Operation Injured Soldiers

What Operation Injured Soldiers does

Operation Injured Soldiers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2005 and headquartered in South Lyon, Michigan, that delivers free recreational and wellness programming to wounded military veterans and their families. The organization's service portfolio centers on outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing trips, family weekend getaways, skydiving, golf outings, kayaking, sporting and concert tickets, and access to Brave Hearts Estate — a 238-acre veterans retreat in Pellston, Michigan donated in November 2014 by U.S. Navy Veteran R.W. Considine and opened in 2015, offering wheelchair-accessible bed-and-breakfast-style lodging. Distinct program brands include OIS Riders (motorcycle/ATV/snowmobile ambassador club, $20/year membership), Operation Sisterhood (female-veteran retreats and equine therapy), Walk for Warriors (annual fundraising walks with SEMCO focused on veteran suicide prevention), and Operation Renewed Hope (mental health webinar series launched October 2024 covering stress management and trauma recovery).

The organization's business model is donations- and sponsorship-driven: veterans access all services at no cost, subject to DD214 and VA Rating Letter verification, while revenue is sourced from individual donations, corporate sponsorships (Thrivent, GTLakes, Motor City Casino Hotel, MGM Resorts, Rochester Building Trades, AMVETS 2006), event-based fundraising, third-party channels such as Kroger Community Rewards, eBay Charity, and Facebook Fundraisers, and modest e-commerce merchandise sales through its online shop. The organization reports that 93% to 95% of revenue flows directly to veteran programs, and it has served 8,000+ veterans across 1,080+ events since inception with a 6,605+ member base. Operations are lean (1-10 employees), supplemented by a regional ambassador network across Michigan, New York, and Ohio, and the headcount profile is consistent with a volunteer-intensive service nonprofit rather than a technology platform.

Name

Operation Injured Soldiers

Legal name

Operation Injured Soldiers

Website

https://injuredsoldiers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Operation Injured Soldiers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 that provides free recreational and wellness programs — including hunting, fishing, retreats, and mental health support — to wounded military veterans and their families, operating from South Lyon, Michigan and a 238-acre retreat facility in Pellston.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Support Services

NAICS

Administration of Veterans' Affairs (92314), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Military/Government Monthly Lodging (THAMAFAK)

Keywords

• Veteran support services
• Recreational therapy programs
• Veteran retreats
• Military nonprofit programs
• Outdoor recreation services

Headquarters

HQ city

South Lyon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The organization relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and event sponsors. 93% of revenue goes directly to fund programs benefiting veterans.
2. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales of branded merchandise including apparel, hats, accessories, drinkware, and patches through the online shop. Revenue supports the organization's mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Operation Injured Soldiers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free recreational and wellness programs to wounded military veterans and their families. Core offerings include hunting and fishing trips, weekend family getaways at the 238-acre Brave Hearts Estate retreat, mental health webinars, women's veteran retreats, motorcycle/ATV/snowmobile riding events, and fundraising walks. Programs are delivered at no charge to eligible veterans who verify status with DD214 and VA Rating Letter documentation.

Product overview

Operation Injured Soldiers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2005 that provides free recreational opportunities to wounded military veterans. The organization operates Brave Hearts Estate, a 238-acre veteran retreat in northern Michigan, and runs multiple programs including OIS Riders (motorcycle/ATV/snowmobile club), Operation Sisterhood (women's retreats), Walk for Warriors (fundraising walks), and Operation Renewed Hope (mental health webinars). Additional offerings include hunting and fishing trips, sporting/concert events, golf outings, and weekend getaways for veteran families. The organization maintains an e-commerce store selling branded merchandise. 93% of revenue goes directly to programs benefiting veterans, with 8,000+ veterans helped since inception.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Brave Hearts Estate: 238-acre veterans retreat in Pellston, Michigan offering bed and breakfast style lodging and recreational activities for veterans and their families free of charge.
• OIS Riders
• Operation Sisterhood
• Operation Renewed Hope

Products and services

• Brave Hearts Estate A 238-acre veterans retreat in Pellston, MI providing home-cooked meals and bed-and-breakfast-style lodging free of charge to veterans and their families. Features 8 bedrooms, dining room, family room, fully equipped kitchen, laundry, wheelchair-accessible main floor, and 24/7 host on site.
• OIS Riders Ambassador riding club program for veterans and non-veterans who enjoy motorcycles, ATVs, and snowmobiles. Includes dinner rides, local parades, military funeral escorts, Blessing of the Bikes, Brave Hearts Poker Run, and fundraising events. Annual membership requires $20/year fee and 6 hours of volunteer time.
• Operation Sisterhood Program designed for female veteran members providing weekend retreats at Brave Hearts Estate, equine therapy, canoe/kayak trips, crafting opportunities, and skydiving. Allows female veterans to connect with others in an atmosphere of safety, caring, and understanding.
• Walk for Warriors Annual fundraising walking event organized with SEMCO to raise money for veteran suicide prevention and mental health resources. Walkers honor 20 soldiers lost to suicide daily across multiple locations including Holland MI, Richmond MI, and Washington DC.
• Operation Renewed Hope Mental health support program offering monthly 1-hour webinar sessions covering stress management, conflict resolution, and healing after trauma. Includes downloadable workbooks and access to previous audio sessions, with presenters including Josh Zoerhof, therapist and host of 'Chaplaincy on the Go' Podcast.
• South Haven Salute to Veterans Annual fishing event on Lake Michigan held in August with over 35 boats and 75+ veterans participating. Features a boat parade honoring veterans and first responders, co-hosted with the South Haven Steelheaders.
• OIS Online Store E-commerce merchandise store selling apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, fleece, outerwear), hats, accessories (drinkware, patches, challenge coins, keychains, koozies), bags, and donation options. Features branded merchandise for OIS and Brave Hearts Estate.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8,000+ veterans helped since 2005
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• South Haven SteelheaderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization that co-hosts the annual South Haven Salute to Veterans event. Started the tradition over 40 years ago taking disabled veterans fishing.
• MDHA - Michigan Duck Hunters AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual golf outing sponsor at Eagle Eye Golf Club. Provides hunting and outdoor opportunities for veteran members.
• NWTF - Salmon River Strutters ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts ice fishing events for New York veterans. Supports hunting opportunities.
• NWTF - Chemung Valley Ridge Runners ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York-based partner supporting veteran hunting events.
• Allison's Nightmare SportfishingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing sportfishing experiences for veterans in Cape May, NJ.
• SEMCOcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizes the Walk for Warriors fundraising event supporting Operation Renewed Hope mental health program. Multiple walk locations in Michigan and Washington D.C.
• KrogerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKroger Community Rewards program allows shoppers to donate to OIS while shopping.
• eBay CharityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity partner allowing sellers to donate up to 100% of proceeds to Operation Injured Soldiers.
• Deer River Hunting ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors New York bear hunting weekend in the Adirondack Mountains.
• The Outfitters (Oak Harbor, OH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducts Lake Erie walleye charter fishing trips for veterans.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Team Rubicon: Nonprofit that mobilizes veterans for disaster response and community service, with strong outdoor/operational programming. Comparable as a veteran-led nonprofit using outdoor and community engagement to support post-service recovery.
• Warrior Expeditions: Nonprofit offering outdoor therapeutic adventures (hiking, kayaking, canoeing) for combat veterans. Comparable as outdoor-based veteran wellness and recovery programming.
• The Mission Continues: Nonprofit empowering veterans through community impact, leadership development, and volunteer service. Comparable mission of using community engagement to support veteran reintegration and well-being.
• Hope For The Warriors: Nonprofit focused on post-9/11 veterans, service members, and military families, providing clinical, financial, and recreational support. Comparable in offering family-inclusive programming and recreational therapy for wounded veterans.
• Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing: Nonprofit dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities. Highly comparable to OIS's fishing/hunting-based recreational therapy model.
• Freedom Hunters: Nonprofit that takes wounded veterans on hunting and outdoor adventures. Closely comparable to OIS in offering free outdoor recreational experiences as therapy for injured veterans.

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: The largest U.S. nonprofit serving wounded veterans, offering physical and mental health programs, career counseling, and long-term support. Directly comparable to OIS as a donor-funded veteran services organization, but at vastly greater scale and national scope.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Long-established congressionally chartered veterans service organization providing benefits assistance and advocacy. Comparable as a veterans-focused nonprofit but oriented toward benefits administration rather than recreation and wellness.
• Semper Fi Fund: Nonprofit providing immediate financial support and lifetime assistance to critically wounded, ill, and injured service members. Comparable as a donor-funded veteran services nonprofit with broader program mix.
• Homes For Our Troops: Nonprofit that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. Comparable as a donor-funded organization serving severely wounded veterans with differentiated, high-impact programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/152879615122397
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/operation-injured-soldiers

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Operation Injured Soldiers