SPRINGFIELD, Va. — Hope For The Warriors has received a $3 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., a major investment aimed at strengthening the organization’s nationwide support systems for service members, veterans, and military families. The grant will fund leadership and workforce development, critical infrastructure upgrades, and expansion efforts across HOPE’s programs.
According to the announcement, the funding is part of Lilly Endowment’s broader effort to bolster military‑focused nonprofit organizations and enhance long‑term sustainability within the veteran‑support sector. HOPE leaders say the investment lays a foundation for the next generation of military family services by modernizing systems and elevating program delivery.
“This $3 million investment strengthens the foundation for the next generation of military family support,” the organization stated, noting that upgraded systems and workforce development are essential to sustaining high‑impact services nationwide.
Heartitude.com Founder Bruce Petillo emphasized how closely the grant aligns with Heartitude’s mission of leading with kindness, compassion, and empathy. “When an organization like Hope For The Warriors receives support that directly enhances how they care for veterans and military families, it reflects the very spirit of Heartitude,” Petillo said. “This grant is more than an investment in infrastructure—it’s an investment in people, reminding us that empathy‑driven systems create real, lasting change.”
The funding also positions HOPE to broaden its work at a time when demand for comprehensive veteran support continues to rise. Lilly Endowment was noted as providing similar grants to a group of 18 military‑serving nonprofits, signaling a coordinated effort to strengthen the sector’s operational resilience.
By enabling HOPE to expand its reach, improve internal capabilities, and reinforce programs for military families, the grant underscores a shared commitment to compassion‑centered service—an approach deeply aligned with Heartitude’s belief that every person deserves to be seen, supported, and valued.