Thanks To Yanks

What Thanks To Yanks does

Thanks To Yanks is a non-political 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 by Michael Shain in Milford, Massachusetts. Originally established as a one-time 9/11 Tribute Dinner to recognize military families, the organization has evolved into a multi-program veteran support entity operating across Massachusetts and Connecticut. The organization is entirely volunteer-run, with a Board of Directors and community volunteers delivering all programs and no paid staff. Its core service portfolio includes the annual 9/11 Tribute Dinner (free recognition event for military members, veterans, families, and emergency responders), the Hope for Heroes Campaign (annual donation drive collecting items for homeless veterans and deployed troops), care package programs for deployed service members (supporting 1,000+ annually), holiday stocking stuffer programs for military children (serving 700-900+ children), and recurring visits to VA hospitals (Brockton and Bedford) and Massachusetts veteran shelters. Fundraising events including Beer&Bacon, Comedy Nights, All-You-Can-Eat Breakfasts, and the Never Forget 5 Miler Run generate supplementary revenue.

The organization's revenue model is donation-dependent, with no commercial products or services sold. Revenue streams include individual donations (via PayPal, mail, and in-person at events), corporate sponsorships from local businesses, small-ticket fundraising events ($5-$25 admission), and AmazonSmile passive affiliate contributions. The organization reports that over 93% of funds raised go directly to mission activities. It maintains strategic partnerships with Naval Submarine Base New London, Massachusetts National Guard, Blue Star Mothers of Eastern MA, Wreaths Across America, Honor Flight New England, and the New England Patriots Foundation, among other community and corporate partners. Geographic scope is regional, confined to the New England area.

There is no proprietary technology platform underlying the organization's operations. Digital infrastructure is limited to a WordPress website, Mailchimp email communications, PayPal donation processing, AmazonSmile affiliate participation, and standard social media accounts. The organization has received multiple recognitions including the 2018 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award from the New England Patriots Foundation, the Seven Seals Award from ESGR (2016), the VA New England Recognition Award (2016), and the Marine Corps League Gung Ho Community Service Award (2015).

Name

Thanks To Yanks

Legal name

Thanks To Yanks

Website

https://thankstoyanks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Thanks To Yanks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 in Milford, Massachusetts that supports U.S. military members, veterans, and their families through volunteer-delivered programs including the annual 9/11 Tribute Dinner, care packages for deployed troops, and donation drives for homeless veterans across Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran and Military Family Support Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Veterans & Military Family Benefits Administration (BPAIAKAI)

Keywords

• Veteran support services
• Military family programs
• Care package donations
• Nonprofit veteran assistance
• Military community outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Milford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Accepts monetary donations from individuals via PayPal on website, mail-in donations, and at events. Tax-deductible contributions supporting the organization mission.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Local businesses and corporations sponsor events and campaigns such as the Hope for Heroes Donation Drive. Red, White, and Blue level sponsors for annual 9/11 Tribute Dinner.
3. Fundraising Events: Revenue from fundraising events including Beer&Bacon events ($25 admission), Comedy Nights ($20/person), All-You-Can-Eat Breakfasts ($8/person, $5/child), and Bottle and Can Drives.
4. AmazonSmile: Percentage of purchases from AmazonSmile shoppers who select Thanks To Yanks as their charity. Tax ID: 46-5463443.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Thanks To Yanks is a non-political 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers programs supporting military service members, veterans, and their families. Its core offerings include annual recognition events (such as the 9/11 Tribute Dinner), donation drives (Hope for Heroes Campaign), care package shipments to deployed troops, holiday programs for military children, and direct support for homeless veterans at shelters and VA hospitals. All programs are operated by an all-volunteer Board of Directors and community volunteers, with more than 93% of funds raised directed to mission activities.

Product overview

Thanks To Yanks is a non-political 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of programs supporting military members, veterans, and their families. The core offerings include the annual 9/11 Tribute Dinner (a free dinner for military and veterans), the Hope for Heroes Campaign (donation drives for homeless veterans and deployed troops), care package programs for deployed service members, and holiday stocking stuffer programs for military children. The organization also runs various fundraisers including the Beer&Bacon Event, Comedy Night, and All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast. Volunteer programs enable community members to participate in events, grant writing, and outreach. This is not a technology platform but a charitable service organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 9/11 Tribute Dinner Annual free dinner that recognizes the sacrifices of military members, veterans, their families, and emergency response personnel, honoring the heroes and victims of 9/11/01. The event grew from 120 guests in 2006 to 450+ guests by 2018.
• Hope for Heroes Campaign Annual donation drive that collects essential items for homeless veterans residing at Massachusetts Veteran shelters and assembles care package supplies for deployed troops. The 2016 campaign collected over 200 boxes/bags of donated items.
• Care Packages for Deployed Troops Program that ships care packages containing snacks, coffee, toiletries, and morale-boosting items to deployed service members. Over 1,000 deployed men and women were supported in the summer of 2018 alone.
• Holiday Stocking Stuffers Program Provides stocking stuffers to military children at Naval Submarine Base New London and to families of Massachusetts National Guard members. Over 900 military children received stocking stuffers in 2017.
• Homeless Veteran Support Collects and distributes bedding, towels, clothing, toiletries, and gift cards to veterans residing at Massachusetts Veteran shelters and transitional living centers.
• Volunteer Programs Volunteer opportunities for community members to support event delivery, photography, grant writing, donation solicitation, care package assembly, and outreach activities.
• Beer&Bacon Fundraising Event Annual fundraising event featuring craft beer, bacon dishes, and live music with $25 admission; supports the organization's mission with over 93% of funds raised going directly to mission activities.
• Annual Comedy Night Annual comedy fundraiser at $20 per person supporting the Thanks To Yanks mission of serving military members, veterans, and their families.
• All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast Fundraiser Annual breakfast fundraiser coordinated with local sponsors at $8 per adult and $5 per child admission to raise funds for the organization.
• Never Forget Veterans Day 5 Miler Run/2 Miler Walk Annual running event held to honor veterans, with proceeds supporting military members and veterans in southeastern Massachusetts.
• Veterans Nursing Home Visits Visits to nursing facilities bringing music, food (including ice cream sundae bars), and companionship to veterans in long-term care at facilities such as Brockton VA Hospital and Bedford VA Hospital.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1000+ deployed service members supported annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• Starbucks (Milford, 128 Medway Road)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 February 2019Collecting care package items for Thanks To Yanks in their store.
• New England Patriots FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2018Awarded Thanks To Yanks founder Michael Shain the 2018 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award at Gillette Stadium, recognizing volunteer excellence.
• Honor Flight New EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 November 2017Donated $900 to support Honor Flight New England's recent trip to Washington, DC to honor America's most senior veterans. Participated in Laughs for a Cause fundraiser benefiting the organization.
• Myfm101.3 BroadcastminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 November 2017Broadcast live from DCH Milford Toyota during Hope for Heroes campaign, including donating gift cards.
• Naval Submarine Base New LondoncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 November 2017Provided welcome home gift bags for 68 single submarine sailors and stocking stuffers to over 700 military children at this base.
• Wreaths Across AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2016Participated in Wreaths Across America ceremony at Bourne National Cemetery.
• Throttle BrothersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 December 2016Made a generous donation to Thanks To Yanks supporting their mission.
• Blue Star Mothers of Eastern MAcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 December 2016Supported with toy donations for military families and children during holiday programs.
• DCH Toyota MilfordcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 November 2016Main drop-off location for Hope for Heroes Donation Drive campaigns. Hosted donation collection and provided coffee and donuts for donors. Supported multiple annual campaigns from their Fortune Boulevard location in Milford, MA.
• Milford FederalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 November 2016Hosted donation drop-off location for annual Hope for Heroes Donation Drive supporting homeless veterans.
• Woodland Elementary SchoolminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 November 2016Contributed donations to Hope for Heroes campaign and helped educate students about the meaning of Veterans Day.
• Milford Girl Scout Junior Troop 30570minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 November 2016Sorted and separated all donated items for Hope for Heroes campaign supporting homeless veterans.
• Dunkin DonutsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 November 2016Donated over 300 lbs of coffee to be shipped overseas in care packages for deployed service members.
• Friendly's Ice CreamminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 November 2016Donated ice cream, chocolate sauce, and rainbow sprinkles for magic show events at VA hospitals.
• Massachusetts National GuardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2016Supported with stocking stuffers for families of National Guard members.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• T.A.P.S. (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors): National nonprofit providing bereavement support to military families — broader incumbent in the military family support space that overlaps with Thanks To Yanks' family-segment services.
• American Legion: Largest U.S. wartime veterans service organization with broad veteran support programs (benefits assistance, posts, family support) — a broad incumbent serving the same veteran community with overlapping capability around veteran/family services.
• DAV (Disabled American Veterans): National nonprofit providing benefits assistance and support to disabled veterans and their families; a broad incumbent whose VA-hospital and benefits support work overlaps with Thanks To Yanks' VA hospital visit and veteran family programs.
• Semper Fi Fund: National nonprofit providing immediate financial support and programming to injured/ill service members, veterans, and families — broader incumbent operating in the same deployed-troop-and-family support category.
• USO (United Service Organizations): National nonprofit supporting deployed troops and military families with care packages, entertainment, and family programs — overlaps directly with Thanks To Yanks' care packages for deployed troops and military family programs at national scale.

Direct peers

• Marine Corps League: Marine Corps veterans service organization that presented the Gung Ho Community Service Award to Thanks To Yanks' founder; both organizations share the marine/veteran recognition space in New England.
• Project New Hope: Massachusetts-based nonprofit supporting veterans and military families with retreats and family programs — directly comparable regional peer; Thanks To Yanks has partnered with them (sensory rooms at Project New Hope's Special Needs Retreat).
• Honor Flight Network: Nonprofit transporting senior veterans to Washington, D.C. memorials — Thanks To Yanks is an active donor/partner with Honor Flight New England, directly comparable as a regional veteran-recognition organization with event-driven volunteer mobilization.
• Blue Star Mothers of America: National nonprofit supporting active-duty military families and children — a direct peer because Thanks To Yanks has an active partnership with Blue Star Mothers of Eastern MA (toy donations for military families/children during holidays) and serves the same military family segment.
• Wreaths Across America: Veteran remembrance and recognition nonprofit operating in New England with similar mission focus — Thanks To Yanks is an active partner participating in Wreaths Across America ceremonies at Bourne National Cemetery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thankstoyanks
• Facebookfacebook.com/thankstoyanks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thanks-to-yanks
• Instagraminstagram.com/thankstoyanks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Thanks To Yanks