Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation

What Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation does

Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 by Mike Conklin and headquartered in San Ramon, California, that supports severely wounded post-9/11 veterans through higher education and career transition. Its core product, the Bridge for Education program, is a multi-year comprehensive support initiative that combines housing subsidies, financial coaching, mentoring, tutoring, and career placement assistance; the organization does not pay tuition directly but wraps personal and financial support around each veteran through graduation and into employment. Since inception the organization reports having assisted 700+ veterans and applies 65% of every dollar raised in FY 2024 directly to program recipients.

The organization operates a community-led go-to-market motion: eligible veterans are identified through referrals from military networks, VA hospitals, Warrior-Scholar Project, and Care Coalition, and apply through a structured online portal with two annual application windows. The support package is augmented by a network of resource partners providing educational and career services, including Udemy (155,000+ courses), NetTutor (24/7 live tutoring), 50strong, American Corporate Partners, Warrior-Scholar Project boot camps, and Dave Ramsey Ramsey+; corporate and nonprofit partners include General Dynamics Mission Systems, Qualcomm, Wells Fargo, Lennar, Northrop Grumman, DAV, and 7 Eagle Group. Embedded Veterans Resource Centers at partner colleges including San Francisco State University, Diablo Valley College, and Contra Costa College extend on-the-ground reach.

Revenue is generated entirely through fundraising rather than commercial sales, drawing on six streams: individual donations, corporate partnerships and sponsorships, foundation grants, employer matching gifts, planned giving (bequests and estate planning), and alternative asset donations (real estate, securities, cryptocurrency). The organization is registered to solicit charitable contributions in 16 U.S. states and supplements online fundraising with annual galas, golf tournaments, bike races, and the "Veterans Never Stop Serving" podcast hosted by founder Mike Conklin. No public revenue figure is disclosed; the federal Tax ID is 20-8139201.

Name

Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation

Legal name

Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://sentinelsoffreedom.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides multi-year housing, mentoring, tutoring, financial coaching, and career support to severely wounded post-9/11 veterans pursuing higher education, funded through donations, corporate partnerships, and foundation grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Veteran Support Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Veteran education assistance
• Nonprofit scholarship programs
• Wounded veteran support
• Military transition services
• Post-9/11 veteran mentoring

Headquarters

HQ city

San Ramon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Monetary donations from individual supporters, including one-time, ongoing, and recurring gift options. Donors can contribute through the organization's website using credit card or other payment methods.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Support from corporations through social media challenges, dollar-for-dollar matching campaigns, hat and t-shirt co-branding opportunities, and direct sponsorship of the Bridge for Education program.
3. Foundation Grants: Significant annual support from various foundations and charitable giving divisions of companies with established grant programs.
4. Matching Gifts: Corporate matching gift programs where employers match employee charitable contributions dollar-for-dollar or more, amplifying donor impact.
5. Planned Financial Gifts: Planned giving options including bequests, estate planning contributions, and other deferred giving mechanisms.
6. Alternative Asset Donations: Acceptance of donations in alternative assets including real estate, stocks/bonds, and cryptocurrency to provide diverse giving options for supporters.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs the Bridge for Education Program, a multi-year comprehensive support initiative for severely wounded post-9/11 veterans pursuing higher education and civilian careers. The program bundles financial coaching, housing subsidies, mentoring, tutoring, career networking, and transition assistance into one personalized package rather than paying tuition directly. It also operates Veterans Resource Centers at partner colleges, a STEM Tutoring Grant Program for institutions, and a mentor-matching service that engages alumni volunteers for life.

Product overview

Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation operates as a nonprofit veteran support organization centered around the Bridge for Education Program, a multi-year comprehensive support initiative for severely wounded post-9/11 veterans. The core program provides financial coaching, job assistance, mentoring, career networking, and tutoring services. Supporting offerings include the STEM Tutoring Grant Program providing $5,000 grants to institutions for veteran tutoring, Veterans Resource Centers providing physical support spaces at partner colleges, and Veteran Mentoring connecting veterans with career mentors. The organization also partners with educational platforms including Udemy, NetTutor, and Warrior-Scholar Project, and career resources like 50strong and American Corporate Partners to provide holistic support throughout veterans' educational and professional transitions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bridge for Education Program Multi-year comprehensive support program providing financial coaching, housing subsidies, mentoring, tutoring, career networking, and job placement assistance for severely wounded post-9/11 veterans completing higher education and transitioning to civilian careers.
• STEM Tutoring Grant Program $5,000 grant to institutions with Student Veteran Resource Centers to expand in-person STEM tutoring for post-9/11 veterans, covering up to $20 per hour of tutor compensation.
• Veterans Resource Centers Physical and emotional safe spaces at institutions of higher learning where veterans can connect, share resources, and access support services, developed in partnership with colleges and corporate partners.
• Veteran Mentoring Connects post-9/11 veterans with experienced mentors who provide academic planning, career guidance, resume coaching, financial literacy, and emotional support throughout their educational and professional journey.
• Veteran Transition Assistance Program component helping wounded veterans transition smoothly back to civilian life with personalized care, financial education, mentoring, career advice workshops, and tailored resources for success.
• Community Fundraiser Event Hosting Program enabling individual supporters and community groups to host fundraising campaigns such as golf tournaments, bike races, and community dinners to raise funds for severely wounded veterans.

Quantifiable outcome

• 65% of every dollar raised applied directly to support veterans in the program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• DAV (Disabled American Veterans)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAV logo displayed as corporate partner, indicating collaboration between veteran service organizations.
• 50strongsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer mentorship platform connecting military-affiliated jobseekers with real career pathways, employer access, and on-demand mentorship. Resource partner for Sentinels pursuing employment.
• American Corporate Partners (ACP)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit focused on helping returning veterans find careers through one-on-one mentoring, networking and online career advice. Listed as a trusted resource partner.
• Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts intensive one and two-week college-preparatory boot camps for enlisted veterans. Referrer of veterans to the Bridge for Education program.
• UdemysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnline learning platform with 155,000+ courses offered as a resource for all Sentinels to upskill and excel in school and workforce.
• NetTutorsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic support solution providing guided learning assessments and 24/7 live tutoring for student veterans, particularly in math and English.
• 7 Eagle GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization connecting talented Military Veterans and spouses with businesses. Listed as trusted resource partner for Sentinels career development.
• Triple Impact ConnectionssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary Spouse Employment Partnership helping align veteran talent with business needs. Resource partner for employment services.
• Care CoalitionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner that connects transitioning service members with Sentinels of Freedom programs, particularly for those determining next steps after military service.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation: Major nonprofit supporting wounded veterans, first responders, and families of fallen service members through housing, education, and financial assistance programs. Comparable veteran support breadth with significantly larger footprint.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Large established veteran service organization providing benefits advocacy, employment support, and transition resources to disabled veterans. Comparable beneficiary overlap, though broader scope and congressional-chartered status.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Largest U.S. nonprofit serving post-9/11 wounded veterans, offering comprehensive programs including education support, career transition, mental health, and physical wellness. Directly comparable mission with much broader scale and budget.

Direct peers

• Travis Manion Foundation: Veteran service organization empowering veterans and families of fallen heroes through leadership development, community service, and mentorship programs. Comparable veteran-focused mentor-driven support model.
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): Membership organization for post-9/11 veterans providing advocacy, education support, and career transition resources. Comparable beneficiary focus and comprehensive veteran transition support model.
• Bob Woodruff Foundation: Foundation that funds programs supporting post-9/11 veterans and their families, with focus on education, employment, and financial stability. Closely comparable grantmaking model serving a similar veteran cohort.
• Warrior-Scholar Project: Provides intensive college-preparatory boot camps for enlisted veterans transitioning to higher education. Directly comparable educational readiness support for transitioning service members (and an existing referral partner).
• Student Veterans of America: Coalition of student veterans at higher education institutions supporting transition, educational success, and career readiness. Comparable mission focused on veteran educational outcomes and on-campus support.
• Hire Heroes USA: Nonprofit providing individualized career transition support, job placement, and one-on-one coaching to U.S. military veterans and their spouses. Comparable focus on employment and education-to-career outcomes for veterans.
• Pat Tillman Foundation: Provides scholarships and professional development to active-duty service members, veterans, and military spouses through the Tillman Scholars program. Highly comparable scholarship-plus-mentorship model for post-9/11 military-affiliated beneficiaries.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sentinelsoffreedom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation