Mental Health PlaybookMighty Oaks Foundation
- Geographic Focus: National and international
- Mission: The Mighty Oaks Foundation is committed to serving the brokenhearted by providing intensive peer-based discipleship through a series of programs, outpost meetings and speaking events.
- Operating Budget: $5.1 million
- People Served: Veterans, active duty military and first responders
- Focus Areas and Core Competencies: Unique peer-to-peer mentorship model with peer mentor training programs available for graduates.
Impact Statement
Since 2010, Mighty Oaks Foundation has empowered more than 500,000 warriors including active-duty, veterans and first responders to gain clarity, overcome their past traumas and live a purpose-filled, successful life while contributing to the success of others.
A conversation with Kevin Knutson, national director of development for Mighty Oaks Foundation
Q: What is the mission of your organization? What specific areas related to mental health challenges are you working to solve?
Mighty Oaks Foundation is committed to helping and revitalizing our nation’s warriors and their families—those who have faced tough challenges serving America. Through Christ’s hope and our recovery programs, we aim to give them a renewed sense of purpose. Specifically, the Mighty Oaks Foundation helps combat veterans dealing with Post Traumatic Stress, supporting them to move past their traumas according to Biblical principles. This helps veterans adjust to civilian life, avoiding fractured families and suicide. Our programs combat suicide, substance abuse and isolation, impacting over 500,000 service members through efforts like the legacy, marriage advance and resiliency programs.
Q: How do you describe the big goals your organization is working to achieve? How do you measure impact?
Mighty Oaks has remained true to its foundational goals since its inception. Our mission is clear and unyielding: to eradicate suicide within the military and first responder communities, to break the cycle of divorce prevalent in these communities, to foster healthy family traditions through an eternal mindset, to equip men and women with resilience in facing daily challenges and to inspire attendees to actively serve and make a positive impact in their communities.
We assess our effectiveness through both quantitative and qualitative metrics. This includes tracking the number of individuals engaged in our resiliency events, men’s and women’s legacy programs and marriage advancement initiatives, with a commitment to expanding these figures each year. Additionally, we value the hundreds of testimonials from participants whose lives have been positively transformed by our programs.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges the organization has experienced working to accomplish its mission? How did your organization overcome those challenges?
The year 2020 presented significant challenges for many individuals and organizations. The implementation of social distancing measures, cleaning protocols and efforts to prevent COVID-19 exposure temporarily disrupted our plans for peer mentorship within the legacy program. Despite these hurdles, we successfully hosted our annual warrior gala as a hybrid event, combining both onsite and virtual elements.
We witnessed divine intervention in our mission, as setbacks proved to be short-lived and alternative solutions consistently emerged. We believe our greatest accomplishments were divinely guided. The Mighty Oaks Foundation exceeded its goal, engaging over 150,000 active duty personnel, veterans and first responders through military resiliency programs nationwide. Additionally, we distributed more than 100,000 books produced by Mighty Oaks to provide resources, training and equipping for individuals impacted by mental health challenges.
Q: What are the organization’s biggest needs? How can philanthropists help your organization achieve its goals?
Mighty Oaks is dedicated to supporting as many of our nation’s warriors as possible, and to do this effectively, sponsorship for the legacy programs is our greatest need. By removing all barriers to success, we offer these programs completely free of charge to participants. However, approximately 60% of enrollees struggle with travel expenses to our five ranch locations. To alleviate this burden, we provide up to $1,000 in travel support per qualified individual. It costs Mighty Oaks $3,000 for each male participant and $2,500 for each female participant to attend these programs. Philanthropists have the option to directly fund these programs or contribute to Mighty Oaks’ general fund, ensuring their donations are used where they are most needed.
Q: Beyond the organization, where should philanthropists who care about advancing knowledge related to improving mental health invest their charitable dollars?
Enhancing mental health and empowering veterans necessitates a committed group of peer mentors, along with comprehensive training programs tailored for them. Philanthropists looking to make a meaningful impact might consider funding this vital leadership training. Mighty Oaks, for instance, conducts peer mentor training both within the United States and internationally, offering a direct avenue for donations to support these initiatives globally. These contributions not only bolster the mental well-being of participants but also ensure the longevity and effectiveness of the program by cultivating a continuous stream of qualified peer mentors for years to come.
Contact Our Team
Contact the Roundtable’s Programs team to learn more about this investment opportunity.