What Minuteman Disaster Response does

Minuteman Disaster Response is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization headquartered in McKinney, Texas, founded in 2011 by Gary Anderson, Brian Ballard, Michael Gamble, and Paul Pogue after responding to the Joplin, Missouri EF5 tornado. It deploys self-sufficient volunteer teams, currently numbering approximately 450 members across 28 states, to communities affected by tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. Its core services are tree and vegetative debris removal, mucking and gutting of flood-damaged homes, search and rescue, swiftwater rescue, and first-responder base-camp support, delivered at no cost to recipients.

The organization operates through specialized units including the Rapid Response Team (RRT), the Flood and Swiftwater Team (FAST) certified through TEEX, and Relief Operations. Its equipment fleet comprises chainsaws, compact track loaders, FAST rescue boats, command trailers, mobile shower/restroom units, drones for damage assessment, and emergency communications equipment. A web-based MDR Volunteer Portal manages onboarding (background checks, Code of Conduct, Basic Training). Logistics are supported by a 2022 partnership with Airlink that provided 39 responder flights in 2023, and by corporate and church volunteer partnerships including The Home Depot and Community Bible Church.

Minuteman Disaster Response is funded entirely through donations from individuals, businesses, churches, and organizations, supplemented by an annual Lamplighter Gala. It has no paying customer base and no parent company. Leadership consists of Executive Director Matt Payne, Assistant Executive Director Eric Burkes (National Operations), and Assistant Executive Director John Lebeau (National Development). The organization has no disclosed financial statements, no app, no APIs, and no AI/ML capabilities documented in available data.

Name

Minuteman Disaster Response

Legal name

Minuteman Disaster Response

Website

https://minutemanresponse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Minuteman Disaster Response is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2011 that deploys self-sufficient volunteer teams of approximately 450 members across 28 states to provide free debris removal, flood cleanup, and search-and-rescue services to homeowners and first responders affected by tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disaster Relief Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423)

SIC

Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700)

akta.pro primary industry

Disaster Recovery, Reconstruction & Resilience Programs (BPAGAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Disaster Response & Debris Management (Floods, Hurricanes, Wildfires) (EUAIAMAF), Disaster Debris Cleanup & Hauling (Fire/Flood/Storm) (HSAKALAO), Natural Disaster Preparedness & Recovery (Storm/Flood/Wildfire) (BPABANAI)

Keywords

• Disaster relief services
• Volunteer deployment
• Debris removal
• Flood cleanup
• Emergency response

Headquarters

HQ city

Mckinney

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Minuteman operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization funded entirely through donations from individuals, businesses, churches, and organizations. All services are provided free of charge to disaster victims.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Minuteman Disaster Response deploys self-sufficient volunteer teams equipped with chainsaws, compact track loaders, rescue boats, and specialized tools to provide immediate disaster relief to communities affected by tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. Services include tree and vegetative debris removal, mucking and gutting of flood-damaged homes, search and rescue, damage assessment, and first responder support — all delivered free of charge to victims.

Product overview

Minuteman Disaster Response is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering a portfolio of disaster response services delivered through trained volunteer teams. The core offering is the Disaster Response Volunteer Deployment Services, supported by the MDR Volunteer Portal for volunteer management and onboarding. The organization deploys specialized teams including the Rapid Response Team (RRT) for immediate on-site response, the Flood and Swiftwater Team (FAST) for water rescue operations, and Relief Operations for home cleanup. The organization was founded in 2011 and operates from McKinney, Texas, serving communities affected by tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires across the United States.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Disaster Response Volunteer Deployment Services End-to-end deployment of self-sufficient volunteer teams to communities affected by natural disasters (tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires). Provides chainsaw-equipped crews, compact track loaders, and trained personnel to deliver hands-on disaster relief at no cost to victims.
• Tree and Vegetative Debris Removal

Quantifiable outcome

• 71 volunteers contributed 3,500+ hours in Refugio County during Hurricane Harvey response
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Community Bible Church (CBC) San AntoniocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2024MDR joined forces with Community Bible Church to educate, train, and equip 70+ volunteers in Sawyer and Relief operations. CBC gained an MDR Box Truck to serve local San Antonio residents. This partnership expanded MDR's volunteer base and deployment capacity.
• American AirlinesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Provided flights for disaster response volunteers through Airlink partnership, supporting Minuteman's national deployment capabilities.
• United AirlinesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Provided flights for disaster response volunteers through Airlink partnership, supporting Minuteman's national deployment capabilities.
• AirlinkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership with Airlink enabled Minuteman to fly volunteers into disaster areas, expanding operational reach to areas previously inaccessible. In 2023, Airlink provided 39 responder flights saving $35,663 USD. This partnership enabled deployments to locations like Berry, VT that would otherwise not be served.
• The Home DepotminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018The Home Depot volunteer team assisted Minuteman with debris cleanup operations in Kingsland, TX following flooding disaster.
• DFW Metroplex Churches and OrganizationsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Businesses, churches, and non-profit groups from the DFW Metroplex and across the nation supported Hurricane Harvey response efforts with both manpower and finances.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Operation Blessing: Humanitarian aid organization with active disaster relief programs that deploy volunteer teams for debris removal and home cleanup after hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods — closely overlapping MDR's service offering.
• Team Rubicon: Veteran-led volunteer disaster response organization deploying self-sufficient teams for debris removal, mucking/gutting, and emergency operations across the US. Operates on a near-identical model to MDR with greater scale and a paid-staff structure.
• Convoy of Hope: Faith-based humanitarian organization with a disaster services division that deploys volunteers and resources for debris cleanup and community relief in disaster zones — directly comparable in mission and delivery model.
• All Hands and Hearts: Volunteer-driven disaster response nonprofit that rebuilds homes and clears debris in disaster-affected communities. Closely comparable operating model, volunteer base size, and service mix to MDR.

Broad incumbents

• Samaritan's Purse: Faith-based humanitarian organization operating a major US Disaster Relief program that deploys volunteers for debris removal, home rebuilding, and flood response — overlapping directly with MDR's core services but at materially larger scale and budget.
• American Red Cross: The largest US disaster relief organization, providing shelter, supplies, and recovery support across all major disasters. Operates with paid staff and massive donor base — the dominant incumbent in MDR's space.
• Habitat for Humanity: Through its Disaster Response and Recovery programs, Habitat deploys volunteer teams for long-term rebuilding after natural disasters — overlapping with MDR's recovery-stage work but at larger scale and focused on rebuild versus initial cleanup.
• The Salvation Army: Major established disaster relief provider operating across all US states with paid staff, federal contracts, and large donor base. Provides feeding, debris support, and recovery services that overlap MDR's offering.

Others

• Crisis Cleanup: Open-source coordination platform used by volunteer organizations (including MDR) to track damaged properties and avoid duplication of services during disaster response. An ecosystem tool rather than a competitor, but central to MDR's deployment workflow.
• Airlink: Logistics partner of MDR that provides free or low-cost air transport for disaster responders. Not a direct competitor but an enabling ecosystem partner critical to MDR's national deployment capability.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/minutemanteam
• Facebookfacebook.com/MinutemanTeam
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/minutemanteam
• Instagraminstagram.com/minutemanteam

Compliance1 record

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 Minuteman Disaster Response