Helping Hands for Freedom

What Helping Hands for Freedom does

Helping Hands for Freedom (HHFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 26-3084550) founded in 2008 by Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient Patrick Shannon (USMC, wounded in Iraq and treated at Walter Reed) and former NFL player Rodney Smith. The organization delivers emergency financial assistance and life enrichment programming to military, veteran, and Gold Star families of the fallen, wounded, and deployed across four U.S. states (Arizona, Indiana, Colorado, and Florida). The core offering is the Life Needs Financial Assistance Program, which covers mortgage or lease payments, vehicle payments, utilities, and insurance bills, limited to once per year per service member or spouse. This is paired with the Life Enrichment Program, which provides experience-based support such as sports event tickets, amusement and wildlife park visits, holiday assistance, and youth camps and mentorship for military children.

HHFF does not operate a proprietary technology platform. Its digital footprint is limited to a Drupal-based website for donations, event registration, and newsletter sign-ups, supported by third-party partners (e.g., Rapid Web Creations, Simplified Networks, Pay-Tech for donation processing). The product portfolio is a portfolio of charitable programs rather than software: the Emergency Financial Assistance Program, Life Enrichment Programs, the signature Heroes Golf Classic fundraiser, Route for the Brave (a 3,091-mile cross-country awareness walk along U.S. Route 40), the planned House of Healing retreat for Gold Star families and veterans with PTSD, the Holiday Angel Program, and Sports & Education Camps for military children.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable contributions, with no products or services sold. Five documented streams are: (1) individual donations via online portal, check, and recurring 'Adopt A Veteran' giving; (2) corporate and event sponsorships with tiers from $25 (Banana Pudding) to $850 (Playa Platinum); (3) foundation grants (e.g., $27,416 from BHHS Legacy Foundation in March 2025, $10,000 from Thunderbirds Charities in 2020); (4) planned and legacy giving vehicles (Charitable Remainder Trust, Gift Annuity Agreement, Pooled Income Fund); and (5) passive affiliate revenue from Amazon Smiles and Kroger-family Community Rewards programs. Go-to-market is event-driven, anchored by the annual Heroes Golf Classic, bowling tournaments, galas, and Route for the Brave, supplemented by referral pipelines through more than 50 corporate partners, state veterans agencies, and veteran service organizations.

Name

Helping Hands for Freedom

Legal name

Helping Hands for Freedom

Website

https://helpinghandsforfreedom.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Helping Hands for Freedom is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2008 that provides emergency financial assistance and life enrichment programs to military, veteran, and Gold Star families across Arizona, Indiana, Colorado, and Florida.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Military and Veteran Family Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAHAL

Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Defense & National Security

SECONDARYBPAGAEAK

Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYBPAGACAG

Disability Services & Independent Living Support

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

Keywords

• Military family assistance
• Emergency financial aid
• Veteran support services
• Nonprofit fundraising events
• Gold Star family programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue stream from individual donors contributing emergency financial assistance funds. Donations can be made online via the website portal, by check, or through monthly recurring gift programs (Adopt A Veteran).
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor events such as the Heroes Golf Classic, bowling tournaments, and galas. Sponsorship tiers range from $25 to $850 for individual event sponsorships.
3. Foundation Grants: Grant funding from foundations such as BHHS Legacy Foundation ($27,416 grant in 2025) and Thunderbirds Charities ($10,000 in 2020) to support Life Needs programs.
4. Planned and Legacy Giving: Legacy programs including Planned Giving, Deferred Giving, Charitable Remainder Trust, Gift Annuity Agreement, and Pooled Income Fund for long-term sustainable donations.
5. Affiliate Programs: Affiliate partnerships where companies like Amazon Smiles, Kroger, King Soopers, and Fry's Food contribute a portion of sales when customers designate HHFF as their charity.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Helping Hands for Freedom is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides emergency financial assistance to military, veteran, and Gold Star families for housing, utilities, vehicle payments, and insurance, alongside life-enrichment experiences such as camps, sports events, amusement park visits, and holiday programs for military children. All assistance is delivered at no cost to qualifying families and is funded entirely through donations, sponsorships, grants, and fundraising events.

Product overview

Helping Hands for Freedom is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering a portfolio of support programs for military, veteran, and Gold Star families. The core offerings consist of an Emergency Financial Assistance Program (covering mortgage/rent, utilities, vehicle payments, and insurance) and Life Enrichment Programs (including Gold Star family experiences, sports events, and entertainment). Signature programs include the annual Heroes Golf Classic fundraising event, the Route for the Brave cross-country awareness walk, the Warriors Gala awards ceremony, the Holiday Angel Program for seasonal assistance, and Sports & Education Camps for military children. The organization does not operate as a technology platform but as a charitable service provider.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Life Needs Program: Emergency financial assistance program for military, veteran, and Gold Star families covering mortgage/lease payments, car payments, utility and insurance bills
• Life Enrichment Programs
• Route for the Brave
• House of Healing

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 140,000 at-risk children served, including over 3,500 military children and families
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

50 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Scott Roofing CompanycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 March 2022Scott Roofing Company became the title sponsor of the Helping Hands for Freedom Heroes Golf Classic. The company, celebrating its 40th anniversary, has been a long-time supporter helping fund Gold Star family outings and organizational operations.
• WalmartcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor corporate partner supporting HHFF through employee giving programs and event sponsorship. Co-founder Patrick Shannon previously worked at Walmart while managing his recovery from combat injuries.
• Arizona CardinalscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNFL team partnership providing event tickets and holiday toy drives for military families. Arizona Cardinals host events and donate tickets to HHFF families.
• Phoenix SunscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNBA team partnership supporting military family programs through ticket donations and community events.
• Indiana PacerscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNBA team partnership supporting HHFF Indiana operations through event sponsorship and community engagement.
• Arizona DiamondbackscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMLB team partnership hosting military families at games. Over 320 military families attended July 4th celebration at Chase Field.
• Cincinnati RedsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMLB team partnership supporting military family events and recognition programs.
• Horseshoe IndianapoliscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCasino and racing facility supporting HHFF Indiana events and galas. Presented the 2016 and 2017 Heroes Gala events.
• Lincoln Heritage Life InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLife insurance company partnership supporting veteran and military family causes.
• AMVetscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans service organization partnership providing referral network and collaborative program development for military families.
• Arizona Department of Veterans ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government partnership for veteran services coordination and referral programs.
• Indiana Department of Veterans AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government partnership for Indiana veteran services coordination.
• CW7minorGTM or Marketing PartnerArizona-based company supporting HHFF events and programs.
• Zink DistributingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDistribution partner supporting HHFF events and fundraising activities.
• Oak CraftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business partner supporting HHFF programs.
• Evan Williams BourbonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage partner supporting HHFF events and galas.
• Rummel Construction, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerConstruction company partnership supporting HHFF.
• EC70minorGTM or Marketing PartnerArizona-based organization supporting HHFF events.
• PingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf equipment company supporting golf tournament events.
• CPI PetsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPet-related partner supporting HHFF programs.
• Emerald DispensaryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArizona dispensary supporting HHFF events.
• Spinato's PizzeriaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArizona restaurant providing food donations and support for HHFF events.
• AT&T VetsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAT&T military veteran employee program partnership.
• Pay-TechminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPayment technology partner supporting HHFF donation processing.
• ADPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHuman resources and payroll company supporting HHFF through employee giving programs.
• FR Law GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLaw firm partnership supporting HHFF legal needs.
• DizpotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerService-disabled veteran owned small business supporting HHFF.
• Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce SWVCCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeteran chamber of commerce partnership providing networking and recognition (Lincoln Award).
• PXGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf apparel company supporting golf tournament events.
• Arizona LEOSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw enforcement support organization partnership.
• HensleyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage distributor donating beer and seltzers for golf events.
• SUMCOminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompany partnership supporting HHFF programs.
• Arizona Broadway TheatreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment venue partnership providing event tickets for military families.
• Southern GlazersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage distributor supporting HHFF galas and events.
• Lerner & RoweminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPersonal injury law firm supporting HHFF.
• SundtminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConstruction company partnership.
• Sheraton HotelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership supporting HHFF events and travel needs.
• Snell & WilmerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLaw firm providing legal support for HHFF.
• Big D SupplyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupply company supporting HHFF operations.
• VP LawminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLaw firm partnership supporting HHFF.
• Oasis Community ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partnership supporting military family programs.
• Exchange Club of ScottsdaleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService club partnership supporting HHFF events.
• Austin CommercialminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommercial partner supporting HHFF.
• Playa 2 Bar and GrillcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant hosting annual bowling and golf tournaments benefiting HHFF. Major event sponsor organizing multiple fundraising events.
• Amazon SmilescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon's charitable giving program where 0.5% of eligible purchases are donated to HHFF when customers designate them as charity.
• KrogerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrocery chain Community Rewards program where customers can designate HHFF to receive a percentage of shopping purchases.
• King SoopersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKroger-owned grocery chain Community Rewards partnership.
• Fry's FoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKroger-owned grocery chain Community Rewards partnership.
• Charity Benefits UnlimitedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity auction and fundraising support organization.
• Jessica ZaneisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndividual affiliate who donates 25% of profits from SoulCarebyCCC and SoulCare Insurplus fashion lines to HHFF. Also accepts veteran uniform donations for transformation into messenger bags.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• USO: Large established military nonprofit providing programs and services to service members and families worldwide. Overlapping mission around military family support but much broader scope including active-duty morale programs and global deployment support.

Direct peers

• Wounded Warrior Project: Largest nonprofit serving wounded veterans and their families, offering direct financial assistance, mental health programs, and long-term support. Highly comparable mission and beneficiary base to HHFF, though operates at much larger scale with broader national footprint.
• Operation Homefront: Provides emergency financial assistance, housing, and recurring support programs to military families. Directly comparable emergency financial assistance model covering rent, utilities, and food for active duty, veteran, and Gold Star families.
• Blue Star Families: Supports military families through research-driven programs addressing social isolation, financial wellness, and community building. Comparable focus on military family wellbeing with adjacent programmatic priorities.
• Fisher House Foundation: Provides free temporary lodging for military and veteran families near major medical centers, plus emergency assistance. Comparable focus on supporting families during medical/hardship events, though anchored on housing rather than direct cash assistance.
• Soldiers' Angels: Provides aid, comfort, and resources to military service members, veterans, and their families through volunteer-led programs including financial assistance, holiday support, and care packages. Directly comparable on veteran family emergency support.
• Semper Fi Fund: Provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to wounded, critically ill, and injured service members and their families. Direct comparable on veteran-focused emergency financial assistance for combat-related injuries including PTSD and TBI.
• Gary Sinise Foundation: Serves wounded veterans, first responders, and their families through financial grants, customized homes, and life enrichment programs including entertainment experiences. Strongly comparable on combined emergency assistance plus life enrichment programming.
• TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors): National nonprofit providing direct support to surviving family members of fallen military service members. Closely aligned with HHFF's Gold Star family programming including bereavement support, financial assistance, and life enrichment experiences.

Others

• Military Order of the Purple Heart: Veteran service organization advocating for combat-wounded veterans with programs including claims assistance and grants. HHFF CEO Eric Snelz received an award from this organization, indicating peer-level recognition within the veteran nonprofit ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCd4md4LGZ_j4G4yMTC6VxcA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helping-hands-for-freedom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Helping Hands for Freedom