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Boot Campaign
Founded2009
FoundersSherri Reuland, Mariae Bui, Ginger Giles, Leigh Ann Ranslem, Heather Sholl
TypeNon-governmental organization
Location
Websitewww.bootcampaign.org

Boot Campaign is a national 501(c)(3) charitable organization with headquarters in Tyler, Texas. It was established in 2009 as a way for five women to show their support for the United States Armed Forces, and was certified as a nonprofit organization in 2011. Funds are raised through general donations, corporate sponsorships, and retail sales of combat boots and branded merchandise. Since its inception, the organization has given more than $12 million in financial assistance to service members, veterans, and their families with housing needs, career and education costs, PTSD/TBI treatment, and health and wellness programs.

Mission

The Boot Campaign mission is to promote patriotism for America and the military community; raise awareness of the challenges service members face during and post-service; and provide assistance to military personnel, past and present, and their families.

History

Tyler, Texas orthodontist Sherri Reuland read "Lone Survivor," [1]Marcus Luttrell's account of Operation Red Wings, and was so moved by the story she recommended the book to four friends[2]. Reuland, Ginger Giles, Heather Sholl, Leigh Ann Ranslem, and Mariae Bui borrowed combat boots for a photo project to show their support for troops and veterans. It was at Country for our Country[3], a military benefit concert in East Texas, when the first celebrity photos were taken, and soon after, requests for pictures taken in combat boots poured in. The founders were nicknamed the "Boot Girls" and began shooting pictures of civilians wearing combat boots, including then-governor Rick Perry[4], asking Americans to "get their boots on" to show their support for the military.

Boot Shoots

The first notable people to pose in combat boots for a photo were country artists Kacey Musgraves and Joe Nichols. After several more celebrity pictures were taken, the photo shoots were nicknamed "boot shoots;" to-date, more than 500 celebrities, business leaders, and political figures have posed in combat boots for the campaign, including Dolly Parton, the cast of Sons of Anarchy[5], MMA fighter Chuck Liddell[6], Lou Diamond Phillips, fitness expert Tony Horton[7], Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Marcus Luttrell, Chris and Taya Kyle, Eric Roberts, Florida Georgia Line, Smokey Robinson, Nancy Grace, and Kathie Lee Gifford. After taking his boot shoot, comedian Josh Wolf became a strong advocate for the nonprofit, helping organize Hollywood's biggest names in comedy for Comedy Boot Jam on October 28, 2015 at the Hollywood Improv. Adam Sandler headlined with David Spade, Rob Schneider, Jo Koy, Wolf, and more also performing.[8]

Retail Sales

Beginning in 2011, Boot Campaign began selling combat boots as a way to further the mission and raise money to support veterans and military families. Retail sales of branded apparel soon followed, and today Boot Campaign maintains an online retail shop as well as a storefront at their Georgetown, Texas office, where the organization sells combat boots, apparel, accessories, and branded gear.

Financials

In addition to required IRS financial filings, Boot Campaign voluntarily undergoes an annual independent financial audit by a third party agency to verify IRS and 501(C)(3) compliance. Current 990 tax filing information can be found on the Boot Campaign website, and updated tax information is released as available.

2014 Financial Breakdown

  • Total income: $3,930,678[9]
  • Expenses: $650,057 (17%)
  • Mission: $2,987,202 (83%)

Recognition

Boot Campaign is listed in three charity monitoring websites: GuideStar, GreatNonprofits, and BBB Wise Giving Alliance. GuideStar first reviewed Boot Campaign in 2011, giving it a Gold rating for commitment to transparency[10]. GreatNonprofits has named Boot Campaign a Top Rated charity annually since 2013, which requires an organization to earn at least 10 four-star reviews each year. Boot Campaign has more than 120 reviews with an overall average rating of five stars[11]. BBB Wise Giving Alliance rates the organization as an "accredited" charity based on its 20 standards for recognition [12]. A fourth notable charity watch dog, Charity Navigator, requires a nonprofit to operate for seven years before a recommendation can be made. Boot Campaign will be eligible for inclusion in 2018.

References

  1. ^ "Boot Campaign provides $100,000 grant to Lone Survivor Foundation". Lonsesurvivorfoundation.org. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Forbes: How 5 Women Raised Millions For US Veterans". Forbes. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  3. ^ "Country for our Country Tyler Texas BSCENE Magazine BSCENETV". YouTube. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Boot Campaign: Organization aims to promote patriotism". Community Impact Newspaper. November 11, 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Sons of Anarchy actors stay in costume for PSA". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  6. ^ "MMA Mania: UFC Legend Chuck Liddell gets his 'Boots On' to support armed forces". SB Nation. December 15, 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  7. ^ "Men's Fitness: Boot Campaign's 4th Annual Pushups For Charity Event Kicks Off Nationwide". Men's Fitness. February 17, 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  8. ^ "Boot Campaign's Comedy Boot Jam". Getty Images. October 28, 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  9. ^ "Boot Campaign Financial Report". Boot Campaign. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  10. ^ "Boot Campaign Inc". Guide Star. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  11. ^ "Boot Campaign, Inc". GreatNonprofits. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  12. ^ "National Charity Reports: Boot Campaign". Give.org. Retrieved 9 May 2016.

Official Website
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