Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness

What Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness does

The Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness (IMVFW) is a private nonprofit research institute housed within The University of Texas at Austin, jointly operated by Dell Medical School's Department of Health Social Work and the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. Founded in 2018 by Dr. Elisa Borah, IMVFW conducts research and develops evidence-based programs for military and veteran families, with its operational arm, the Veteran Spouse Network (VSN, founded 2016), delivering free peer support services including the Veteran Spouse Resiliency Group (V-SRG), Social Club, EmpowerEd seminars, Suicide Prevention Training, and Peer 2 Peer Connect. The institute's core technology is a curriculum-based peer support model grounded in SAMHSA's 8 Dimensions of Wellness framework, supplemented by research programs such as the REACH randomized study at Fort Hood, the Military & Veteran Spouse Wellness Survey (MVSWS), and the Understanding Alcohol Treatment Outcomes study at Fort Hood and Fort Carson. Evaluation data show 100% of V-SRG participants improved in at least one well-being domain and 95% reported increased social support.

IMVFW's business model is grant-funded philanthropy: all programs are free to participants, and revenue is assembled from federal research grants (DoD CDMRP, PCORI, VA Patient Safety Center of Inquiry), state grants (Texas Health and Human Services), corporate philanthropy (PMI U.S., Chevron), and university affiliation. Distribution is hybrid — virtual nationwide via VSN, with targeted in-person programs at partnered military installations (Fort Hood/Fort Cavazos, Fort Carson). The go-to-market motion is community-led, recruiting through partnerships with 15+ military and veteran-serving organizations and reaching military and veteran spouses through peer support, research participation, and an annual Military Social Work & Behavioral Health Conference. The organization operates with 8 core staff plus affiliate faculty, holds no patents or commercial product revenue, and is recognized through awards including the 2024 Texas Suicide Prevention Council Outstanding Military and Veteran Partner Award and 2021 Gold Medal designation for UT Austin as Best Texas School for Veterans.

Name

Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness

Legal name

Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness

Website

https://imvfw.utexas.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness (IMVFW) is a UT Austin–affiliated nonprofit research institute that designs, evaluates, and delivers free, evidence-based peer support programs for military and veteran spouses and families, funded primarily through federal and state grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Military and Veteran Family Wellness Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAHAL

Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services

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

SECONDARYHLAJAAAI

Military & Veterans Public Health Departments

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Public Health, Government & Regulators/Public Health Agencies & Health Departments

SECONDARYEDAAAOAH

Veterans & Military-to-Civilian Transition Programs

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Workforce Development Initiatives

Keywords

• Military family wellness
• Veteran spouse programs
• Peer support groups
• Behavioral health research
• Community engagement programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Federal Research Grants: Primary funding from federal agencies including Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), and VA Patient Safety Center of Inquiry for conducting research studies and program evaluations.
2. State Government Grants: Funding from Texas Health and Human Services through programs like the Texas Veterans + Family Alliance Grant Program for program implementation and evaluation.
3. Corporate Philanthropy: Support from corporate sponsors like Chevron for conference sponsorship and program support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness (IMVFW) conducts innovative research, develops and tests programs, and shares proven practices that strengthen military and veteran families nationwide. Through its Veteran Spouse Network (VSN), IMVFW delivers free, evidence-based peer support programs including the Veteran Spouse Resiliency Group, Social Club, EmpowerEd seminars, Suicide Prevention Training, and Peer 2 Peer Connect. The institute also provides research, program evaluation, and training/consulting services to military and veteran-serving organizations.

Product overview

The Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness (IMVFW) operates as a research-driven organization that designs, tests, and delivers programs strengthening support networks for military and veteran families. The core product is the Veteran Spouse Network (VSN), which encompasses multiple peer support programs including the Veteran Spouse Resiliency Group (V-SRG), Social Club, EmpowerEd, Suicide Prevention Training, and Peer 2 Peer Connect. Research initiatives include the REACH Study, Military & Veteran Spouse Wellness Survey, and Alcohol Treatment Outcomes study. The organization also provides training and consulting services for partner organizations, and hosts an annual Military Social Work & Behavioral Health Conference. All programs are free of charge, grounded in evidence-based practices, and continuously evaluated.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Veteran Spouse Network (VSN): A program under IMVFW that empowers military and veteran families through free, proven support programs that foster community connection, build practical wellness strategies, and help families thrive through every challenge and transition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of V-SRG participants improved in at least one well-being domain, 95% reported increased social support, 74% engaged in more self-care behaviors, 100% would recommend the program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VA Patient Safety Center of InquirycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative on suicide prevention research and community-based interventions linking VHA and local partners to reach veterans outside VHA care.
• InDependentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner for military spouse wellness collaborating on the Military & Veteran Spouse Wellness Survey and supplemental analyses, co-developing research and wellness resources.
• Cohen Veterans NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner providing access to Cohen Military Family Clinics for program implementation and evaluation partnerships.
• Blue Star FamiliescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary family advocacy organization partner supporting research collaboration and community outreach to military families nationwide.
• Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner on military family food insecurity study, conducting interviews with military and veteran families to examine causal factors of food insecurity.
• K9s for WarriorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConference sponsor and program partner providing service dog support resources for veteran families.
• Military Veteran Peer NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexas-based peer support network partner collaborating on veteran mental health and suicide prevention initiatives.
• EndeavorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Endeavors for program evaluation and community-based veteran services in Killeen, TX.
• III Armored Corps / Fort Cavazos (Fort Hood)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary installation partner hosting the REACH peer support study and providing access to active-duty Army spouses and families for research participation.
• Carl R. Darnall Army Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary medical center partner for alcohol treatment outcomes research and healthcare provider collaboration.
• Texas Veterans CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState veterans commission partner supporting veteran services, program development, and recognition initiatives.
• Hire Heroes USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeteran employment organization partner providing referral resources for veteran family members seeking career support.
• Strong Star Training InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining initiative partner for evidence-based behavioral health treatment and military social work education.
• Rocky Mountain MIRECCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVA Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center partner for suicide prevention research collaboration.
• Samaritan CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing behavioral health and support services for military and veteran families.
• Florida Atlantic UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaborator on veteran-driven TBI research roadmap engaging veterans with TBI, caregivers, and stakeholders in patient-centered outcomes research.
• Air & Space Forces Association (AFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted ENGAGE @ AFA: Wellness on the Homefront event featuring MVSWS data release with panel discussions and breakout sessions for military family stakeholders.
• Chris Kyle Frog FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to develop and pilot Mastering Your Marriage program for veteran couples addressing relationship quality, communication, and PTSD symptoms.
• Seton Ascension (Ascension Texas)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partner for Restore Program implementing CPT, DBT, and Resilient Yoga for veterans with PTSD through Intensive Outpatient Program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Blue Star Families: Largest military family support nonprofit in the US, conducting its own annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey and operating spouse/family programs. Directly comparable to IMVFW's research-plus-program model for military families and a current strategic partner.
• STRONG STAR PTSD Research Consortium: Multi-site DoD-funded consortium conducting PTSD treatment research for service members and veterans. Comparable research-to-practice pipeline; IMVFW's director previously led research at the Fort Hood STRONG STAR site.
• InDependent: Nonprofit focused on wellness and connection for military spouses, including the InDependent Wellness Summit. Comparable because it provides community-based wellness programs to the same target persona and co-developed the MVSWS with IMVFW.
• Cohen Veterans Network: Operates Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics providing mental health care to veterans and family members, including spouses. Comparable because it delivers clinical and peer support to the same military/veteran family population and is a current IMVFW implementation partner.
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): Provides peer-based emotional support and resources to military families surviving the loss of a service member or veteran. Comparable because of its peer support model for military families and its evaluation-driven program approach.
• Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN): Conducts research and policy advocacy for military families using surveys and lived-experience panels. Directly comparable to IMVFW's MVSWS-style research approach and is a current research partner on IMVFW's food insecurity study.
• Elizabeth Dole Foundation: National leader in supporting military and veteran caregivers (including spouses) through Hidden Heroes and policy advocacy. Directly comparable target population and spouse/caregiver wellness focus.

Emerging players

• PsychArmor Institute: Provides free military culture and suicide prevention training to civilian professionals serving veterans and families. Comparable because of overlapping audience and suicide prevention curriculum, though PsychArmor focuses on training delivery rather than research.

Broad incumbents

• RAND Corporation: Major research institution with a Center for Military Health Policy Research producing influential studies on military families and veterans. Comparable research orientation but at substantially larger scope, including policy analysis and quantitative survey work.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Large national VSO providing physical, mental, and financial programs to wounded veterans and their families, including spouse/family support programs. Comparable mission area but vastly larger scale and broader scope than IMVFW's research-led niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/imvfw

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness