ABOUT UNITED WARRIOR SURVIVOR FOUNDATION

OUR HISTORY
The United Warrior Survivor Foundation (UWSF) was founded in 2002 in direct response to the loss of life in the Global War on Terror. It was established as an organization exclusively dedicated to serving the needs of the surviving spouses of Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine Corps Special Operations personnel killed in the line of duty since September 11, 2001.

Word leaked out that a SEAL had died in combat in the mountains of Afghanistan; and worst of all, that he had died alone.

Nick Rocha, a US Navy SEAL himself, felt compelled to do something. He cut out a picture of the fallen SEAL, Neil Roberts, made up a flyer and asked the owner of a local Coronado, CA bar, McP’s, if he would agree to host a fundraiser in Neil’s honor. The makeshift fundraiser yielded nearly $1,100. Though no further solicitations were made, money kept rolling in, and shortly thereafter, a total of $2,900 had been raised for Neil’s family.

Eric Knirk, a businessman from Los Angeles who heard about Rocha’s fundraiser, felt there was a need to do something more; much more. The desire to assure that not only Neil’s family but that ALL the surviving spouses of Special Operations personnel could be helped served as the driving force behind the establishment of the United Warrior Survivor Foundation.

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

It is our belief that the brave warriors of the Special Operations Command have made the ultimate sacrifice. We further believe that their sacrifice is more than payment enough to ensure that their surviving spouses receive the programs, services and counseling they need to live their lives. MORE

HOW MANY FAMILIES DOES UWSF SUPPORT?

Six years into the War on Terror, more than 240 Special Operations personnel have given their lives in defense of our nation.

UWSF is honored to have extended a helping hand to more than 150 of the widows. To some we have been of assistance in small ways, while to many others the help we have provided has been literally life altering.

Sadly, with the current level of terrorist activity worldwide, it is clear that Special Operations personnel will continue to assume great risks and to give their lives on missions that most Americans will never even know took place.

UWSF’s ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

UWSF is an IRS designated 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization registered with the Secretary of the State of California.

The Foundation is governed by a seven member Board of Directors including several surviving spouses.

UWSF operates within the confines of available funds as a debt free organization. And, as such, has established an impeccable reputation in the non-profit community.

In 2007 UWSF underwent a voluntary independent audit. Results indicated that UWSF’s operating standards were well above the accepted best practices benchmark for non-profit organizations with a consistent 85% of all funds going directly to support services and programs for surviving spouses and their families (75% or higher to intended beneficiaries is the commonly accepted benchmark).

UWSF strives to maintain a low operating overhead through the utilization of the many skills and talents offered by volunteers. The Foundation’s daily operations are, however, administered by a dedicated (and compensated) contractor.