Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation

What Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation does

Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation (PTSDF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 by Leslie Mayne in Gig Harbor, Washington, following the death of her son, PFC Kyle Marshall Farr, who died by suicide after struggling with PTSD and traumatic brain injury following deployments to Iraq. The foundation's mission is to enhance the mind, body, and spiritual wellbeing of combat veterans, first responders, and their family members by delivering free, peer-led Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) programs in the Pacific Northwest. Programs are delivered at no cost to participants and require no clinical diagnosis.

The foundation's core offering is Warrior PATHH (Progressive and Alternative Training for Healing Heroes), a PTG-based curriculum licensed from the Boulder Crest Foundation. It begins with a 7-day on-site intensive (serving roughly 8 participants per cohort) followed by 18 months of structured follow-on training delivered through Boulder Crest's myPATHH digital platform and mobile app. Supporting programs include monthly Hero Huddle peer-support meetings, Struggle Well one-day prevention workshops, Post-Traumatic Growth workshops, equine-assisted couples retreats, "Permission To Start Painting" art therapy, Matters of the Heart spouse/partner events, and the "Coming Home" documentary film. The foundation is the first Pacific Northwest delivery partner of Warrior PATHH and a member of the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network.

The foundation is funded entirely through private donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations — no fees are charged to program participants. Revenue is generated through signature annual events (Race For A Soldier, Swing For A Soldier, Prayer Breakfast, Pull For A Soldier), targeted corporate and foundation grants (Lockheed Martin, Timberland Bank/Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Paycor), individual giving, and ancillary channels such as the Fred Meyer Community Rewards program. The organization operates with a 1–10 person staff from a headquarters at 3733 Rosedale Street in Gig Harbor, with program delivery historically based at Camp Beausite in Chimacum, WA and currently at leased facilities in Kitsap County. Notable recognition includes the 2020 Guidestar (Candid) Platinum Seal of Transparency and the 2017 Association of Washington Generals Community Service Award.

Name

Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation

Legal name

Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation

Website

https://ptsdfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation is a Gig Harbor, WA-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering free, peer-led Post-Traumatic Growth programs—principally Warrior PATHH and Struggle Well—to combat veterans, first responders, and their families across the Pacific Northwest, funded entirely through private donations and signature fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran and First Responder Mental Health Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs (THAAAOAG), Recreation Therapy, Stress Management & Mindfulness Programs (EDALAFAO)

Keywords

• Veteran mental health programs
• First responder wellness
• Post-traumatic growth training
• Nonprofit veteran support
• Peer-led trauma recovery

Headquarters

HQ city

Gig Harbor

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Private Donations: The foundation is entirely funded through private donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. All programs are provided at no cost to veterans, first responders, and their families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation delivers free Post-Traumatic Growth-based training programs to combat veterans, first responders, active-duty military, and their families in the Pacific Northwest. Its flagship program is Warrior PATHH — a 7-day on-site intensive followed by 18 months of structured follow-up — complemented by monthly Heroes Huddle peer-support meetings, Post-Traumatic Growth workshops, the 1-day Struggle Well prevention training, equine-assisted retreats, and art therapy workshops. All programs are provided at no cost to participants and are funded entirely through private donations, corporate grants, and signature fundraising events.

Product overview

Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation operates as a single unified nonprofit organization offering multiple strength-based programs for mental, emotional, and spiritual growth focused on veterans, first responders, and their families. The core program is Warrior PATHH, a Post-Traumatic Growth-based training program combining a 7-day on-site initiation with 18 months of ongoing training delivered via the myPATHH digital platform. Supporting programs include Monthly Huddles (Heroes Huddle), Post-Traumatic Growth Workshops, and the Struggle Well Training program. The foundation also produces documentary content including the 'Coming Home' film and supports Boulder Crest Foundation's 'Struggle To Strength' film series. Fundraising events include Race For A Soldier, Swing For A Soldier, Prayer Breakfast, and Pull For A Soldier. The foundation expanded its offerings to include creative workshops (Permission To Start Painting), equine therapy retreats, and spouse-focused events (Matters of the Heart). The organization is a member of the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network and partners with Boulder Crest Foundation and Avalon Action Alliance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Warrior PATHH A transformative, lifelong Post-Traumatic Growth-based training program for combat veterans and first responders. The training begins with a 7-day on-site initiation followed by 18 months of training delivered through the myPATHH platform. No clinical diagnosis required to attend.
• Heroes Huddle (Monthly Huddles) Monthly peer-support meetings welcoming warriors and first responders to meet them where they are. Provides ongoing connection and community support to those who experience trauma.
• Post-Traumatic Growth Workshops Workshops focusing on healthy and life-affirming tools that develop self-regulation rather than self-medication. Designed to help growth and hope coexist with grief and trauma.
• Struggle Well Training A prevention-focused program based on the science of Posttraumatic Growth. A 1-day course enabling participants to prepare, practice, and implement an individualized plan for personal growth by transforming struggle into strength, based on five areas of growth.
• Equine Assisted Growth Retreat For Couples A hands-on workshop with horses led by Julie Sole, MA; LMHC. Couples learn to recognize dysregulation and develop tools for self-regulation, addressing consent versus submission, setting boundaries, and connecting with oneself, spouse, and others.
• Permission To Start Painting Workshops Creative workshops promoting healing of the brain and spirit through artistic expression. Open to veterans, law enforcement, first responders, and their families. Led by Heather Pasley from The Heart Gallery.
• Coming Home (Film) A documentary film about what happens after the uniform comes off, exploring the invisible battles many veterans and first responders face during transition out of service or in the face of trauma. Made possible by the Names Family Foundation, in collaboration with Wayfaring Footlights and Westbound Films.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 warriors served in the Pacific Northwest since launching Warrior PATHH locally
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, significant, supporting and minor.

• Boulder Crest FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Boulder Crest Foundation is the parent organization behind the Warrior PATHH (Progressive and Alternative Training for Healing Heroes) program. The Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation operates as a licensed delivery partner of the Warrior PATHH program in the Pacific Northwest, receiving program authorization and ongoing support. The foundation also leverages Boulder Crest's myPATHH platform and mobile app for post-program alumni support.
• Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation is a proud member of the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network, a nationwide network of care sites providing treatment to veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD and TBI. The Avalon Network, launched in 2021, plans to establish 20 treatment sites across the country.
• Avalon Action AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Avalon Action Alliance enables the delivery of Warrior PATHH training in the Pacific Northwest. This partnership has significantly expanded the foundation's reach and operational capacity in the PNW region, providing both male and female combat veteran and first responder cohorts.
• Tom Taylor YMCAsignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerTom Taylor YMCA serves as the host venue for the annual Race For A Soldier event. The YMCA's ongoing support in hosting this event year after year is a key enabler of the foundation's largest annual fundraising and awareness event.
• Chapel Hill ChurchsignificantGTM or Marketing PartnerChapel Hill Church in Gig Harbor hosts the foundation's annual Prayer Breakfast event, providing the venue and supporting community engagement for this key annual gathering.
• Subaru of Puyallup / Harnish Auto Family / Best Western Wesley Inn / Washington Water ServicesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerKey presenting sponsors for the foundation's Race For A Soldier and Prayer Breakfast events, providing financial support that enables event operations and fundraising.
• Spikes K9 FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpikes K9 Fund is a veteran-founded nonprofit that provides gear for service dogs and after-care for working dogs. Founder James Hatch is a speaker and advocate who has participated in foundation events, connecting veteran K-9 communities.
• USO NorthwestsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerUSO Northwest is a long-standing partner of the foundation, sharing an executive message about service members and families at foundation events since the organization's inception.
• Morso BistrominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMorso Bistro in Gig Harbor partners with the foundation for special VIP events such as the Christmas at Morso fundraiser, providing dining space and culinary support for fundraising gatherings.
• The Heart GalleryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Heart Gallery in Burien, WA provided the artist and creative direction for the foundation's Permission To Start Painting workshops — art therapy sessions for veterans and first responders. Led by owner Heather Pasley.
• Boulder Crest Foundation (Struggle To Strength film series)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerThe foundation promotes Boulder Crest's Struggle To Strength film series, including 'On Duty,' 'Reborn,' and 'Breakthrough,' as well as the documentary 'Transformed By Trauma,' to spread awareness of post-traumatic growth among its community.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Headstrong Project: Headstrong Project provides cost-free, confidential mental health treatment to veterans and their families. It overlaps with PTSD Foundation's peer-led, strength-based approach to veteran mental health and competes for the same donor and participant pool.
• Gary Sinise Foundation: Operates the Avalon Network of care sites for veterans and first responders with PTSD and TBI. PTSD Foundation is a member of this network, making Gary Sinise Foundation both a network operator and the most directly comparable peer in mission and program design.
• America's Warrior Partnership: America's Warrior Partnership empowers veterans and service members through community-based partnerships and programs. It is comparable to PTSD Foundation in its focus on connecting veterans to support networks and addressing post-service mental health challenges.
• Avalon Action Alliance: Avalon Action Alliance is a strategic partner that enables delivery of Warrior PATHH in the Pacific Northwest. It serves overlapping cohorts (combat veterans and first responders) using co-developed trauma treatment programs, making it a directly comparable delivery-side peer.
• Semper Fi & America's Fund: Semper Fi & America's Fund delivers integrated, holistic support to injured and critically ill service members, veterans, and their families, including mental health programs. Comparable mission, similar donor-supported model, and overlapping beneficiary base with PTSD Foundation.
• Boulder Crest Foundation: Boulder Crest Foundation is the originator of the Warrior PATHH program and myPATHH platform that PTSD Foundation delivers in the Pacific Northwest. The two organizations are operationally linked through a licensing partnership, share curriculum and outcomes methodology, and address the same veteran and first-responder mental-health population.

Broad incumbents

• Team Rubicon: Team Rubicon mobilizes veterans to serve communities through disaster response and provides mental health and resiliency programming. It is a broader incumbent serving the same veteran population with overlapping wellness and peer-support themes.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Wounded Warrior Project is one of the largest national nonprofits serving post-9/11 wounded veterans, with a broad portfolio including mental health and wellness programs. It competes for donor dollars and veteran mindshare even though it is not niche-focused on a single therapeutic modality.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): DAV is a large established veteran service organization providing benefits assistance and rehabilitation programs. While it is a broader incumbent than PTSD Foundation, it serves the same core veteran population and competes for charitable donations.

Regional players

• USO Northwest: USO Northwest is a regional arm of the USO and a long-standing partner of PTSD Foundation, supporting service members and families in the Pacific Northwest. It overlaps on geography and mission but its portfolio centers on family-readiness and transition support rather than clinical-equivalent mental health.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Permissiontostartdreaming
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/permission-to-start-dreaming-foundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation