The Independence Fund
The Independence Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 and headquartered in Charlotte, NC, serving catastrophically wounded combat Veterans, Caregivers, families, and Wartime Allies through mobility, mental health, caregiver, advocacy, and casework programs funded entirely by charitable donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersCharlotte, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Independence Fund does
The Independence Fund is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization founded in 2007 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It serves the Warfighter Community — specifically catastrophically wounded combat Veterans, their Caregivers, families, and Wartime Allies who served alongside U.S. servicemembers — through a portfolio of approximately nine programs spanning mobility, mental health and suicide prevention, caregiver and family support, advocacy, and casework. The hallmark Mobility Program provides all-terrain trackchairs and adaptive equipment, while the Caregiver & Family Program, Family Program, Operation Resilience, Veterans Justice Initiative, Advocacy Program, Casework Program, Independence@Home, and TIF Tactical collectively address the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of the beneficiary population.
The organization operates without proprietary technology. Its digital infrastructure is built on Shopify for merchandise and web presence, with GoFundMe Classy (GoFundMe Pro) processing online donations. All programs and services are provided free of charge to eligible Veterans and families; the organization has no product pricing model and generates no commercial revenue.
The Independence Fund is funded entirely through charitable contributions. Revenue streams include individual donations (one-time and recurring via the Everyday Heroes Alliance monthly giving program), corporate matching gift programs, payroll deduction through the NC SECC (Charity Code #4134) and Combined Federal Campaign (#33594), Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs, estate gifts and bequests, and the PayPal Giving Fund. The go-to-market motion is community-led and donor-driven, relying on direct digital engagement, storytelling around Veterans' journeys, community events (Wounded Heroes Day, Alive Day), and the 'Hero at Home' educational classroom kit to drive donor acquisition and retention. The organization has 41 employees and is led by CEO Sarah Verardo, who assumed the role in 2017 and brings personal experience as a caregiver to a catastrophically wounded Veteran.
The Independence Fund firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Independence Fund
- Legal name
- The Independence Fund
- Website
- https://independencefund.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Independence Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 and headquartered in Charlotte, NC, serving catastrophically wounded combat Veterans, Caregivers, families, and Wartime Allies through mobility, mental health, caregiver, advocacy, and casework programs funded entirely by charitable donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Independence Fund industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Veterans Services
- NAICS
- Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA), Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH)
Keywords
Where The Independence Fund is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Charlotte
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Independence Fund business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: The organization generates revenue primarily through individual donations received via online donation portal, mail-in checks, and recurring monthly contributions through the Everyday Heroes Alliance monthly giving program.
- Corporate Matching Gifts: Corporate matching gift programs where employers match employee charitable contributions, effectively doubling individual donor impact.
- Payroll Deduction Programs: North Carolina state employees can donate via NC SECC payroll deduction (Charity Code #4134). Federal employees donate through Combined Federal Campaign (#33594).
- Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): Tax-efficient donations from IRAs for donors age 70½ or older, counting toward annual Required Minimum Distributions. EIN: 26-0322088.
- Estate Gifts and Planned Giving: Bequests through wills or living trusts, beneficiary designations on life insurance or retirement accounts.
- PayPal Giving Fund: Donations processed through PayPal Giving Fund for supporters who prefer that payment platform.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
The Independence Fund product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Independence Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free programs and services to catastrophically wounded combat Veterans, their Caregivers, families, and Wartime Allies. Its offerings span mobility equipment (all-terrain trackchairs), mental health and suicide prevention support, caregiver and family respite/therapy, federal and state advocacy with the VA and legislators, and casework assistance navigating benefits. All services are funded through charitable donations raised via online and offline channels.
Product overview
The Independence Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2007 that serves the Warfighter Community. Rather than a software product company, The Independence Fund offers a portfolio of programs and services aimed at fostering the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual independence of servicemembers, combat Veterans, their Caregivers, families, and Allies who served in combat. The core programs include the Mobility Program (providing equipment like all-terrain trackchairs), Caregiver & Family Program, Family Program (art therapy and aftercare), and Advocacy Program (lobbying on Capitol Hill). Additional programs include Operation Resilience, Veterans Justice Initiative (VJI), Casework Program, Independence@Home, and TIF Tactical. The organization also publishes educational resources including the Hero at Home book and classroom kits authored by CEO Sarah Verardo.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mobility Program Provides catastrophically wounded Veterans with equipment such as all-terrain trackchairs, as well as opportunities to take back their physical independence.
- Caregiver & Family Program Serves the Caregivers of Veterans by providing resources, opportunities for respite, community and connection, peer-to-peer support, and empowerment.
- Family Program Provides opportunities for families of catastrophically wounded Veterans to engage in specialized activities alongside their peers, focusing on art therapy, respite, and comprehensive individual aftercare tailored to each family.
- Advocacy Program Fights on Capitol Hill to ensure the ongoing needs of Veterans are met, advocating with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, government agencies, legislators, and allied partners at federal and state levels.
- Operation Resilience A program designed to support the resilience and recovery of Veterans and their families facing challenges.
- Veterans Justice Initiative (VJI) Assists Veterans who have recently become justice-involved, providing support and resources to help them navigate the legal system and access Veterans' benefits.
- Casework Program Provides direct, one-on-one assistance with a Casework coordinator to Veterans, Caregivers, and families for navigating benefits and resources.
- Independence@Home A program focused on supporting Veterans and their families in maintaining independence within their homes.
- TIF Tactical A specialized program within The Independence Fund's portfolio of Veteran support services.
- Hero at Home A book authored by CEO Sarah Verardo in 2018 to introduce preschool and elementary-aged children to the realities that families of wounded Veterans know. Provides age-appropriate education about America's wounded heroes.
- Hero at Home Classroom Kit A free digital classroom kit that includes the audiobook, classroom engagement worksheets, and the ability to write a letter to thank a wounded Veteran. Includes an at-home resource kit option for families.
Quantifiable outcome
- SGT Michael Verardo underwent 120 surgeries following IED injuries in Afghanistan
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Independence Fund
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Independence Fund technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Independence Fund partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Independence Fund competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Fisher House Foundation: Provides free housing for military and Veteran families near treatment facilities. Overlaps with TIF's family-centered mission and casework navigation, particularly for families of catastrophically wounded Veterans receiving extended care.
- Team Rubicon: Veteran-led disaster response organization. Shares the Veteran beneficiary base and community-driven service model, but focuses on humanitarian/disaster response rather than catastrophic injury support.
- Hire Heroes USA: Provides free veteran job search and transition support. Overlaps with TIF's Casework and transition support offerings, though focused specifically on employment outcomes rather than holistic family care.
Broad incumbents
- USO (United Service Organizations): Long-established military support nonprofit serving active-duty service members and their families globally. Overlaps on morale, family, and wellness support, but operates at much broader scale and across the entire military community.
Direct peers
- Wounded Warrior Project: The largest US nonprofit serving post-9/11 wounded Veterans, providing mental health, career, and physical wellness programs. Directly comparable mission, donor base, and service portfolio, though operating at materially larger scale.
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Long-established Veteran Service Organization providing benefits navigation, advocacy, and transition support. Highly comparable beneficiary base and mission focus, with strong federal advocacy presence.
- Gary Sinise Foundation: Founded by actor Gary Sinise, this nonprofit serves defenders, Veterans, first responders, and their families through entertainment, mobility, and family programs. Closely aligned mission and family-centered model.
- Travis Mills Foundation: Founded by a recalibrated Veteran, this foundation serves recalibrated Veterans and their families through retreats and support programs. Closely comparable beneficiary niche and family-oriented model.
- Semper Fi & America's Fund: Provides immediate financial support and lifelong assistance to critically wounded, ill, and injured service members and families. Directly comparable catastrophic-injury focus and family-centric programming.
- Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): The leading post-9/11 Veteran empowerment organization, providing advocacy, community, and services. Comparable donor base, advocacy function, and beneficiary definition.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Independence Fund social profiles
Digital presenceThe Independence Fund compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Independence Fund financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Independence Fund leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Independence Fund funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Independence Fund 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 The Independence Fund
What does The Independence Fund do?
The Independence Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free programs and services to catastrophically wounded combat Veterans, their Caregivers, families, and Wartime Allies. Its offerings span mobility equipment (all-terrain trackchairs), mental health and suicide prevention support, caregiver and family respite/therapy, federal and state advocacy with the VA and legislators, and casework assistance navigating benefits. All services are funded through charitable donations raised via online and offline channels.
Is The Independence Fund a public or private company?
The Independence Fund is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Independence Fund founded?
The Independence Fund was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Independence Fund based?
The Independence Fund is headquartered in Charlotte, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Independence Fund make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Matching Gifts, payroll Deduction Programs, qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), estate Gifts and Planned Giving and payPal Giving Fund.
Who are The Independence Fund's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Fisher House Foundation, Team Rubicon and Hire Heroes USA. USO (United Service Organizations) is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Gary Sinise Foundation, Travis Mills Foundation, Semper Fi & America's Fund and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).
Does The Independence Fund have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Independence Fund.
What industry is The Independence Fund in?
The Independence Fund's product category is Veterans Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAA, Private Foundations. Its NAICS code is 624230 and its SIC code is 8300.