White Heart Foundation

What White Heart Foundation does

White Heart Foundation is a Utah-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 by Ryan Sawtelle that delivers small-group outdoor eco-therapy retreats for U.S. military veterans and first responders. Each excursion accommodates up to 10 participants in remote western U.S. settings and is structured around peer-to-peer conversations intended to address service-related trauma, PTSD, depression, and isolation — populations for whom the foundation cites veteran suicide rates of approximately 20 per day and first-responder depression/PTSD rates up to five times the general population. The organization explicitly does not deploy clinical staff; instead, it positions itself as a non-clinical first step on a healing journey, complemented by gender-specific programming for female veterans.

The fundraising and go-to-market model is diversified across individual donations, the HEARTLINE monthly giving program (starting at $20/month), corporate and individual excursion sponsorships, a legacy giving program administered in partnership with EDM Capital, in-kind donations (airline miles, hotel points, vehicles), and four scheduled annual events (Ride to the Flags in Malibu, High Stakes for Heroes in Park City, White Heart Wonderland in Lander, and Turf Wars in Medford). Distribution is direct via the whiteheart.org website and in-person events; there are no reseller, retail, or third-party distribution channels. The foundation is founder-led, holds Candid Platinum Seal transparency status for 2025, and operates with a 1-10 person staff from a PO Box in Heber City, Utah. No technology platform, AI capability, or proprietary software product is disclosed beyond standard website and online application infrastructure.

Name

White Heart Foundation

Legal name

White Heart Foundation

Website

https://whiteheart.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

White Heart Foundation is a Utah-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs small-group outdoor eco-therapy retreats for U.S. veterans and first responders, funded by individual donations, sponsorships, legacy giving, and annual events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran and First Responder Mental Health Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• Eco-therapy retreats
• Mental health support
• Veteran rehabilitation services
• First responder wellness
• Nonprofit charitable programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Heber City

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. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters. Monthly giving program called HEARTLINE allows donors to contribute $20 or more per month to support ongoing programs. One-time donations are also accepted through the website donation lightbox.
2. Excursion Sponsorship: Corporate and individual sponsors can sponsor entire excursions for veterans and first responders. Sponsors can launch company-wide fundraising efforts or allocate funds to directly benefit program participants.
3. Legacy Giving: Planned giving options including donor-advised funds, charitable remainder trusts, bequests by will or living trust, charitable lead trusts, IRA/401(k) beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities, and charitable endowments. Handled in partnership with EDM Capital.
4. In-Kind Donations: Accepts donations of travel points (airline miles, hotel points, reward credits), vehicles, and birthday donations. These in-kind contributions offset program costs for bringing veterans and first responders to retreats.
5. Event Revenue: Annual events including Ride to the Flags, High Stakes for Heroes, White Heart Wonderland, and Turf Wars generate donations and sponsorship revenue while raising awareness for the organization.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

White Heart Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that leads small groups of up to 10 veterans or first responders on remote outdoor eco-therapy excursions across the western United States to enhance mental and emotional well-being for those facing service-related trauma. Programs are provided free of charge to eligible participants and are funded entirely through donations, sponsorships, and legacy giving.

Product overview

White Heart Foundation operates as a nonprofit offering a portfolio of programs centered on eco-therapy retreats for veterans and first responders. The core offering is small-group outdoor excursions (typically 10 participants) in remote western U.S. settings, supported by the HEARTLINE monthly giving program. Additional programs include excursion sponsorship for corporate/individual donors, a travel points donation program to offset participant transportation costs, and a legacy giving program with various estate planning options managed in partnership with EDM Capital.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Eco-Therapy Retreats Small-group outdoor excursions (typically 10 participants) for U.S. military veterans and first responders, providing nature-based mental health support through peer-to-peer conversations in remote settings across the western United States. Delivered free of charge to eligible participants.
• HEARTLINE Monthly Giving Program Recurring monthly donation community starting at $20 per month that powers the foundation's programs including outdoor retreats, peer-led support, and follow-through care for veterans and first responders.
• Excursion Sponsorship Sponsorship program allowing corporate or individual donors to fund specific eco-therapy excursions for veterans and first responders, with inquiries handled via [email protected].
• Travel Points Donation Program Program accepting donated airline miles, hotel points, or reward credits to offset travel costs for bringing veterans and first responders into eco-therapy programs.
• Legacy Giving Program Estate planning and deferred giving options including donor-advised funds, charitable remainder trusts, bequests, charitable gift annuities, and endowment funds, administered in partnership with EDM Capital.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 20 veterans die by suicide every day; White Heart provides an alternative path to healing
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: Established, large-scale nonprofit serving wounded veterans with a broad portfolio including mental health, physical recovery, and career transition. They are a much larger incumbent in the broader veteran support space where White Heart operates.

Regional players

• First Responders Children's Foundation: Nonprofit supporting first responders and their families through grants, scholarships, and wellness programs. Comparable in funding-model and donor-driven structure, but supports families rather than direct mental health retreats.

Direct peers

• Heroes and Horses: Nonprofit providing equine-assisted therapy and wilderness retreats for combat veterans. Comparable alternative-therapy model in the western U.S. targeting the same veteran mental health cohort.
• Boulder Crest Retreat: Nonprofit offering retreat-based mental health and wellness programs for veterans, active-duty military, and first responders. Directly comparable to White Heart's eco-therapy retreat model with a similar participant cohort and free-to-veteran funding model.
• Project Sanctuary: Nonprofit providing multi-day outdoor retreats for veterans and their families focused on healing service-related trauma. Directly comparable eco-therapy retreat model with similar small-group format and donor-funded delivery.
• No Barriers USA: Nonprofit delivering outdoor-based programs for veterans and people with disabilities focused on personal growth and mental wellness. Comparable outdoor/wilderness retreat model with similar peer-group peer support format.
• Warrior Expeditions: Nonprofit that uses multi-day outdoor experiences (hiking, paddling) to support veterans struggling with PTSD, transition, and reintegration. Directly comparable nature-based, peer-led, non-clinical healing model.
• Team Red White & Blue: Nonprofit connecting veterans to their communities through physical and social activities, including outdoor experiences. Serves the same veteran mental health and reintegration mission as White Heart, with comparable peer-support and event-driven model.
• Save Our Allies Foundation: Veteran-led nonprofit providing transition support and outdoor experiences for veterans and first responders. Comparable veteran-focused holistic trauma support mission with similar peer-led programming.

Emerging players

• Outdoor Journey Foundation: Smaller nonprofit using outdoor excursions for veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD. Smaller-scope but directly comparable outdoor therapy model for the same target population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/white-heart-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 White Heart Foundation