150 founding donors.$25 a month. $45,000 of steady support.

Real moments. Real connection. Real purpose.

No veteran should have to walk the path to civilian life alone. That is what Operation Meraki is all about, and this challenge puts those values front and center: we are looking for 150 people who believe in supporting veterans and their families to commit to $25 a month. That is less than a dollar a day. But together, it is a game-changer.

Why 150 for $25

One-time donations are amazing, and we are grateful for every single one. But monthly giving is what keeps the lights on, the programs running, and the support flowing, especially when veterans need it most.

When we know 150 people have our backs every month, we can plan ahead. We can say yes to the veteran who needs peer support today, not next quarter. We can launch a new employability workshop without scrambling for funding. We can show up consistently for the families who have sacrificed so much.

$25 a month might not feel like much when you are paying it. But multiplied by 150 people, 12 months a year, that is $45,000 in reliable, predictable support that directly fuels the three pillars of what we do.

The three pillars: where your $25 goes

Every dollar supports veterans and their families across three core areas. Think of them as the foundation for a successful transition to civilian life, and a thriving community beyond service.

1. Wellness and whole health

Transitioning out of the military is not just about finding a job or a place to live. It is about mental health, physical wellness, and rebuilding a sense of purpose. Your $25 helps fund peer support groups where veterans connect with others who get it, wellness workshops covering everything from stress management to nutrition, and access to resources for mental health services, fitness programs, and holistic care.

When a veteran reaches out at 2 a.m. because they are struggling, we do not want to say we will get back to them when funding comes through. We want to say we are here.

2. Employability, entrepreneurship, and education

Veterans bring incredible skills to the table: leadership, discipline, problem-solving under pressure. But translating military experience into civilian job language is tough. Starting a business or going back to school is even tougher without the right support. Your $25 helps fund resume workshops and interview coaching tailored to veterans, entrepreneurship mentorship, scholarship support and educational resources, and job placement partnerships with employers who value what veterans bring.

One of our recent success stories: a Marine Corps veteran who came to us unsure how to sell his logistics experience. Three months later he landed a supply chain management role, and he is now mentoring other veterans through the same process.

3. Community engagement and connection

Leaving the military means leaving behind a built-in community. The camaraderie, the shared purpose, the people who would drop everything to have your back, that does not just transfer to civilian life. You have to rebuild it. Your $25 helps fund community events where veterans and families can connect and belong, volunteer opportunities that give veterans a renewed sense of purpose, family support programs because transition impacts spouses and kids too, and outreach and resource fairs that meet veterans where they are.

We are not just handing out pamphlets. We are creating spaces where veterans feel seen, heard, and valued. Where a spouse can talk to another spouse who understands the unique challenges of military family life. Where kids can meet other kids who have moved six times in eight years.

How your monthly $25 adds up

When 150 people give $25 a month, here is what Operation Meraki can do over the course of a year: host 24 peer support sessions, run 12 employability workshops covering resumes, interviews, and career transitions, sponsor 8 major community events that bring hundreds of veterans and families together, provide emergency assistance to families in crisis, and expand mental health resources and wellness programming year-round.

That is not theoretical. That is the actual math: 150 people times $25 times 12 months equals $45,000 of steady, reliable impact. And it is sustainable. When you commit to monthly giving, you are not just helping this month. You are helping us plan for March, June, October, and beyond.

Real people. Real stories. Real impact.

We could throw statistics at you all day. But this work is not about numbers on a spreadsheet. It is about people.

It is about the Army veteran who showed up to our resource fair feeling lost and left with a job interview scheduled for the next week. It is about the veteran spouse who attended a community event and finally found other spouses who understood what it is like to move every two years and start over. It is about the Marine who joined a peer support group and said, for the first time in months, "I don't feel alone anymore."

That is what $25 a month does. It creates those moments. It funds those connections. It makes space for veterans to heal, grow, and thrive.

How to join

Give online through our giving page and set up your recurring monthly donation. It takes about two minutes, and you can adjust or cancel anytime.

Both one-time and monthly gifts are secure, tax-deductible, and go toward supporting veterans and their families through our three pillars: workforce development, wellness programming, and peer support.

Frequently asked questions

Is my donation tax-deductible? Yes. Operation Meraki is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our EIN is 83-2099934. You will receive a receipt for your records, and your donation is fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Can I cancel or change my monthly donation? Absolutely. You are in control. If you need to adjust the amount or pause your donation, just reach out to us and we will take care of it, no questions asked.

What if I cannot afford $25 a month? We totally get it. If $25 feels like a stretch, consider $10 or $15, or even a one-time gift. Every dollar helps, and we are grateful for any support you can offer.

Let's hit 150 together

Monthly giving is how a small organization stays steady for the people who need it. If you are ready to be one of the 150, visit our giving page and set it up in a couple of minutes.