Marketing Plan

Executive Summary

Employers overwhelmingly agree: veterans have valuable skills including a strong work ethic, teamwork attitude, understanding of tight schedules, and an appreciation for health and safety standards.

But thousands of veterans have difficulty finding meaningful employment when they leave military life.  Particularly vulnerable are America’s wounded, injured, and service-disabled warriors.  They have already sacrificed immeasurably for America, yet must undertake their personal recovery, navigate an overwhelming separation process, and simultaneously find gainful employment.

The Veteran Employment Transition (VET) Foundation provides personalized employment transition support for warriors who were wounded or injured in combat or training.  We connect these unselfish individuals to people and resources that assist in their employment transition success, specifically by providing 5-day career mentorship retreats and one-on-one support.

Program Description

VET Foundation provides three personalized transition assistance program components for our combat-wounded warriors.

I. COMPASS. COMPASS is a five-day, expenses-paid mentorship retreat that equips service-disabled veterans to transition into civilian employment.  COMPASS brings hiring managers, subject-matter experts and industry professionals on location with veterans, preparing these warriors with necessary tools to find and keep meaningful employment after service separation.  COMPASS’s special emphases include:

  • Networking. Veterans are connected with prospective employers and industry representatives, many with hiring authority.
  • Skills training. Veterans undergo practical interviewing and resume-building workshops, including individual feedback and coaching in an environment of support.
  • Benefits instruction. Veterans receive detailed, customized explanations of their VA service-related benefits.

As of September 2008, VET has conducted four COMPASS events serving more than 100 combat-wounded warriors.  Three COMPASSes are scheduled for 2009 at Outdoor Odyssey, a specialized wilderness high adventure facility in Pennsylvania.

II. Mentoring. VET Foundation recruits Sponsor Mentors – veterans who have successfully transitioned to civilian employment – and matches them one-on-one with service-disabled warriors for encouragement and support. COMPASS graduates are matched with a Sponsor Mentor for 90-days post-COMPASS.  In addition, Support Mentors act as a resource for service-disabled warriors by personally introducing them to those in their sphere of influence in business and private industry.

III. Unique services. VET Foundation connects combat-wounded warriors with in-kind services, including pro-bono legal advocacy, corporate jet transportation to COMPASS, and financial assistance counseling.

Who we serve

VET Foundation helps any armed forces member who has served honorably since the inception of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and has been wounded in the line of duty, including members of:

  • U.S. Army
  • U.S. Navy
  • U.S. Air Force
  • U.S. Marines
  • U.S. Coast Guard
  • U.S. National Guard

VET Foundation development plan

VET Foundation exists to serve the thousands of America’s combat-wounded warriors who need employment transition support.  Because our life-changing services are desperately needed and have the potential to serve many brave men and women, we have strategically targeted three areas for organizational expansion:

  1. Increase numbers of COMPASS events. We are planning 3 COMPASSes for 2009 and 5 COMPASSes for 2010, with conservative participation projection numbers at 140 and 220 respectively. Long term, we will increase the number of COMPASSes by one a year over the next four years with the ultimate goal of providing two COMPASSes per quarter.  Generous partners are needed to fund and sponsor warriors to attend.
  2. Develop a robust tracking plan. We’re developing a detailed tracking system that will allow us to follow each COMPASS participant’s progress in securing employment. This process will include updates and feedback from mentors to VET so that even more veterans can transition to jobs.  Effective tracking requires high-quality administrative support funding.
  3. Build an organizational infrastructure. To date, VET has operated four successful COMPASSes and supported 100+ veterans in employment transition nearly solely by volunteers.  The foundation is ready to hire an executive director to lead the organization in its expansion and development.

COMPASS participation (actual and projected)

<<insert>>

2008 Fundraising Goals

  • First Annual Above and Beyond Award Event (11/15): 250,000 net
  • Houston after hours cocktail reception (11/7): $125,000 net
  • New York September 11 fundraiser: $125,000 net

Total Fundraising Goal for 2008: $500,000 net

Conclusion

America’s combat-wounded warriors have made immeasurable sacrifices for the cause of freedom.  As they face honorable discharge or retirement, they must also navigate the minefield of a job search and grapple with injuries, many which are life-altering.

VET Foundation offers these courageous servicemen and women career coaching, job-hunting skills, benefits instruction, and networked job opportunities through COMPASS and one-on-one mentoring.  The Foundation deeply appreciates your support for our brave service-disabled warriors, and invites your generous partnership as together we help these heroes transition to productive civilian employment.