Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation

What Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation does

The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation is a private nonprofit organization established on February 3, 1951, and dedicated by President Harry S. Truman to honor four U.S. Army chaplains (Lt. George L. Fox, Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Lt. John P. Washington, and Lt. Clark V. Poling) who sacrificed their lives during the sinking of the USAT Dorchester on February 3, 1943. Headquartered at the Chapel of Four Chaplains within Philadelphia's historic Navy Yard (Bldg 649, 1201 Constitution Avenue), the foundation operates as the sole organization dedicated to perpetuating this legacy, with the motto "Unity without Uniformity" framing its commitment to interfaith cooperation. The foundation runs a portfolio of six core programs: the Legion of Honor Awards (six award tiers including the Gold Medallion and the Charles W. David, Jr. Lifesaving Medallion), the National Student Scholarship Competition (running since 1950 for grades 5-12), the Veterans Outreach Program (chaplain support, honor guard, Tri-Care/VA benefits assistance, and crisis intervention), the Emergency & First Responder Chaplain Programs, chaplaincy training programs, and the Chapel itself, which hosts Sunday services and private event rentals.

The foundation's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, anchored by the 57th Annual Four Chaplains Banquet and the 3rd Annual Golf Tournament at Bala Golf Club. Distribution operates through three channels: the Philadelphia Chapel as a physical venue, the mygiving.net online portal for global donations and memberships, and a national 10-region network of Regional Directors and State Chaplains covering all U.S. states. Revenue is generated through four streams: recurring and one-time charitable donations, annual membership subscriptions, chapel rental fees for ceremonies and community events, and event sponsorships. Operating with a team of 1-10, the foundation also relies on a volunteer program covering tour guides, IT support, social media, coordination, and event production/support, with recent capacity added through a strategic partnership with the ECKM Team (Mickelsen Family) providing Development Director, Director of Communications and Donations, and Grant Writer/Social Media Coordinator functions. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Howard Schaeffer, with Bill Kaemmer serving as Executive Director and Michelle Nolfi as Chapel Administrator.

Name

Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation

Legal name

Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation

Website

https://fourchaplains.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that honors four WWII chaplains who died on the USAT Dorchester in 1943, operating the Chapel of Four Chaplains and running the Legion of Honor Awards, student scholarship competition, veterans outreach, and first responder chaplain programs nationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Memorial and Nonprofit Community Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (81311), Religious Organizations (8131), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

akta.pro primary industry

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI), Faith-Based Healthcare Ministries (Hospitals, Clinics, Medical Missions) (BPAGAJAH)

Keywords

• Memorial foundation services
• Interfaith chapel programs
• Veterans outreach support
• First responder chaplain training
• Community commemoration events

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Memberships: Annual and recurring membership subscriptions that provide donors with updates on programs, events, and initiatives while supporting veterans and first responders through scholarships.
2. Donations: One-time and recurring charitable donations from individuals supporting the foundation's mission of interfaith cooperation and selfless service commemoration.
3. Chapel Rental: The Chapel of Four Chaplains is available for rental for special events, ceremonies, weddings, and community gatherings, providing revenue while supporting the foundation's mission.
4. Event Sponsorships: Sponsorship opportunities for various events and initiatives allowing partners to showcase commitment to veterans and first responders community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization that commemorates the sacrifice of four WWII chaplains through the operation of the Chapel of Four Chaplains, the Legion of Honor Awards program, the National Student Scholarship Competition, Veterans Outreach, and Emergency & First Responder Chaplain Programs. It sustains its mission through membership subscriptions, charitable donations, chapel rental income, and event sponsorships, with all programs centered on interfaith cooperation and selfless service.

Product overview

The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation operates as a unified mission-driven organization centered on honoring the legacy of four WWII chaplains through commemoration, education, and community service. The foundation's portfolio consists of the Legion of Honor Awards program (six distinct recognition awards), the National Student Scholarship Competition (running since 1950), the Chapel of Four Chaplains (an interfaith sanctuary providing Sunday services and venue rentals), Veterans Outreach Program, Emergency & First Responder Chaplain Programs, and annual events including the Banquet and Golf Tournament. All offerings support the foundation's mission of interfaith cooperation and selfless service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Legion of Honor Awards A recognition program comprising six awards (Gold Medallion, Bronze Medallion, Humanitarian Award, Charles W. David Jr. Lifesaving Medallion, Legion of Honor Award, and Junior Legion of Honor Award) that publicly honors individuals whose lives exemplify selfless service and interfaith cooperation modeled by the Four Chaplains.
• National Student Scholarship Competition An annual essay scholarship competition for students in grades 5-12, sponsored since 1950, challenging young people to understand the values of interfaith cooperation and selfless service modeled by the Four Chaplains.
• Emergency & First Responder Chaplain Programs A network of chaplains available to respond to natural disasters and emergencies, combined with professional training programs for First Responder Chaplains and Medical Mental Health professionals.
• Veterans Outreach Program A support program for military veterans seeking chaplains, honor guards, Tri-Care or VA benefits, or struggling with service-related injuries including substance abuse, PTSD, homelessness, joblessness, or suicide ideation, delivered through collaboration with veteran service organizations.
• Chapel of Four Chaplains An interfaith memorial and sanctuary at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia, offering Sunday services, private event rentals, community outreach, and educational programs about the Four Chaplains legacy.
• Chaplain Training Programs Professional training programs for First Responder Chaplains and Police Chaplains to support emergency response and community service.
• Chapel Rental Services The Chapel of Four Chaplains is available for rental for special events, ceremonies, weddings, memorial services, and community gatherings, providing revenue while supporting the foundation's mission.
• Annual Membership Program Annual and recurring membership subscriptions that provide donors with updates on programs, events, and initiatives while supporting veterans and first responders through scholarships.

Quantifiable outcome

• 672 lives lost on USAT Dorchester, 230 survivors from the 902 aboard on February 3, 1943
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

One partnership is on record.

• ECKM Team (Mickelsen Family)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA family-run Veteran business that has partnered with the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation to help expand their mission and fulfill goals of serving others. The team serves in key representative roles: Kirk Mickelsen as Development Director, Beth Mickelsen as Director of Communications and Donations, and Caree Mickelsen as Grant Writer and Social Media Coordinator. This is a collaborative partnership to support the foundation's operations and outreach efforts.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Military Chaplains Association of the USA: National professional association for military chaplains of all faith traditions, focused on endorsing, training, and supporting chaplains. The most direct peer given the foundation's First Responder Chaplain Programs and Senior Chaplain governance role.
• Interfaith America (formerly Interfaith Youth Core): National nonprofit dedicated to building interfaith cooperation on college campuses and beyond. Directly comparable as an interfaith-cooperation focused nonprofit with educational programming and the 'Unity without Uniformity' framing; operates broader and at larger scale.
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum: Congressionally-designated national institution dedicated to telling the story of veterans across all conflicts. Comparable as a memorial-focused nonprofit with physical venue, educational programming, and national commemorative scope.
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): Nonprofit providing comfort, care, and resources to those grieving the death of a military loved one. Directly comparable as a military bereavement and survivor support organization, with similar mission-driven memorial and outreach orientation.

Broad incumbents

• American Legion: The largest U.S. wartime veterans service organization, operating as a 501(c)(19) with a national network of posts, scholarships, and youth programs (e.g., Boys State). Comparable as a veterans-focused nonprofit with scholarship, commemoration, and community outreach programs; broader in scope than the Four Chaplains Foundation.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): Major congressionally-chartered veterans service organization with national posts, scholarships, and community service programs. Directly comparable mission overlap on veterans support, scholarship programs, and community engagement.
• Knights of Columbus: Catholic fraternal service organization with major veterans, faith, and community programs including scholarship and interfaith initiatives. Comparable in faith-based community programming and scholarship structure; far larger and broader.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Large nonprofit providing programs and services to wounded veterans, including mental health, career counseling, and long-term support. Comparable veterans outreach and mental health program focus, but at significantly greater scale.
• Fisher House Foundation: Major military-family focused nonprofit operating comfort homes near medical centers and providing scholarship programs. Comparable as a military-family support nonprofit with scholarship and community infrastructure; operates at much larger scale.

Others

• National Cemetery Administration: Federal agency within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that provides burial and memorial services to veterans. Indirectly comparable as a memorial-services provider for veterans, though operates as a government entity rather than a nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FourChaplains1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/four-chaplains-memorial-foundation-nederland

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 Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation