What Robert Irvine Foundation does

The Robert Irvine Foundation, Inc. is a Tampa, Florida-based tax-exempt public charity founded in 2014 by celebrity chef and Royal Navy veteran Robert Irvine. It supports U.S. military veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and their families through three program pillars: Food Programs (Breaking Bread with Heroes, Let's Chow veteran culinary training, and Food Insecurity grocery/gift card support), Wellness Programs (Reuniting The Brave, The YOMP hiking challenge, Suicide Prevention via the Face the Fight Coalition, and the Mission: Vetfit pilot), and Community Programs (military Base Visits). The foundation claims impact on more than one million beneficiaries and 92,000+ meals served, and reports a 2024 program-expense ratio of 89%, alongside Charity Navigator 4-Star and GuideStar Platinum transparency ratings.

The foundation's revenue model is donations and charitable contributions from individual donors, foundation grants, and a tiered corporate partnership program spanning a Signature Partner (American Airlines) plus Champion, Premier, Contributing, and Advocate tiers with more than 25 organizations including Sysco, Disabled American Veterans, Fit Crunch, Sunbelt Rentals, Boeing, Gary Sinise Foundation, and Comcast Business. A portion of proceeds from Robert Irvine's for-profit brands — Fresh Kitchen, Robert Irvine Foods, Fit Crunch, Boardroom Spirits, and Irvine's Spirits — flows to the foundation. Distribution is national and primarily delivered through direct outreach, signature events (Red Wine & Blues, Beats 'N Eats, Charity Golf Tournament, Dining for Inspiration), partner-hosted events, and base visits; donations and merchandise are also processed online.

The operating model has shifted from grantmaking (2014) to direct service delivery (2020) to a portfolio of branded programs (2022). Operational leadership combines a former UNHCR/Save the Children/UNICEF executive as Interim CEO with program leadership drawn from decorated retired military veterans across the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, and Air Force. The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors and an Advisory Council, runs with a 1-10 person staff, and operates under federal tax ID #46-5420676.

Name

Robert Irvine Foundation

Legal name

Robert Irvine Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://robertirvinefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Robert Irvine Foundation is a Tampa-based nonprofit founded in 2014 by celebrity chef and Royal Navy veteran Robert Irvine that supports U.S. military veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and their families through food, wellness, and community programs funded by donations and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran and Military Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

Keywords

• Veteran services programs
• Military family support
• First responder wellness
• Nonprofit food assistance
• Veteran community programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation relies on donations from individual donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation grants. A portion of proceeds from Robert Irvine's business ventures (Fresh Kitchen restaurants, Robert Irvine Foods, Fit Crunch, Boardroom Spirits, Irvine's Spirits) benefit the foundation.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Robert Irvine Foundation is a nonprofit organization that delivers direct service programs to U.S. veterans, active duty service members, first responders, and their families across three areas: food programs (Breaking Bread with Heroes, Let's Chow, Food Insecurity), wellness programs (Reuniting The Brave, The YOMP, Suicide Prevention via Face the Fight, Mission: Vetfit), and community programs (Base Visits). The Foundation is funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants.

Product overview

The Robert Irvine Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that operates as a collection of social impact programs rather than a traditional product platform. The Foundation's portfolio centers on three core areas: Food Programs (Breaking Bread with Heroes, Let's Chow, Food Insecurity), Wellness Programs (Reuniting The Brave, The YOMP, Suicide Prevention, Mission: Vetfit), and Community Programs (Base Visits). These programs work together to provide holistic support to service members, veterans, first responders, and their families through food assistance, mental and physical wellness initiatives, and peer support community building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Breaking Bread with Heroes A food program providing meals to service members, veterans, and first responders, creating shared dining experiences that bring communities together. The program has served 92,000+ heroes and their families with meals and operates nationwide as part of the Foundation's Food Programs pillar.
• Let's Chow A culinary training program that empowers veteran entrepreneurs in the culinary industry by providing essential training to help launch and sustain their food-related businesses.
• Food Insecurity Program Addresses food insecurity among military families through grocery handouts and gift card distribution. The program responds to the fact that 1 in 6 military families struggles with food insecurity and helps prevent hunger and rationing among service members and their families.
• Reuniting The Brave A wellness program that reunites service members so their bonds may be reignited and celebrated throughout their lives. The program creates peer-support experiences that strengthen the mental well-being and community connection of heroes and their families.
• The YOMP An annual hiking challenge (Cateran YOMP) delivered as part of Reuniting The Brave. The YOMP is positioned as a resiliency experience focused on healing, purpose, and connection through physical activity.
• Suicide Prevention A wellness program delivered in partnership with the Face the Fight Coalition, focused on reducing the veteran and military suicide rate. Participants report significantly improved willingness to reach out to unit members for help, supporting mental health outcomes for veterans, service members, and first responders.
• Mission: Vetfit A pilot program helping veterans strengthen mind and body through fitness, nutrition, and community building. Mission: Vetfit serves as a holistic wellness offering for veterans, supported by an EOS gym and partner fitness programming.
• Base Visits A community program where Robert Irvine visits military bases, bringing a sense of home and community to active duty service members, supporting morale, family connection, and direct engagement between the Foundation's leadership and the military community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92,000+ heroes and families served meals through food programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered signature partner, premier partner, champion partner, contributing partner, advocate partner and core partnership.

• American Airlinessignature partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerAmerican Airlines is the Signature Partner of the Robert Irvine Foundation. The partnership includes charter flights and historic missions such as Snowball Express, Soaring Valor, Salute to the Troops, and veteran travel to Washington, D.C. Randy Stillinger serves as Manager of Military and Veterans Initiatives at American Airlines coordinating these efforts.
• Face the Fightpremier partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerFace the Fight is a Premier Partner and coalition focused on reducing the alarming suicide rate in the veteran and military community. The foundation has joined the Face the Fight Coalition for suicide prevention programs.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV)champion partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAV is a Champion Partner providing free, professional assistance to veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services earned through military service.
• Syscochampion partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerSysco is a Champion Partner and the global foodservice leader delivering food products. Reed Haley serves as Region President and is on the foundation's Advisory Council.
• Sunbelt Rentalscontributing partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerSunbelt Rentals is a Contributing Partner with Sean Perseo serving as Ambassador of Outreach Programs driving veteran engagement strategy.
• Gary Sinise Foundationadvocate partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerGary Sinise Foundation is an Advocate Partner supporting the foundation's mission to serve veterans and first responders.
• Boeingadvocate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBoeing is an Advocate Partner supporting foundation programs through corporate partnership.
• Operation Honor: Rural Salutecore partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Operation Honor: Rural Salute for a 2026 multi-state event series designed to support rural veterans, service members, and military families who often face isolation and limited resources. First event is Breaking Bread with Heroes on May 16, 2026 at Buffalo Presbyterian Church in Sanford, North Carolina.
• Fit Crunchchampion partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerFit Crunch is a Champion Partner and Robert Irvine brand offering fitness nutrition products with proceeds benefiting the foundation.
• iHeart Mediacontributing partnerGTM or Marketing PartneriHeart Media is a Contributing Partner providing media and marketing support.
• Raymond James Valorcontributing partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerRaymond James Valor is a Contributing Partner supporting veteran-focused initiatives.
• Live Nationadvocate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerLive Nation is an Advocate Partner supporting foundation events and programs.
• Comcast Businessadvocate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerComcast Business is an Advocate Partner with Terrence Connell, former Senior Vice President of HQ Sales, on the Board of Directors.
• Linked Logisticschampion partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerLinked Logistics is a Champion Partner supporting foundation logistics and operations.
• Roberts & Ryanadvocate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerRoberts & Ryan is an Advocate Partner and veteran-led business. Peter Clarke, Lieutenant US Navy (Ret.) and Senior Director at Roberts & Ryan, was instrumental in forming the partnership.
• r4 (r4.ai)advocate partnerTechnology or Integrationr4 is an Advocate Partner providing technology solutions.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Visionadvocate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBlue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision is an Advocate Partner supporting foundation programs.
• Cienaadvocate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCiena is an Advocate Partner supporting foundation initiatives.
• Curtzeadvocate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCurtze is an Advocate Partner supporting foundation programs.
• Good Ranchersadvocate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerGood Ranchers is an Advocate Partner supporting foundation food programs.
• Monster Caresadvocate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMonster Cares is an Advocate Partner supporting foundation initiatives.
• Penn Entertainmentadvocate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPenn Entertainment is an Advocate Partner supporting foundation programs.
• Mick Unplugged Podcastcontributing partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMick Unplugged Podcast is a Contributing Partner with Mick Hunt, Author & Podcast Host and Advisory Council member, supporting outreach.
• Oceans Calling Festivalcontributing partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerOceans Calling Festival is a Contributing Partner supporting foundation events.
• Battle Testedadvocate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBattle Tested is an Advocate Partner supporting veteran-focused initiatives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bob Woodruff Foundation: Founded by ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff to support post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families through grants to vetted programs. Shares the celebrity-founder model, veteran/family focus, and grantmaking-plus-direct-support hybrid approach with RIF.
• Armed Services YMCA: Provides program services to junior enlisted service members and their families, including food assistance, childcare, and wellness programs. Directly comparable to RIF's Food Insecurity and family-support programs; RIF's SVP of Development previously worked here.
• Gary Sinise Foundation: Founded by actor Gary Sinise, this foundation similarly supports veterans, first responders, and their families through entertainment, food, and wellness programs. It is also an active RIF partner, making it the closest comparable in mission, celebrity-founder model, and program mix.
• Semper Fi & America's Fund: Provides critical financial assistance and holistic support to wounded, critically ill, and injured service members and their families. Overlaps with RIF on whole-person care for active-duty and veteran populations at a comparable scale.
• Folds of Honor: Provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of fallen and disabled service members and first responders. Comparable beneficiary focus on military/first responder families and comparable mid-sized nonprofit scale.

Broad incumbents

• Tunnel to Towers Foundation: National nonprofit supporting wounded veterans, first responders, and military families through mortgage payoffs, smart homes, and financial assistance. Comparable beneficiary focus and high-profile fundraising events, though at materially larger scale.
• Wounded Warrior Project: One of the largest and best-known veteran support nonprofits, offering physical and mental wellness programs, career transition support, and long-term advocacy. Significantly larger scale than RIF but operates in overlapping beneficiary and program categories.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Long-established congressionally chartered veterans service organization providing benefits assistance and advocacy for disabled veterans. RIF is an active partner; comparable mission on disabled veteran support but much broader and more established.
• USO (United Service Organizations): The leading nonprofit supporting active-duty military and their families through entertainment, food, and base visit programs. RIF's Base Visits program directly mirrors USO's delivery model, and several RIF staff (e.g., Chief of Staff) have prior USO leadership experience.

Emerging players

• Travis Manion Foundation: Character-development nonprofit empowering veterans and families of fallen service members to develop leadership skills and serve communities. Comparable mid-sized scope with overlapping veteran community focus, though more leadership-oriented than RIF's food/wellness mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rirvinefound
• Facebookfacebook.com/robertirvinefoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/robert-irvine-foundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Robert Irvine Foundation