Operation First Response

What Operation First Response does

Operation First Response (OFR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2004 by Peggy Baker and headquartered in Culpeper, Virginia, delivering emergency financial assistance and in-kind support to Active-Duty U.S. Service Members, combat veterans, active-duty first responders, and Gold Star families during medical, financial, or recovery crises. Core programs include the Family Assistance Program (rent, utilities, vehicle payments, groceries, medical travel), the OFR Backpacks and Hygiene Bag programs shipped to combat support hospitals and veteran shelters, the Last Mission Project for inpatient PTSD treatment support, the Final Salute Project (over 890 hand-painted portraits of Fallen Heroes by artist Kaziah Hancock), Project Specialized Training (no-cost industry certifications for veterans), and smaller initiatives such as Cot Quilts, the Random Act of Kindness Initiative, and Gift of Recovery. The organization does not build a technology platform; service delivery is manual and relationship-driven through partnerships with military hospitals, veteran shelters, food pantries, and first responder agencies.

The business model is donor-funded rather than revenue-generating. Funding sources comprise individual donations processed through Square and credit card, vehicle and stock donations, a six-tier corporate sponsorship program (Bronze $1,000-$4,999 through Medal of Honor $100,000+), annual event fundraising (Walk for the Wounded, 5K/10K races run with Bishops Events), retail round-up partnerships (Hy-Vee Homefront with up to $100,000 Veterans Day matching), and community volunteer programs (Fairfax Presbyterian Church hygiene kit packing). Pricing for events is modest and pay-as-you-go (5K $30-$35, 10K $45-$50). The organization claims that over 95% of every donated dollar reaches program services, supported operationally by a lean 1-10 person team working out of the founder's home.

Operationally, OFR has cumulatively raised over $11 million since inception, served 25,419 individuals from 2004 through 2021, and operates nationally across the United States with no disclosed geographic expansion outside the country. Key recognition includes a Charity Navigator Four-Star Rating, Best in America certification, and Combined Federal Campaign partner status. Major corporate sponsors disclosed include Exelon/PECO at the Medal of Honor tier, alongside referral relationships with GWOT Compensation and a co-marketing partnership with the Carolina Tigers Women's Tackle Football Team. The entity is governed by a Board of Directors; no parent company, subsidiaries, funding rounds, or M&A activity are present.

Name

Operation First Response

Legal name

Operation First Response, Inc.

Website

https://operationfirstresponse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Operation First Response is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides emergency financial assistance, in-kind support (backpacks, hygiene kits, portraits), and recovery programs to wounded Active-Duty Service Members, veterans, first responders, and Gold Star families across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran and Military Family Support Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

MHPSS & Trauma-Informed Support for Displaced Populations (BPADAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Evacuation, Shelter, Mass Care & Family Reunification (HLAJAGAG)

Keywords

• Emergency financial assistance
• Veteran support services
• Military family assistance
• First responder aid
• Nonprofit charitable programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Culpeper

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through online portals (Square), credit card donations, cash, checks, and vehicle donations. Donors can make one-time or recurring contributions.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor at multiple tiers (Medal of Honor $100,000+, Purple Heart $50,000-$99,999, Platinum $25,000-$49,999, Gold $10,000-$24,999, Silver $5,000-$9,999, Bronze $1,000-$4,999) with varying levels of recognition and visibility.
3. Event Fundraising: Annual events including Walk for the Wounded, 5K/10K runs, and virtual walks generate significant donations. The Delaware County Walk for the Wounded has raised over $2.5 million in 11 years.
4. Partnership Programs: Partnerships with retailers like Hy-Vee Homefront Round Up allow customers to round up grocery bills with proceeds going to OFR, including company matching up to $100,000 during Veterans Day period.
5. Vehicle and Stock Donations: Vehicle donation program accepts running or non-running vehicles with free pickup. Stock donations allow full market value deduction without capital gains tax.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Operation First Response is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides emergency financial assistance (rent, utilities, vehicle payments, groceries, clothing, medical travel) to wounded Active-Duty Service Members, Veterans, First Responders, Gold Star Families, and their immediate families. It supplements this assistance with tangible support programs including OFR Backpacks and hygiene kits delivered to combat support hospitals and shelters, the Last Mission Project for PTSD inpatient treatment, Operation Final Salute hand-painted portraits of Fallen Heroes, Project Specialized Training for industry-recognized certifications, Cot Quilts, and the Gift of Recovery program.

Product overview

Operation First Response is a nonprofit organization offering emergency financial assistance and support programs to Active-Duty Service Members, Veterans, First Responders, and their families. The core offerings include the Family Assistance Program providing direct financial support, OFR Backpacks with essential items and hygiene kits for wounded warriors, The Last Mission Project for PTSD support, Operation Final Salute portraits for fallen heroes, Project Specialized Training for certifications, and various fundraising events including Walk for the Wounded and 5K/10K runs. The organization operates primarily as a charitable nonprofit without a technology product platform; all programs are delivered directly to beneficiaries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Family Assistance Program Emergency financial assistance program serving Active-Duty Service Members, Veterans, Active-Duty First Responders, and Gold Star Families during times of crisis, covering rent, utilities, vehicle payments, groceries, clothing, and medical travel expenses.
• The Last Mission Project PTSD support program assisting Veterans and First Responders during approved inpatient treatment and recovery programs, alleviating financial stress to allow focus on healing.
• OFR Backpacks Backpacks containing essential items sent to combat support hospitals in theater for wounded service members who arrive with no personal belongings.
• OFR Hygiene Bag Program Travel-size personal care kits distributed to Veterans, Active-Duty Service Members, and First Responders facing hardship through Veteran shelters and community food pantries.
• Cot Quilts Handmade blankets and quilts provided to wounded service members, with smaller sizes included in backpacks and larger sizes delivered to military medical facilities.
• Operation Final Salute Project Program providing hand-painted 18x24 framed oil portraits of Fallen Heroes painted by artist Kaziah Hancock to families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
• Project Specialized Training Program providing industry-recognized certifications at no cost to Veterans to support their transition and career development.
• Gift of Recovery Recovery program support for Heroes seeking healing and treatment.
• Random Act of Kindness Initiative Initiative providing spontaneous support and assistance to Heroes and their families.
• Operation First Response 5K and 10K Running Events Annual running events including 5K and 10K races organized by Bishops Events to raise funds for the organization.
• Walk for the Wounded Annual fundraising walk events held in various locations (Media, PA and Ocean City, NJ) to raise awareness and funds for the organization. The Delaware County Walk for the Wounded has raised over $2.5 million in 11 years.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25,419 individuals served since 2004
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GWOT CompensationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to help connect Veterans and their families with information regarding potential compensation opportunities through the Global War on Terror Compensation program. OFR serves as a referral partner helping veterans access benefits they may qualify for.
• Carolina Tigers Women's Tackle Football TeamcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership bringing together women athletes and America's Heroes to create meaningful community-driven impact. Includes Salute to Service games, honoring Veterans & First Responders, community outreach events, co-branded merchandise, and game-day giving opportunities.
• Fairfax Presbyterian ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly volunteer program where church members gather to pack hygiene kits for the OFR Backpacks program. Community partnership supporting supply drives and kit assembly.
• Hy-VeecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHy-Vee Homefront Round Up program allows customers to round up grocery bills to the nearest dollar with proceeds going to support designated Hy-Vee Homefront organizations including OFR. Company matches customer donations during Veterans Day period up to $100,000.
• Bishops EventscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEvent management company organizing the annual Operation First Response 5K and 10K races. Handles race registration, logistics, and coordination.
• Kaziah Hancock (Artist)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenowned artist who paints hand-painted oil portraits of Fallen Heroes (18x24 framed canvases) for the Final Salute Project. OFR has sponsored over 890 portraits honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
• Catalyst MarketingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMarketing firm that maintains the OFR website as a proud partner of the organization.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fisher House Foundation: Provides free temporary housing for military and veteran families near medical facilities, plus emergency funding. Comparable beneficiary population (military families in medical crisis) and emergency support orientation.
• Wounded Warrior Project: The largest U.S. nonprofit serving wounded veterans and their families, providing direct financial assistance, mental health programs, and long-term support. Directly comparable to OFR's mission and beneficiary mix, but at vastly greater scale.
• Gary Sinise Foundation: Serves wounded veterans, first responders, and their families through financial assistance, entertainment, and rehabilitation programs. Direct overlap with OFR's expanded mission to include active-duty first responders.
• Hope For The Warriors: National nonprofit assisting wounded veterans, service members, and their families with financial aid, clinical health, and transition programs. Closest comparable in mission, program mix, and beneficiary segments to OFR.
• Folds of Honor: Provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of military service members and first responders killed or disabled in service. Overlapping beneficiary base with OFR's Gold Star Family and military family programs.
• Soldiers' Angels: Volunteer-based nonprofit supporting deployed service members, wounded warriors, veterans, and their families through care packages, letters, and financial support. Comparable aid delivery model and audience.
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): Provides bereavement care and ongoing support to families of fallen military service members. Strong overlap with OFR's Final Salute Project and Gold Star Families programs.
• Semper Fi & America's Fund: Provides emergency financial assistance and ongoing support to wounded, critically ill, and injured service members, veterans, and families. Closest peer in Family Assistance Program design and beneficiary focus.

Broad incumbents

• Tunnel to Towers Foundation: Supports wounded veterans, first responders, and Gold Star families through mortgage payoffs, smart homes, and direct financial assistance. Directly overlapping target segments, particularly with OFR's first responder expansion.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Large, established veterans service organization providing benefits assistance, transportation, and advocacy to disabled veterans. Broader scope than OFR but overlapping beneficiary base and emergency support need.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=Y877_F8NZ-o
• Xx.com/_OFR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/operation-first-response

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Operation First Response