategic research roadmap through its MBHC Working Group, and channels donated funds into peer-reviewed scientific programs under the guidance of a Medical and Science Advisory Council composed of nationally recognized TBI experts. It does not sell products, licenses, or commercial services; its outputs are funded research, convening events, advocacy, and public awareness.

Product overview

The Invisible Wounds Foundation operates as a research coordinating organization rather than a product company. Its core offering is the Military Brain Health Collaborative (MBHC), a national hub that brings together researchers, clinicians, government agencies, policymakers, and funders to accelerate research on military brain injury. The MBHC is supported by an MBHC Working Group of multidisciplinary experts and guided by a Medical and Science Advisory Council. The foundation does not develop commercial products but rather funds, coordinates, and drives rigorous, data-driven research programs aimed at prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of blast-related brain injuries among service members and veterans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Military Brain Health Collaborative (MBHC) The first national public-private initiative operated by the foundation to accelerate research on blast-related brain injuries affecting U.S. military service members, veterans, and especially Special Operations Forces; coordinates researchers, clinicians, government agencies, policymakers, and funders, and funds peer-reviewed scientific programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• No FDA-approved diagnostic method currently exists for military brain injury
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• DAV (Disabled American Veterans)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAV and Invisible Wounds Foundation formed a strategic partnership for advocacy and research collaboration. Joint activities include hosting live conversations on military brain injury with medical experts, publishing joint op-eds in Real Clear Defense calling on Congress to act, and partnership to connect leading science directly to veterans and families.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• DAV (Disabled American Veterans): The largest U.S. veterans service organization and the foundation's core strategic partner and grantmaker. Directly comparable as a national-scale nonprofit serving veterans with disabilities, including TBI-related advocacy and benefits support.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Large, well-funded national nonprofit serving post-9/11 veterans with physical and invisible injuries, including TBI. Comparable in mission scope (veteran brain health/wellbeing), donor base, and advocacy orientation.
• Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine: Major nonprofit that administers military medical research funding across TBI, PTSD, and related areas. Comparable as a coordinating/fund-administrating entity linking DoD, academic researchers, and donors in military medicine.
• Cohen Veterans Network: National nonprofit network delivering mental health care (including TBI-related services) to post-9/11 veterans and families. Comparable in combining clinical service delivery, research interest, and advocacy on invisible injuries.
• Brain Injury Association of America: National advocacy and resource organization for civilians and veterans with brain injury. Comparable as a national coordinating body promoting TBI research, awareness, and policy change — though civilian-focused rather than military-specific.

Direct peers

• Bob Woodruff Foundation: Veteran-focused foundation specifically funding research and care for veterans with traumatic brain injuries and traumatic stress. Closest direct peer in combining TBI-focused grantmaking, research advocacy, and veteran family support.
• Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund: Funded the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) and other Intrepid Spirit Centers providing TBI and psychological health care for service members. Comparable in TBI-specific military research and clinical infrastructure investment.
• Marcus Institute for Brain Health: Clinic and research center dedicated to treating military veterans with TBI and PTSD, founded by the foundation's Chief Medical Scientist (Dr. James Kelly). Directly comparable in focusing on TBI care and research for Special Operations and other service members.
• Travis Mills Foundation: Veteran-focused nonprofit supporting recalibrated wounded veterans and their families through programming and retreats. Comparable in mission alignment with severely injured post-9/11 service members and family-centered support.

Others

• RAND Corporation: Research institution whose landmark 'Invisible Wounds of War' report (authored by the foundation's advisor Terri Tanielian) shaped the field the foundation operates in. Comparable as a producer of TBI/preventive-health evidence used by policymakers and funders.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/invwoundsfndn

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Invisible Wounds Foundation