™
BECAUSE FREEDOM
DESERVES A THANK YOU.
We provide outdoor experiences that bring veterans together to reconnect, heal, and rediscover camaraderie through the outdoors.
Pastries - $4
Butter Croissant - $2.5
Coffee/Tea - $1
Fresh Juice - $2
The Giving Ground Foundation embodies the essence of service.
Founded by three civilians, Nick Africano, Rory Serafini, and Dale Tobey,
these leaders are committed to honoring our heroes.
Giving Ground bridges the gap between service and civilian life, helping veterans reclaim joy and purpose in the great outdoors.
Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12)
Chairman,House Veterans' Affairs
WHY
THIS MISSION MATTERS
Many veterans return home carrying invisible burdens.
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Isolation and loss of camaraderie
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Loss of purpose and daily structure
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Barriers to seeking mental health support
Connection and community are powerful protective factors. Time outdoors with others who understand their experiences can help restore purpose, rebuild friendships, and strengthen well-being.
That is why The Giving Ground Foundation exists.
Founding Sponsors
The Giving Ground Foundation stands today because early sponsors, partners, and community supporters chose to believe in this mission from the beginning. As Founding Sponsors, you have helped establish the foundation upon which lasting impact for veterans will continue to grow.
The Upland Hero Hunt honors our veterans, helps build meaningful connections, and is a mission that truly matters. We are proud to stand with The Giving Ground Foundation.
Bryan Davis
General Manager
Supporting the Upland Hero Hunt is an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way. Seeing veterans reconnect, share experiences, and enjoy the outdoors reminds us why we give.
Ray Lovell
Owner
The Upland Hero Hunt is a powerful example of what happens when a community comes together to honor and support its veterans.
William Petrakis
Owner
Every gift moves us closer to
fully funding this year’s event.
FUNDRAISING PROGRESS
2026 Goal: $50,000
Frequency
One time
Monthly
Amount
$10
$50
$100
$200
Other
About The
Giving Ground
Foundation
Who We Are
The Giving Ground Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring, supporting, and empowering United States military veterans through transformative outdoor experiences. Founded on the belief that service deserves lasting support, the Foundation creates opportunities where healing, camaraderie, and renewed purpose naturally take root.
Many veterans return home carrying invisible wounds—post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and the lasting emotional impact of service. While these challenges are often unseen, their effects are deeply felt. The Giving Ground Foundation exists to ensure that no veteran faces that journey alone.
Why Veterans
The freedoms we enjoy are secured through the sacrifice of those willing to serve. Yet too often, veterans encounter isolation, loss of identity, or barriers to wellness after leaving military life.
We believe honoring veterans requires more than words—it requires action. By investing in meaningful experiences that foster connection and belonging, we help bridge the gap between service and civilian life, restoring confidence, community, and purpose.
The Outdoors as Therapy
Nature provides a powerful and proven environment for restoration. The quiet of open land, the rhythm of the hunt, and the shared traditions of the outdoors create space for reflection, trust, and healing. Within these experiences, veterans reconnect not only with nature but with one another. Stress diminishes. Conversations
deepen. Confidence returns. For many participants living with PTSD and related challenges, time outdoors improves mental well-being, encourages mindfulness, and rebuilds the sense of mission and teamwork that defined their service.
The outdoors becomes more than recreation—it becomes therapy, fellowship, and renewal.
Stewardship & Transparency
The Giving Ground Foundation operates with disciplined stewardship and unwavering accountability. Administrative expenses remain under 4%, ensuring that the overwhelming majority of contributions directly fund veteran programs, experiences, and outreach initiatives.
We recognize that every donation represents trust. Our commitment is to translate that trust into measurable impact, meaningful experiences, and lasting outcomes for the veterans we serve.
Our Commitment
Through signature initiatives such as the Upland Hero Hunt and expanding outdoor programs—including deer, turkey, waterfowl, and conservation-focused experiences—the Foundation continues to grow opportunities for veterans across the country.
Each event is intentionally designed to foster camaraderie, dignity, and shared purpose. Surrounded by guides, working dogs, mentors, and fellow service members, veterans rediscover something many miss most after service: community.
Join the Mission
Supporting The Giving Ground Foundation is more than philanthropy—it is partnership in a mission of healing, honor, and service.
Donors, sponsors, and community partners play a direct role in strengthening veterans’ mental, emotional, and social well-being. Together, we are building a future where those who served our nation continue to find purpose, connection, and strength in the outdoors.
Get Involved
Volunteer Opportunities
Lend a hand at one of our events or help behind the scenes. Your time and skills can make a lasting impact on the lives of veterans.
Sponsor an Event
Businesses and organizations play a critical role in our mission. From gear donations to financial support, your partnership helps create unforgettable experiences for those who served our country. Sponsorship tiers include Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with recognition at events and across our media platforms.
Where We're Headed
The Giving Ground Foundation is entering a period of rapid growth — transforming a successful inaugural program into a national model for veteran engagement through the outdoors. Building on the success of the Upland Hero Hunt, we are expanding into year-round programming that includes deer, turkey, duck, and goose hunts, creating meaningful opportunities for more veterans to reconnect, heal, and rediscover camaraderie beyond military service.
This next phase represents a rare opportunity for forward-thinking corporate partners to join at a formative stage — helping shape programs that will grow into enduring traditions of service, conservation, and community leadership. Strategic partnership with The Giving Ground Foundation goes beyond sponsorship; it aligns your organization with measurable veteran impact, authentic community engagement, and a mission grounded in stewardship of both people and the outdoors.
Together, we are building scalable experiences that honor service, strengthen communities, and demonstrate a shared commitment to those who have sacrificed for our nation — while creating a platform where partners can stand visibly alongside a mission that matters.