HeroBox
HeroBox is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a web platform connecting sponsors with deployed U.S. military service members through personalized care packages shipped via USPS Priority Mail, supplemented by corporate HeroDay group-packing events, with a small staff supported by volunteers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersTyrone, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What HeroBox does
HeroBox, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia (EIN 26-3985630), founded in 2008 by Ryan Housley initially as a weekend project to support a family member deployed in Iraq. The organization operates a web-based platform (app.herobox.org) that connects individual sponsors and corporate groups with deployed U.S. military service members through personalized care packages. Deployed service members register, create wish lists of desired items, and are matched with sponsors who either pack a HeroBox at home, build one online, or participate in a group event. Physical fulfillment flows exclusively through USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes to APO/FPO addresses, with shipping labels generated and purchased through the platform.
The core product suite consists of the HeroBox (individual personalized care package), HeroDay (group corporate event program typically priced at ~$40 per hero including all items and shipping), HeroKit (standardized kit variant), and HeroBags (drawstring bag format used in group events), alongside a branded Hero Shop merchandise line. HeroBox relies on a hybrid community-led and event-driven go-to-market motion: individual sponsors are recruited primarily through word of mouth and social sharing, while enterprise relationships are cultivated through corporate HeroDay events that double as team-building and CSR activities. The organization is supported by a small paid staff of 1-10 employees augmented by thousands of volunteers, and operations are remote with no fixed volunteer location. HeroBox claims scale metrics of 1M+ heroes supported cumulatively, 20,000+ registered sponsors, 1,000+ HeroDays hosted, and 10,000+ care packages shipped in the most recent five-year period.
Revenue streams comprise individual donations (100% of which fund the mission per the organization's stated model), corporate HeroDay event fees structured at approximately $40 per hero including supplies and shipping, and shipping-label transaction fees purchased through the platform. Major disclosed corporate partners include The Home Depot, Microsoft, Marathon Petroleum, Esler Companies, Comcast, Edelman Financial Engines, and Americold, with earned media recognition from Parade Magazine (2024) and MLB/People Magazine (2009), plus an active NASCAR marketing partnership initiated in 2024. HeroBox has no disclosed external equity funding, no parent company, and no subsidiaries.
HeroBox firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HeroBox
- Legal name
- HeroBox, Inc.
- Website
- https://herobox.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- HeroBox is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a web platform connecting sponsors with deployed U.S. military service members through personalized care packages shipped via USPS Priority Mail, supplemented by corporate HeroDay group-packing events, with a small staff supported by volunteers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HeroBox industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Military Support Services
- NAICS
- Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs (HLAJAKAE)
Keywords
Where HeroBox is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tyrone
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
HeroBox business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute money to support the organization's mission of sending care packages to deployed service members. 100% of donations fund the mission.
- Corporate Partnerships and Event Fees: Companies pay for HeroDay events where they sponsor multiple heroes. Costs are calculated by number of heroes supported, including items and shipping.
- Shipping Labels: Sponsors purchase shipping labels through the platform when sending individual HeroBoxes. This covers USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping costs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Corporate HeroDay Events - ~$40 per hero |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
HeroBox product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HeroBox connects individual sponsors and corporate groups with deployed U.S. service members through personalized care packages. Sponsors register online, select a hero from the platform, view the hero's wishlist, and either build a box online or pack items at home for shipment via USPS Priority Mail. The organization also runs HeroDay group events where teams gather to pack multiple care packages simultaneously, and operates a merchandise store to support the program.
Product overview
HeroBox is a nonprofit military support platform operated by HeroBox, Inc. that connects individuals and organizations with deployed U.S. service members through personalized care packages. The core offering is the HeroBox (also called HeroCare Package), a customizable care package that sponsors assemble based on a hero's wishlist and ship overseas via USPS Priority Mail. HeroBox also operates HeroDay, a group event program where teams and organizations pack multiple HeroBoxes or HeroKits at company gatherings, corporate retreats, or community events—in-person or virtually. Supporting products include HeroKit (standardized kits for group events) and HeroBags (drawstring bag format). A merchandise store (Hero Shop) sells branded apparel. The platform is accessed via a sponsor registration system where users select heroes, manage wishlists, and purchase shipping labels. Founded in 2008 by Ryan Housley, the 501(c)(3) organization is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- HeroBox (Personalized Care Package) Personalized care package sent to an individual deployed U.S. service member. Sponsors register on the platform, select a hero, view the hero's wishlist, and either build a box online or pack items at home for shipment via USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate to APO/FPO addresses.
- HeroDay (Group Event Program)
- HeroKit
- HeroBags
- Hero Shop (Branded Merchandise)
Quantifiable outcome
- Supported more than 1 million military heroes
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use HeroBox
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
HeroBox technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
HeroBox partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Esler CompaniescoreEsler Companies dedicated $30,000 to support Hero Day across all ten territories, packing 700 HeroBoxes filled with items requested by military members. The company-wide volunteer initiative included handwritten notes and local touches at each location.
- Marathon PetroleumcoreMarathon Petroleum Refinery employees collaborated to assemble 40 custom-packed bags for deployed service members as a New Year initiative. Each bag included essential items, comfort goods, snacks, and personal touches requested by service members along with handwritten notes of encouragement.
- Texas A&M Student Veterans of AmericaminorTexas A&M SVA and HeroBox had HeroDay event packing 40 bags with Brigadier General Joe Ramirez joining. Ten very full boxes on their way overseas.
- Garrett Smithley Racing / NASCARminorNASCAR driver Garrett Smithley invited HeroBox to NASCAR at COTA race, providing VIP experience. Working on marketing program to promote HeroBox to NASCAR fans.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft's Military at Microsoft group in North Carolina hosted a HeroDay supplying 100 HeroBags. Previous Microsoft partnerships sent 600 care packages to deployed service members overseas. Also includes Azure event donations to IRONHORSE Brigade.
- Carmel Swim ClubminorIndiana swim club packed HeroBoxes to send to deployed soldiers. Multiple HeroDays hosted with student-athletes participating.
- Club Phoenix Teen CouncilminorVienna, Virginia teen council hosted HeroDay and packed 20 boxes with over 440 items collected for deployed heroes.
- PinoStrong FoundationminorFoundation honors hero Danny by supporting deployed heroes through HeroBox. Includes heartfelt letters in every HeroBox explaining Danny's story.
- BFZ ElectricminorBFZ Electrix team packed 134 HeroBoxes with snacks, energy supplements, and hygiene products. Returning sponsors with over 200 HeroBoxes sent total.
- Stars and Stripes BrewingminorMaine brewery packed 2 HeroKits supporting 20 deployed Heroes. Second HeroDay hosted at the brewery with customer donations.
- Salesforce HealthcareminorSalesforce HealthCare team traveled from Texas to South Florida for a conference and packed 37 HeroBoxes on the last day, personalized with notes to each hero.
- Cretex MedicalminorCretex Medical teamed up for a HeroDay providing support to 50 service members. Their efforts over past years have provided support to over 190 heroes.
- Indiana Farm Bureau InsuranceminorPartnered with HeroBox to honor and support troops on 9/11, packing 80 bags full of items for deployed service members.
- Pinnacle Bankminor22 branches partnered with HeroBox for a 3-month Salute the Troops fundraiser, successfully raising over $7,000 in donations.
- Ultimate SoftwareminorHosted first event with HeroBox at Wynn Las Vegas with hundreds of Ultimate Software users in attendance.
- Edelman Financial EnginescoreHosted HeroDay at Gas Monkey Garage with 800 boxes packed. Presented $5,000 donation on stage during the event. Richard Rawlings from Fast N' Loud participated in packing boxes.
- The Home DepotcoreLong-standing partner that has packed thousands of HeroBoxes. Orlando event broke records with 1,000 boxes packed in 15 minutes. Multiple events including leadership conferences, intern programs, and store support center gatherings.
- Quest Community Development OrganizationminorHosted HeroDay to pack 100 hygiene kits for veterans who are homeless or in-need of basic necessities.
- Trinity High SchoolminorStudents gathered at HeroBox headquarters to pack 288 care-packages for deployed service members as part of Go Week service project.
- HomeAdvisorminorHomeAdvisor team gathered to pack and ship 250 HeroBoxes to deployed heroes.
- Pinewood StudiosminorThe studio behind Marvel supported real heroes through HeroBox partnership.
- AmericoldcoreEmployees gather around the country each year to support deployed service members with HeroBox.
- Piedmont HealthcareminorPiedmont Healthcare's Human Resources Business Partners group met and ended session with a community service project packing HeroBoxes.
- ComcastcoreComcast team gathered at Atlanta HQ to pack and ship over 250 HeroBoxes to deployed service members.
- FiservminorFiserv packs over 150 HeroBoxes for our heroes.
- PricewaterhouseCoopersminorPricewaterhouseCoopers sent dozens of HeroBoxes to deployed service members.
- Chick-fil-AminorEmployees of Chick-fil-A gathered at corporate HQ to support deployed heroes aboard the USS McCain.
- Armed Forces BankminorCorporate partner supporting deployed service members through HeroBox program.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
HeroBox competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Packages From Home: Nonprofit sending care packages and letters from home to deployed U.S. military members. Same beneficiary population and operational model — sponsor-driven package fulfillment — as HeroBox.
- Support Our Troops: Military-support nonprofit funded largely through donations and corporate partners that provides care packages and morale programs for deployed troops. Comparable donor- and corporate-partnership-driven funding model.
- Any Soldier: Long-running volunteer program that enables civilians to send care packages directly to deployed service members. Closely comparable in the sponsor-to-hero individual care package model that HeroBox uses.
- Soldiers' Angels: Volunteer-led nonprofit supporting deployed service members, wounded warriors, and veterans through care packages, letters, and adoption programs. Direct overlap with HeroBox's mission of connecting civilians with individual deployed service members.
- Cell Phones for Soldiers: Nonprofit funded through corporate partnerships and donations that supports deployed service members (originally via prepaid phone minutes, expanded to broader support). Comparable donor + corporate partnership GTM and deployed-service-member beneficiary base.
- Troops Direct: Nonprofit delivering supplies and care packages directly to deployed service members in forward operating areas. Comparable beneficiary population and logistics-driven care-package model.
- Forgotten Soldiers Outreach: Nonprofit that ships monthly care packages to deployed U.S. service members overseas. Directly comparable mission and beneficiary base, with a similar APO/FPO shipping model via USPS.
- Operation Gratitude: 501(c)(3) nonprofit that sends care packages to deployed U.S. troops, veterans, first responders, and military families. Operates with a similar volunteer-driven, donation-funded model and runs large-scale Care Package Assembly events analogous to HeroBox's HeroDays.
- America's Mighty Warriors: Military-support nonprofit providing care packages and programs for deployed troops, wounded warriors, and families of the fallen. Overlaps with HeroBox in deployed-troop care packages and corporate/foundation fundraising model.
Broad incumbents
- USO (United Service Organizations): Large, established nonprofit supporting U.S. service members through centers, entertainment, and programs. A broader incumbent in military support with significantly larger resources, brand recognition, and corporate partner network, providing overlapping capability but across a much wider portfolio than HeroBox's care-package focus.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HeroBox social profiles
Digital presenceHeroBox compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
HeroBox financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HeroBox leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
HeroBox funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HeroBox M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HeroBox
What does HeroBox do?
HeroBox connects individual sponsors and corporate groups with deployed U.S. service members through personalized care packages. Sponsors register online, select a hero from the platform, view the hero's wishlist, and either build a box online or pack items at home for shipment via USPS Priority Mail. The organization also runs HeroDay group events where teams gather to pack multiple care packages simultaneously, and operates a merchandise store to support the program.
Is HeroBox a public or private company?
HeroBox is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was HeroBox founded?
HeroBox was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is HeroBox based?
HeroBox is headquartered in Tyrone, United States, in the North America region.
How does HeroBox make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships and Event Fees and shipping Labels.
Who are HeroBox's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Packages From Home, Support Our Troops, Any Soldier, Soldiers' Angels, Cell Phones for Soldiers, Troops Direct, Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Operation Gratitude and America's Mighty Warriors. USO (United Service Organizations) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does HeroBox have an API?
No public API is recorded for HeroBox.
What industry is HeroBox in?
HeroBox's product category is Military Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJAKAE, Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs. Its NAICS code is 6242 and its SIC code is 8300.