Backpacks For Life

What Backpacks For Life does

Backpacks For Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 by Marine Corps veteran Brett D'Alessandro to address veteran homelessness and at-risk veterans' transition challenges. The organization distributes backpacks filled with essential supplies, with the patented Bowery Pack engineered specifically for homeless veterans and featuring integrated safety elements including a sleep mat, locking cable, detachable toiletry kit, whistle clip, and reflective tape. A secondary product, the ROGER platform, is a searchable veteran resource database that filters programs and services by zip code, county, and discharge status; ROGER currently serves New Jersey veterans and is expanding into New York State in 2026-2027. The organization also offers a free Veteran Business Badge program for veteran-owned businesses.

The revenue model combines product sales (the Bowery Pack is sold via a buy-one-give-one e-commerce model, with one backpack donated for each purchased), direct charitable donations, fundraising events (golf marathons, bocce tournaments), and corporate partnerships such as RISE Dispensaries' nationwide round-up campaign. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on Stand Down events, university donation drives, faith-based volunteer packing events (notably Liquid Church packing 2,700 backpacks in one campaign), and corporate volunteer days at the Verona, NJ headquarters.

Since founding, Backpacks For Life reports having distributed nearly 12,000 backpacks across 36 states and provided personalized mentorship to over 1,000 veterans. The organization holds a Charity Navigator Three-Star rating and Candid Platinum Seal, has received grants from MetLife Foundation and Bob Evans Farms, and is led by Founder Brett D'Alessandro, Executive Director Alexa D'Alessandro, and Program Manager SgtMaj. Jamie DePaola. Operating geographies span the Northeast with active distribution in NJ, NY, CT, MA, and CA.

Name

Backpacks For Life

Legal name

Backpacks for Life, Inc.

Website

https://backpacksforlife.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Backpacks For Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 that distributes patented supply-filled backpacks and operates the ROGER veteran resource platform to serve homeless and at-risk U.S. veterans across 36 states, funded through product sales, donations, grants, and event fundraising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Support Services

NAICS

Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Retailers (4583), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRAMAMAI

Backpacks, Bags & Load-Carriage Retail

Consumer Products & Retail/Sporting Goods & Outdoor Retail/Camping, Hiking & Climbing Retail

SECONDARYCRAAAJAB

Backpacks & Travel Bags

Consumer Products & Retail/Apparel, Footwear & Accessories/Accessories (Bags, Belts, Hats, Scarves, Small Leather Goods)

SECONDARYCRAMAAAI

Outdoor Travel Gear (Duffels, Packs, Dry Bags) Retail

Consumer Products & Retail/Sporting Goods & Outdoor Retail/Outdoor & Adventure Equipment Retail

Keywords

• Veteran support services
• Nonprofit backpack distribution
• Veteran resource platform
• Buy one give one
• Charitable veteran outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Jersey City, New Jersey

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Product Sales (The Bowery Pack): E-commerce sales of the patented Bowery Pack backpack. Buy-one-give-one model where every purchase results in a backpack donated to a homeless or at-risk veteran.
2. Donations: Direct monetary donations from individuals supporting the veteran mission. Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization under EIN 47-1281873.
3. Round-up Campaigns: Partnership with RISE Dispensaries for 'Round Up for Veterans' campaign where customers round up purchases to benefit the organization.
4. Event Fundraising: Golf marathons, bocce tournaments, and other fundraising events that generate contributions while honoring veterans.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Backpacks For Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that distributes backpacks filled with essential supplies to homeless and at-risk veterans. It sells the patented Bowery Pack to consumers under a buy-one-give-one model, with one backpack donated to a veteran for every pack purchased. The organization also operates ROGER, a searchable online platform that helps veterans and their families locate programs, resources, and care based on zip code, county, discharge status, and other personalized criteria.

Product overview

Backpacks For Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering two main products/services: The Bowery Pack (a patented, veteran-designed backpack with special features for homeless veterans, sold commercially with one donated per purchase) and ROGER (a veteran resource search platform helping veterans navigate services). The organization also offers a free Veteran Business Badge program for veteran-owned businesses. Every commercial backpack purchase results in a donation of a backpack to a homeless veteran.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ROGER: A comprehensive veteran resource search platform that allows NJ Veterans and their families to search for programs, resources, and care based on their specific needs, including zip code, county, discharge status, and more.
• The Bowery Pack

Products and services

• The Bowery Pack Patented backpack designed and engineered by military veterans for homeless veterans, featuring a built-in sleep mat, locking cable, detachable toiletry kit, whistle clip, and reflective tape. Sold to the public through the BFL Shop with one backpack donated to a veteran in need for every pack purchased. Marketed for travel, hiking, and everyday use.
• ROGER Comprehensive veteran resource search platform that allows veterans and their families to search for programs, resources, and care based on specific needs, filterable by zip code, county, discharge status, and other criteria. Currently serves New Jersey veterans with planned expansion to New York via the Kyle Palmieri Foundation partnership.
• Veteran Business Badge Free exclusive badge program for veteran-owned businesses to display their veteran status. Business owners complete a survey and receive custom business badges in both flat and distressed finishes for use on business products and marketing materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 12,000 backpacks distributed to veterans across 36 states
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Kyle Palmieri FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026Partnership to expand ROGER platform to Long Island, NY. First step in ROGER expansion into New York State. Expected launch Summer 2026 with plans to expand across NY throughout 2027.
• ROGER (Veteran Resource Platform)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComprehensive veteran resource search platform created by BFL to help veterans navigate resources based on zip code, county, discharge status and more. Currently serves NJ veterans with expansion to New York.
• The Homeless Period ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to provide menstrual products and support for female homeless veterans. Partnership to develop backpacks specifically for female veterans.
• Liquid ChurchmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with 6-campus church in NJ that packed 2,700 backpacks as part of their #LiquidLoveWeek campaign. Major volunteer force for backpack packing.
• M&T BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer team that helped sort donations, pack backpacks, and assemble toiletry kits at BFL storage facility.
• FortitudeReminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer team that participated in spring volunteer days to help with backpack preparation.
• RISE DispensariesmajorGTM or Marketing Partner'Round Up for Veterans' campaign where customers round up purchases to support BFL and Stop Soldier Suicide. Campaign runs at all participating RISE locations nationwide.
• Spiral BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking app partnership where Spiral members can choose to contribute to BFL monthly as a partner charity.
• UConn Catholic CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStudent volunteers organized multiple donation drives, packing 50-100+ backpacks for Connecticut veterans.
• VFW Post 2294minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated 35 backpacks to VFW Post 2294 and NJ Reentry Corporation for Veterans Outreach Event.
• NJ Reentry CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Veterans Outreach Event in Jersey City with backpack donation.
• GoogleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted packing event at Google HQ in NYC, packing 75 female toiletry kits for female veterans.
• AJ PerriminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHVAC company that donated new HVAC systems to 3 veterans in need through BFL connection.
• State FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for #NeighborhoodOfGood campaign at PNC Bank Arts Center concerts. Concert-goers wrote letters of gratitude for veterans to be included in backpacks.
• The Veteran TokenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership announced in 2021 for veteran support services.
• Marine Corps University FoundationmajorOthersSelected founder Brett D'Alessandro as finalist for General Al Gray Jr. National Service and Education Award.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/backpacksforlife
• Instagraminstagram.com/backpacksforlife
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/backpacksforlife

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Backpacks For Life