What Operation Heroes Connect does

Operation Heroes Connect (OPHC) is a 501(c)(3)-implied nonprofit organization founded in 2012 by retired U.S. Marine GySgt Tawanda 'Tee' Marie Hanible. The organization operates a portfolio of veteran-led youth mentorship and community engagement programs that mobilize 300+ veterans across Illinois, Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia to serve at-risk youth ages 9-17. Its core program portfolio includes the dual-track Youth Summer Camps (Boys-to-Men and Girls Empowerment) held at Patuxent Naval Base in Solomon, Maryland; Operation Prom Ready, which serves 250+ young ladies annually across 20+ Virginia high schools; the Northern Virginia Juneteenth Scholarship; the annual 1775 Charity Golf Tournament fundraising event; the 30 Days of Giving community dinner service; the Windy City Toys for Tots Express in Chicago; Operation Ready For Class back-to-school drive; and overseas giveback missions in Jamaica, Ghana, Costa Rica, and South Africa. OPHC reports 12,000+ youth served nationwide to date, with cumulative impact metrics of 22,500+ toys distributed, 7,500+ meals served, and 2,650+ coats distributed.

The organization has a thin, volunteer-heavy operating structure with 1-10 employees led by the founder/CEO alongside an Executive Director of Operations & Security, Executive Director of Finance, Program Director, and regional Community Relations coordinators for DC/MD/VA and Illinois. Its technology footprint is minimal — a Wix-hosted website with a basic e-commerce storefront for book sales, a Givebutter donation page, and Eventbrite for event registration; no proprietary software, mobile app, or API is built or maintained. Distribution is entirely direct-to-beneficiary through program delivery, with no intermediary channels.

OPHC's revenue model is diversified across four streams: charitable donations collected via the Givebutter platform; corporate sponsorships (with named sponsors including Black Girl Sunscreen, CW4K, Leave No Veteran Behind, Steel Resolve, Costco, Vet Tix, Gusto, and others); book sales of 'The Warrior Code' by the founder (standard $25.99, signed $32.00, with 50% of net proceeds to OPHC, recognized by Publisher's Weekly and endorsed by Alyssa Milano and Montel Williams); and fundraising event proceeds (the 1775 Charity Golf Tournament). The summer camp charges a $75 registration fee but is otherwise free for participants ages 9-17. No revenue figures are publicly disclosed, and the organization reports no funding rounds, no parent company, and no external institutional capital.

Name

Operation Heroes Connect

Legal name

Operation Heroes Connect

Website

https://operationheroesconnect.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Operation Heroes Connect is a 2012-founded nonprofit that mobilizes 300+ veterans across Illinois, DC, Maryland, and Virginia to mentor at-risk youth ages 9-17 through summer camps, scholarship programs, holiday drives, and international service missions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran-Led Youth Mentorship Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Disaster Relief & Humanitarian Aid Volunteering (EDAIAGAF), Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs (HLAJAKAE)

Keywords

• Veteran-led youth mentorship
• Nonprofit youth programs
• Veteran transition support
• Community charitable services
• Corporate philanthropy sponsorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Fredericksburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Book Sales - The Warrior Code: Sale of The Warrior Code book authored by founder Tawanda 'Tee' Marie Hanible. Standard copy priced at $25.99, signed copy at $32.00. Fifty percent (50%) of net proceeds from book purchases are contributed to Operation Heroes Connect to support youth and veteran programming.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization accepts donations through Givebutter platform to support all programs including youth camps, scholarships, community outreach, and international giveback initiatives.
3. Sponsorship Programs: Corporate sponsors support the organization's initiatives in exchange for recognition. Sponsors include Black Girl Sunscreen, CW4K, Leave No Veteran Behind, Steel Resolve, Costco, and others.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Operation Heroes Connect is a nonprofit organization that partners volunteer service members and veterans with at-risk youth through a portfolio of programs including veteran-led youth summer camps, Operation Prom Ready, scholarships, holiday community giving, and international giveback missions in Jamaica, Ghana, Costa Rica, and South Africa. The organization also publishes The Warrior Code book by founder Tawanda 'Tee' Marie Hanible, with 50% of net proceeds supporting youth and veteran programming.

Product overview

Operation Heroes Connect is a veteran-led nonprofit organization operating a portfolio of youth mentorship and community engagement programs. The organization functions as a unified program portfolio rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture, with all programs centered on mobilizing veterans to continue serving through structured youth development. Core offerings include Veteran-Led Youth Summer Camps (Boys-to-Men and Girls Empowerment camps), Operation Prom Ready, the Northern Virginia Juneteenth Scholarship, 30 Days of Giving, Windy City Toys For Tots Express, 1775 Charity Golf Tournament, Operation Ready For Class, and the Overseas Giveback international mission program. Additionally, the organization publishes 'The Warrior Code' book by founder Tawanda 'Tee' Marie Hanible, which funds programming through proceeds. The organization also runs a two-week Camp Facilitator Cohort Program for volunteer training. Programs collectively serve 12,000+ youth nationwide and mobilize 300+ veterans across Illinois, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth Summer Camps (Boys-to-Men & Girls Empowerment) Veteran-led summer enrichment programs for youth ages 9-17, including separate Boys-to-Men and Girls Empowerment camps running concurrently at Patuxent Naval Base, MD. Programs deliver leadership development, STEM exposure, mentorship, structured discipline, and character-building activities through a 6-day immersive camp experience with veterans serving as counselors and facilitators. Free for campers with a $75 registration fee per camper; transportation provided for DC/Northern VA residents.
• Operation Prom Ready Annual initiative providing prom gowns, accessories, and mentorship support to 250+ young ladies across 20+ Virginia high schools, ensuring students experience confidence and celebration without financial burden.
• Northern Virginia Juneteenth Scholarship Scholarship program celebrating young leaders who exemplify education, leadership, and cultural pride connected to Juneteenth. Provides a $1,500 scholarship opportunity to winners who will represent the program throughout the year at Central Virginia Juneteenth Celebration.
• 1775 Charity Golf Tournament Annual fundraising event supporting outreach efforts including toy distribution, meal service, and coat distribution to families and veterans. Event fuels the organization's capacity to serve 12,000+ youth nationwide.
• 30 Days of Giving Annual community dinner service benefiting Northern Virginia, feeding 300+ people and distributing toys to over 250 youth. Includes holiday initiatives and homeless dinner service.
• Windy City Toys For Tots Express Annual holiday program in Chicagoland providing a Cocoa & Donuts with Santa experience and Toys for Tots distribution. One eligible Chicagoland school is randomly selected annually to receive the program benefits.
• Operation Ready For Class Back-to-school drive providing educational resources, supplies, and support to youth and families in need, part of the organization's nationwide 12,000+ youth served impact.
• Overseas Giveback Missions International service initiative deploying veteran volunteers to provide school supplies, youth engagement, and essential resources in partnership with local communities. Includes Jamaica Giveback and Ghana Golden Coast Holiday Express programs.
• The Warrior Code Book Self-help and leadership guide authored by founder Tawanda 'Tee' Marie Hanible. Titled 'The Warrior Code: 11 Principles to Unleash the Bad Ass in You', the book provides practical tools for personal growth, resilience, accountability, and leadership. Available in signed ($32) and standard ($25.99) formats. Award-winning book recognized by Publisher's Weekly, endorsed by Alyssa Milano and Montel Williams, and selected for inclusion by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). Fifty percent of net proceeds support the organization's youth and veteran programming.
• Camp Facilitator Cohort Program Two-week structured training program for volunteer camp facilitators. Week one consists of virtual training in youth engagement, leadership standards, safety protocols, and program expectations. Week two places participants on-site as active Summer Camp Facilitators leading programming and mentoring youth.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12,000+ youth served nationwide with 300+ veterans mobilized in service
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Grateful Wanderer Travel LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Travel booking partner for Jamaica Giveback experience, enabling veteran volunteers and supporters to participate in international service missions delivering school supplies and youth engagement in Montego Bay.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The Warrior Code book has been selected for inclusion by DBSA as part of its educational programming. DBSA is supported through funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, extending the book's reach to veterans and individuals seeking mental health resources.
• Vet TixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization supporting the 1775 Charity Golf Classic fundraising event.
• Black Girl SunscreenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Operation Heroes Connect programs providing support for youth and veteran initiatives.
• CW4KminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor supporting Operation Heroes Connect charitable programs and events.
• Leave No Veteran BehindminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVeteran-focused organization sponsoring Operation Heroes Connect initiatives.
• Steel ResolveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVeteran-focused consulting firm and sponsor of Operation Heroes Connect programs.
• CostcominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing support for Operation Heroes Connect programs.
• 21minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Operation Heroes Connect charitable initiatives.
• ChiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor supporting Operation Heroes Connect youth and veteran programs.
• GustominorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Operation Heroes Connect programs and events.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Hire Heroes USA: Veteran-transition nonprofit providing career coaching and employment support — overlaps OPHC's veteran-purpose-renewal value proposition but focuses on workforce re-entry rather than youth mentorship.
• Boulder Crest Foundation: Veteran-focused nonprofit providing structured retreat and transition programs — addresses the same veteran-purpose-renewal outcome that OPHC positions as a core benefit of its mentor service model.

Direct peers

• Team Rubicon: Mobilizes veterans for disaster response and humanitarian operations domestically and internationally — closely aligned with OPHC's Overseas Giveback missions and veteran-volunteer deployment model.
• Got Your 6: Veteran advocacy nonprofit focused on veteran reintegration through community programs and storytelling — overlaps OPHC's veteran re-engagement value proposition and media-driven awareness approach.
• Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB): Veteran-led nonprofit that mobilizes veterans through community service, fitness, and civic engagement — directly comparable to OPHC's veteran-engagement-as-service model with similar cross-state chapter structure.
• The Mission Continues: Deploys veterans as community leaders and mentors, addressing veteran transition and community impact simultaneously — a near-direct match to OPHC's dual veteran/youth mission and volunteer-led service delivery.
• Travis Manion Foundation: Veteran-mentor driven nonprofit focused on character development and community service; runs veteran-led youth mentorship programs analogous to OPHC's summer camps and community initiatives.

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: Large, established veteran-services nonprofit with broad programming across physical, mental, and financial wellness; competes with OPHC for veteran-focused donor dollars but at vastly greater scale and infrastructure.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth-development nonprofit delivering mentorship and enrichment programs to at-risk youth — directly comparable beneficiary population to OPHC's youth segment, with much deeper geographic reach.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: Premier youth-mentoring nonprofit pairing adult mentors with at-risk youth — competes for the same donor and corporate-sponsor mindshare that OPHC targets through its veteran-mentor model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HeroesConnect
• Facebookfacebook.com/OperationHeroesConnect
• Instagraminstagram.com/operationheroesconnect
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/operationheroesconnect

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Operation Heroes Connect