Hook A Hero

What Hook A Hero does

Hook-A-Hero, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in Tampa, Florida in the fall of 2016, delivering confidential mental health services and outdoor wellness programming to active, retired, reserve, and veteran first responders (firefighters, law enforcement, EMS) and military personnel, as well as their families. The organization's core offering is free therapy and counseling delivered through a vetted network of licensed clinicians (LCSWs, LMHCs, LMFTs) and clinical partners including HCA Florida Healthcare and Emerald Medical, supplemented by purpose-driven outdoor activities (fishing, hunting, golf, hiking, clay shooting) and intensive programs such as Operation Restore at the Franciscan Center Tampa and the Project IronMind endurance fundraising initiative. All services are provided at no cost to participants, and the organization is 100% volunteer-driven with no paid staff, operating from a single Tampa headquarters while claiming a national service footprint covering approximately 180 heroes annually.

The organization is funded entirely through donations and sponsorships rather than fees: revenue streams include one-time individual donations processed via Square, a tiered monthly recurring donor program called The Hero Club ($11–$500/month with benefits scaling to event signage and logo placement), corporate sponsorships, and a portfolio of annual fundraising events (Casino Night, Clay Shoot, Golf Tournament, Wellness Retreat). Distribution is via a direct-to-hero service model accessed through a website-based nomination and confidential intake process, with referrals flowing in through a network of 23+ partner organizations and crisis hotlines including the First Responder Hope Line, Safe Call Now, and COP2COP. The five-person volunteer leadership team includes President Mike Roberts (law enforcement, SWAT background), Executive Director Pete Bratkovich (active-duty Florida State Firefighter/Paramedic, joined October 2024), Vice-President Andrea Hartman (CIO of Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office), and board members Zach Maddox (former firefighter/paramedic, founder of Healing Heroes Guide Company) and Paul Evancoe (SWAT Sniper).

Name

Hook A Hero

Legal name

Hook-A-Hero, Inc.

Website

https://hookahero.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Hook-A-Hero is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 in Tampa, Florida that provides free, confidential mental health services and outdoor wellness programming to active, retired, and veteran first responders and military personnel and their families nationwide, funded entirely through donations, sponsorships, and annual fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

First Responder Mental Health Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Shelter, Camp Coordination & Camp Management (CCCM) (BPADADAB)

Keywords

• Mental health services
• First responder wellness
• Peer support network
• Outdoor recreation therapy
• Veteran support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

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, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization accepts general donations through Square checkout. Donations are used to fund mental health services, outdoor activities, medical expense assistance, and operational costs. The organization is 100% volunteer-driven to minimize overhead.
2. Monthly Recurring Donations (Hero Club): The Hero Club is a monthly recurring donation program with tiered membership levels from $11 to $500 per month. Higher tiers include benefits such as logo placement on the website, early registration for events, and sponsor signage at events.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Companies provide event sponsorships at fundraising events or specific sponsorships for heroes and their services. Sponsors receive visibility through logo placement and event recognition.
4. Annual Events: Major fundraising events including Casino Night, Clay Shootout, Golf Tournament, and Wellness Retreat generate significant funding for the organization. Each event includes sponsorship opportunities, raffles, auctions, and participant registrations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hook-A-Hero provides confidential mental health therapy, counseling, and coaching, combined with purpose-driven outdoor activities and wellness retreats, to first responders and military personnel at no cost. Services are delivered through a vetted network of licensed counselors and activity partners, funded by donations, sponsorships, and annual fundraising events, with eligibility accessed via an online nomination and intake process.

Product overview

Hook-A-Hero is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing a suite of mental health and wellness services for first responders and military personnel. The core offerings include confidential therapy and counseling through a vetted network of mental health professionals, outdoor recreational activities (fishing, hunting, golf, clay shooting, hiking), and wellness programs. The organization operates signature fundraising events (Clay Shoot, Casino Night, Golf Tournament), a monthly Hero Club donation program, and specific initiatives like Project IronMind and Operation Restore. Services are provided at no cost to eligible heroes and their families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mental Health Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 400 mental health service sessions delivered in the past year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• BoatsetterminorOthersFishing charter partner providing outdoor activity services for heroes through the organization's network of associates and partners.
• Florida Fishing ProductsminorOthersFishing products partner providing equipment and gear support for hero fishing activities.
• Islamorada Coastal AdventuresminorOthersCoastal adventure partner providing fishing and outdoor experiences for heroes.
• Operation Patriot SupportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary support organization partner aligned with Hook-A-Hero's mission to support military personnel. Co-listed as beneficiary of Project IronMind fundraising alongside Hook-A-Hero.
• Sportsman Charters FLminorOthersFishing charter partner providing outdoor activity services for heroes.
• Fire Dept MealsminorOthersMeal service provider supporting first responder events and activities.
• Franciscan Center TampacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Operation Restore, a 3-night, 4-day confidential treatment program for first responders at the Tampa facility. Major partner for trauma and mental health support services.
• SOF MissionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial Operations Forces Mission Retreat partner providing specialized support programs for heroes.
• HCA Florida HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner providing healthcare services and support for first responders. Listed as a clinical partner on the Service Providers page.
• Emerald MedicalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner providing medical services for heroes. Listed as a clinical partner on the Service Providers page.
• Angelina Whalen, LCSW, LMFTcoreOthersLicensed clinical social worker and family therapist providing mental health services to heroes through the counseling partner network.
• Brian Krause, M.A.coreOthersMental health counselor providing services through the counseling partner network.
• Claire Gordijn, LMHCcoreOthersLicensed mental health counselor providing services through the counseling partner network.
• Diana Johnson, LCSW, CCTPcoreOthersLicensed clinical social worker and certified clinical trauma professional providing mental health services.
• Peirano Family FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides the $1,000 Family First, Future Strong Scholarship for children of first responders in Hillsborough County.
• Westchase Golf ClubminorOthersVenue partner hosting the Annual Golf Tournament at their Tampa facility.
• Tampa Bay Sporting ClaysminorOthersVenue partner hosting the Annual Clay Shoot Fundraiser at their Tampa facility.
• Tampa Firefighters MuseumminorOthersVenue partner hosting the Casino Night fundraising event.
• First Responder Hope Line (Crisis Center of Tampa Bay)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner24/7 crisis hotline specifically for first responders (1-866-4FL-HERO) providing confidential support with counselors trained to support first responders in crisis.
• Safe Call NowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource for public safety employees to speak confidentially with officers, former law enforcement officers, public safety professionals and/or mental healthcare providers familiar with their line of work.
• COP2COPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeer and clinical support services provided 24/7 by law enforcement professionals, psychologists/social workers and retired law enforcement volunteers.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ResponderStrong: Nonprofit dedicated to first responder mental health awareness, peer support, and suicide prevention — closely comparable mission and free peer-support/clinical model.
• Save A Hero: Nonprofit offering mental health services, support, and resources to military personnel, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS — overlapping mission, beneficiary base, and free-of-charge service model.
• COP2COP: 24/7 peer and clinical support line for law enforcement, staffed by officers, psychologists, and retired LE volunteers — same confidential crisis-support model and target population as Hook-A-Hero.
• Operation Patriot Support: Nonprofit supporting military personnel and first responders with mental health and wellness services — overlapping beneficiary base and mission; Hook-A-Hero's strategic Project IronMind partner.
• Code 4 North America: Nonprofit providing mental health and crisis support specifically to first responders (fire, police, EMS, dispatch), directly comparable in target population, free-service model, and clinical + peer support delivery.
• The Wounded Blue: Nonprofit providing confidential mental health and wellness support specifically to injured and disabled law enforcement officers — directly comparable in beneficiary focus and clinical/peer support model.
• Badge of Life Mental Health: Nonprofit focused on the psychological and emotional well-being of law enforcement officers, providing education, resources, and support — directly comparable in first-responder mental health specialization.
• Safe Call Now: Confidential crisis hotline staffed by public safety professionals and mental health clinicians for first responders and their families — directly comparable mission, confidential support model, and Hook-A-Hero partner.

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: Large national nonprofit serving post-9/11 veterans with mental health, physical, and career programs — overlapping military mental health mission but vastly larger scale, funding base, and brand recognition.
• First Responder Children's Foundation: Established nonprofit providing scholarships, financial support, and wellness programs to first responder families — broader mission footprint and larger donor base, but overlapping beneficiary segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HookAHero
• Instagraminstagram.com/hook.a.hero

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Hook A Hero