Stronger Families

What Stronger Families does

Stronger Families is a Bellevue, Washington-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1988 that delivers relationship-skills programming to military, veteran, and first responder families. The organization addresses elevated divorce rates (reported up to 72% in some first responder departments), PTSD affecting an estimated 50% of the nation's heroes, and family instability stemming from deployments and shift work. It serves beneficiaries through a hybrid delivery model spanning 45 states, 11 countries, and 76 military installations, reaching 14,380 beneficiaries in 2024 and 105,000+ lifetime. The organization holds Pentagon Approved status and First Responder Leadership Endorsement, which are key credibility markers in its target communities.

The core product platform is the OXYGEN Program, a relationship-skills curriculum launched in 2011 that has since produced 2,341 events and a network of 1,452 certified facilitators. The portfolio includes couple retreats (weekend immersive experiences), 90-minute wellness trainings covering topics such as Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Bridging The Gap, an OXYGEN Profile Assessment, a Wellness Certification that enables partner agencies to self-deliver training, and online resources. Delivery is asset-light: in-person via certified facilitators and retreat settings, with virtual training options available. Notable distribution partners include the Seattle Seahawks and USAA (NFL Salute to Service), and first responder agencies across the Pacific Northwest (Seattle PD, Bellevue Fire, Kirkland PD/Lake Forest Park PD/Renton PD, Seattle Fire, Kirkland Fire, Redmond Fire, Mercer Island Fire, Valley Regional Fire Authority).

The revenue model is donation-driven and event-based. Income streams include individual donations via give.strongerfamilies.com, signature fundraising events (Hope for Heroes Gala, Business Leaders Lunch), multi-tier corporate event sponsorships (Elite, Platinum, Gold, Silver, In-Kind), and employee giving campaigns with corporate match programs (Trident Seafoods as the flagship example, raising $49k with up to $10k matching). No programmatic pricing is publicly disclosed, consistent with the nonprofit's grant-funded service delivery model. Leadership includes Edward Sumner (Vice President / Managing Director) and Noel Meador (Executive Director), with Nick Bickley heading training program management.

Name

Stronger Families

Legal name

Stronger Families

Website

https://strongerfamilies.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stronger Families is a Bellevue, WA-based nonprofit founded in 1988 that delivers relationship-skills programming, including the OXYGEN Program, couple retreats, and wellness trainings, to military, veteran, and first responder families across 45 states and 11 countries, funded primarily through donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Family Relationship Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Parenting Education (Family Literacy, Parenting Skills) (EDAAAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parent Mental Health, Stress Management & Wellness Programs (EDACALAJ), Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF)

Keywords

• Relationship skills training
• Military family support
• First responder wellness
• Couple retreats
• Nonprofit family services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bellevue

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donors contribute to support the organization's programs and services for military and first responder families.
2. Fundraising Events: Annual signature events including Hope for Heroes Gala (Seattle area) and Business Leader's Lunch (Seattle area) with sponsorship opportunities.
3. Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors at various levels (Elite, Platinum, Gold, Silver, In-Kind) sponsor Stronger Families fundraising events with significant brand exposure.
4. Employee Giving Programs: Corporate employee giving campaigns with matching gift programs, such as the partnership with Trident Seafoods who committed to matching gifts up to $10k.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Stronger Families delivers the OXYGEN relationship skills program, including couple retreats, wellness trainings, an online profile assessment, and certified facilitator training, to military, veteran, and first responder families. Programming is funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, employee giving campaigns, and signature fundraising events rather than paid enrollment. The organization maintains a network of 1,452 certified facilitators delivering services across 76 military installations and numerous first responder departments.

Product overview

Stronger Families is a nonprofit organization offering relationship skills programs primarily to military, veteran, and first responder families. The organization operates the OXYGEN Program as its central platform, which includes couple retreats, wellness trainings, profile assessments, and a certified facilitator network. The core OXYGEN Program provides structured relationship education, while the First Responder Couple Retreat offers immersive weekend experiences. Additional offerings include 90-minute wellness training sessions, online resources, and certification programs for agencies to deliver internal training. All programs are designed to help families strengthen relationships and thrive despite the unique challenges of military and first responder life.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OXYGEN: A program focused on providing life-changing relationship skills to military, veteran, and first responder families through retreats, trainings, and certifications.

Products and services

• OXYGEN Program The core relationship skills program offering events, profile assessments, and certified facilitator training for military and first responder families to strengthen relationships.
• First Responder Couple Retreat Weekend retreats designed for First Responder couples to receive life-changing relationship skills, providing tools and opportunities for couples to connect, laugh, learn, and become empowered to better navigate their relationships.
• First Responder Wellness Trainings 90-minute training sessions available live in-person or virtually, covering topics such as Bridging The Gap, Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Leading From Your Strengths.
• Wellness Certification Certification training for agency personnel to deliver Wellness Trainings at their department's discretion, covering various topics to enable internal training delivery.
• OXYGEN Profile Assessment An online assessment tool as part of the OXYGEN Program that helps individuals understand their relationship patterns and strengths.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 105,000+ heroes served since inception
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Seattle SeahawksflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025The Seattle Seahawks partner with Stronger Families for NFL Salute to Service initiative, with 12% of official merchandise sales during November benefiting the nonprofit. This partnership provides significant visibility and donations for the organization.
• USAAflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025USAA presents the NFL Salute to Service initiative in partnership with Seattle Seahawks and Stronger Families, supporting military and veteran families through the program.
• Seattle Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization receiving Stronger Families wellness trainings and program services for officers and their families.
• Bellevue Fire DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner department receiving wellness trainings and couple retreat services for firefighters and their families.
• Lake Forest Park Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner department receiving Stronger Families programs including wellness trainings and retreats.
• Kirkland Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner department receiving Stronger Families wellness trainings and family support services.
• Trident SeafoodscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that started the Employee Giving program in 2021, committing to match gifts up to $10k. Their team raised $49k for Stronger Families.
• Seattle Fire DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner department receiving wellness trainings and couple retreat programs for firefighters and their families.
• Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner fire authority receiving Stronger Families wellness training and retreat services.
• Redmond Fire DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner department receiving Stronger Families wellness programs for firefighters.
• Mercer Island Fire DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner department receiving wellness trainings and family support services.
• Kirkland Fire DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner department receiving Stronger Families wellness training services.
• Renton Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner department receiving wellness trainings and family support programs.
• Navy Federal Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver level donor supporting Stronger Families through charitable contributions.
• T-MobileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver level corporate donor supporting Stronger Families programs.
• Northwestern MutualminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver level donor supporting Stronger Families mission.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Blue Star Families: National nonprofit supporting military families through programming, research, and advocacy. Direct peer because both organizations deliver family support services to active-duty and veteran communities.
• National Military Family Association: Long-standing military family support nonprofit offering programs and resources to spouses, children, and parents of service members. Comparable because both focus on family resilience and well-being within the military community.
• Gary Sinise Foundation: Foundation serving military service members, veterans, and first responders through entertainment, family support, and wellness programs. Comparable due to a shared beneficiary base across military and first responder communities.
• Military Family Advisory Network: Nonprofit connecting military families to resources and advocating for family-quality-of-life issues. Comparable because both organizations operate programs and serve the military family demographic.
• Code 3 Foundation: Nonprofit supporting first responders and their families through grants, retreats, and wellness programs. Comparable due to shared mission of family wellness within the first responder community.
• First Responders Children's Foundation: Nonprofit providing scholarships, grants, and family support for children of first responders. Comparable because both serve first responder families, though the focus is on children rather than couples and relationships.
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): Nonprofit providing bereavement support to military families who have lost a loved one. Comparable because both serve military families with intensive family-support services during periods of acute stress.
• Bob Woodruff Foundation: Foundation supporting post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families through program grants and direct services. Comparable because both address family well-being and resilience for military-affiliated populations.

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: Large, well-established nonprofit serving post-9/11 wounded veterans with physical and mental health programs including family support. Comparable because both serve trauma-affected service members and their families, though WWP operates at much larger scale.

Emerging players

• Spirit of Blue Foundation: Foundation supporting law enforcement through safety equipment grants and family programs. Comparable because both serve law enforcement families, though Spirit of Blue emphasizes officer safety equipment over relationship wellness.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/strongerfam
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/strongerfamilies

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Stronger Families