2024 Annual Report
2024 Annual Report
Message from Susan Ludwig, President
I am proud to report that together we achieved several milestones for the Coast Guard Foundation community in 2024. Through the generosity of 21,618 individual, corporate, and foundation donors, last year we achieved our highest level of fundraising ever — raising $15.3 million. This revenue powered more than $8 million in 2024 support — another high — as well as an additional $3.3 million devoted to future year support through endowment gifts and future pledges. And we are not stopping there; we have a goal of $10 million in Coast Guard support in 2025 and additional growth in our endowment, which provides perpetual funding for our mission.
The assistance we provided in 2024 included historic high investments in merit scholarships and enrichment grants to Coast Guard children and education grants for Coast Guard spouses. We also supported Coast Guard families with emergency assistance during a record number of disasters. These included Hurricane Beryl in Texas, flooding from a glacial dam burst in Alaska, Tropical Cyclone 8 in North Carolina, and wildfires in California. They also included devastation in Florida from Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricanes Francine, Helene, and Milton.
In addition, long-time donor William R. Higgins established a multi-million dollar estate gift that will fund Foundation education programs as well as stimulate future Coast Guard support through a series of matching gifts for major donations and planned gifts.
The impact of your generosity is summarized in this annual report. I encourage you to visit our website often where we post regular updates regarding those you assist:
> the Coast Guard members, spouses, and children who are so grateful that we stand beside them in times of triumph and hardship as they serve our country;
> the Coast Guard members who perform heroic actions and sacrifice to serve;
> the Coast Guard leaders who count on our partnership as they inspire their teams to save, protect, and defend.
This is a dynamic time for our Coast Guard as it continues its important missions while surging resources to support national priorities. The Coast Guard remains ready to answer the call when it comes, as they have time and time again.
We remain steadfast in our support of our Coast Guard members and their families. Our partnership at every level of Coast Guard service has never been stronger. Now more than ever, in this time of change, every brave Coast Guard member needs to know we stand behind them and beside them, saluting their service to our country.
I am grateful for everything you do.
Susan P. Ludwig
President
2024 Highlights
IMPACT: Emergency Disaster Relief and Tragedy Assistance
Support when Coast Guard members need it most
The Coast Guard Foundation assisted 633 families when they were most in need after devestating natural disasters and suffering personal tragedy and the loss of loved ones.
In 2024, the Coast Guard Foundation provided more than $1.3 million in emergency relief grants to help 610 Coast Guard members and their families recover from natural disasters. These disasters caused severe damage to homes and communities, leaving families struggling to rebuild. The grants helped cover the cost of insurance deductibles, temporary housing, home repairs, and replacing personal belongings and household goods. By stepping in quickly, the Foundation made sure that Coast Guard families had the support they needed to recover so members could continue aiding their communities.
Several major disasters affected Coast Guard members across the United States, creating an urgent need for support for those living in impacted areas in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. In each case, the Coast Guard Foundation quickly provided financial aid to affected Coast Guard families, helping them rebuild and get back on their feet.
Twenty-three Coast Guard families received tragedy assistance support after the death of their Coast Guard member or immediate family member, providing comfort and solace during their time of great need. Coast Guard members who were critically injured or experiencing a chronic illness received financial support to aid in their recovery. In addition, the Foundation provided long term assistance to families of Fallen Heroes to remember them and honor their service.
IMPACT: Morale and Wellness
Meeting the needs of Coast Guard members and their families
The Coast Guard Foundation invested more than $1.1 million in 204 national projects that support health and wellness at Coast Guard units across the country. These projects helped members stay mission-ready by maintaining their physical and mental wellness while at sea and stationed in remote locations. These projects also built a strong community among Coast Guard members through Coast Guard Day events and holiday gatherings that strengthened support networks.
The Foundation provided more than $395,000 in youth enrichment grants to 890 Coast Guard kids, helping them attend summer camps and purchase technology to access online enrichment activities during summer breaks. Grants foster personal growth, build new skills, and provide valuable learning experiences to help Coast Guard kids thrive academically and socially.
Partnerships with local commissioning committees and financial support from the Coast Guard Foundation made the commissioning ceremonies of four new fast response cutters a reality. Moreover, each cutter received a grant to start their morale account to support health and wellness priorities. In addition, fast response cutters in the fleet received grants for morale projects to support crews and families.
We supported a national initiative that equips Coast Guard members and families with life resources that aid in fostering positive and supportive relationships through a partnership with the Coast Guard chaplain’s office. In 2024, our funding supported suicide prevention training, marriage retreats, and resiliency through a partnership with the Coast Guard chaplain’s office that strengthened well-being and resolve.
In partnership with the Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association, we supported a program to help Coast Guard members heal and cope with trauma from sexual assault in a supportive, connected community setting.
IMPACT: Education and Workforce Development
Investment in education and training for Coast Guard members and families
The Coast Guard Foundation awarded $750,000 in scholarships to 207 Coast Guard dependents. Scholarships ranged from $2,500 to $5,000 and supported Coast Guard kids pursuing degrees at colleges and technical/trade schools. These scholarships played an important role in easing the financial burden for Coast Guard families and helped recipients focus on their academic and career goals.
Thirteen surviving children of Coast Guard members who made the ultimate sacrifice received Fallen Heroes scholarships and booster grants. Booster grants provided school-aged children of the fallen with opportunities to engage in year-round enrichment, from academic support to summer camp. Meanwhile, scholarships ensured students can pursue a college degree or trade school diploma by covering 100 percent of expenses at the school of their choice.
Workforce development programs provided classes and materials to 302 Coast Guard members pursuing captains’ licenses and professional training. This program better prepares members for Coast Guard missions and the transition to the civilian sector when their service is over. We also awarded 126 grants to Coast Guard members to support their off-duty education.
We awarded $1,000 and $2,000 grants to 240 Coast Guard spouses pursuing college degrees, professional certifications, and running their own in-home childcare businesses. These grants are important in providing financial support to further their education, enhance their career opportunities, and contribute to their family’s financial stability.
Coast Guard K-9s and their handlers benefited from a program that funds the care of working service dogs and training for the members who team with them, and honors the service’s most faithful companions.
IMPACT: Building a Strong Community
Honoring Coast Guard Service and Mission Excellence
We celebrated Coast Guard heroism and mission excellence at events in New Orleans, Fort Lauderdale, Washington, D.C., Honolulu, Anchorage, Long Beach, New York City, and Houston. Each event features Coast Guard leadership, industry partnerships, and recognition of Coast Guard mission performance in the region.
At our Texas Salutes the Coast Guard event in Houston in November, Coast Guard Station Sabine and Petty Officer 2nd Class Chad Rollins were honored for the 2023 heroic rescue of four mariners from a capsized tugboat on the Sabine River. Coast Guard Vice Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday was the keynote speaker. Immediately after his remarks, Lunday and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Heath Jones brought the audience to cheers and tears by meritoriously advancing Petty Officer 2nd Class Chad Rollins to first class petty officer for his bravery.
The Coast Guard Foundation attended the 2024 Coast Guard Marathon in Elizabeth City to raise awareness for programs with Coast Guard members and to honor Coast Guard fallen heroes and Gold Star families.
Coast Guard Foundation Run to Remember events and the Workout to Remember campaign raised funds for fallen heroes scholarships and tragedy assistance support.
Robert Luna, a retired Coast Guard veteran, embarked on an incredible journey on May 18 in Weaver, Alabama, to walk across America to raise awareness for military and veteran mental health. He arrived at his destination — Coast Guard Base Los Angeles/Long Beach — on October 17, having walked more than 2,200 miles. In addition to raising awareness, he raised funds for Coast Guard Foundation mental resiliency programs. “Every step I take is a step towards hope and healing for me, active-duty Coast Guard members, veterans, and everyone within the military community,” he said.
-
1,983
grants to strengthen families
-
428
Coast Guard members educated
-
204
projects at Coast Guard locations
“Thank you so much, Coast Guard Foundation. It truly means a lot to my wife and me. This is the first time in my 18-year career that I’ve ever asked for help, and I can’t thank you enough. Many of the stuff from our childhood — mementos and photos were lost — so the value of those items is hard to place. I’m just glad that we are both safe.”
— A Coast Guard Member from Sector St. Petersburg who was impacted by the 2024 Florida hurricanes
Our Supporters
Your support means the world to our service members.
Why We Give
From Survivor to Supporter: Donald Denihan Gives Back After Life-Saving Rescue
Three times, Donald Denihan has fought for his life when it was slipping away. And each time he prevailed. At sixteen years old, he survived a gruesome hunting accident. In his thirties, he overcame an aggressive form of prostate cancer, and a decade later he was rescued after a storm flipped his fishing boat in the Bahamas.
This last miracle brought him in contact with the U.S. Coast Guard. While fishing offshore with a local captain, their 15-foot boat ran out of gas and capsized. Denihan, another passenger, Gene, and the captain desperately tried to stay afloat on the overturned vessel as night surrounded them with intense thunder and lightning.
When they didn’t return as planned, Denihan's family contacted Bahamian search and rescue authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard to mount a search A Coast Guard helicopter search was launched, but it wasn’t until 19 hours later that a private seaplane, hired by Denihan's brother, spotted the men and brought them to safety.
That experience ignited Denihan's gratitude and curiosity. He later visited the Coast Guard’s Seventh District Command Center in Miami, which had coordinated the rescue efforts. There, he learned how the Coast Guard searches for people who are lost at sea.
His appreciation deepened after visiting a Coast Guard station on Long Island. He was struck by the work the young service members do for the country and the sacrifices they make to serve. “I'm 63 years old and I look at these Coast Guard members; they look like my kids,” Denihan relayed. “I always thought the government did a lot for them. Except they don’t. A lot of funding has to come from the private sector, so I have tried to do things that are good for morale, like gyms and support for their family members.”
Motivated by these insights, Denihan chose to support the Coast Guard Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of Coast Guard members and their families.
Denihan also decided to tell his story to inspire others. His book, Hard Bargain, What Life-Altering Experiences Taught Me About Faith, Friendship, and Family, describes his battles with death and what they taught him. Denihan established the God is Good Charitable Fund and started an endowment at the Coast Guard Foundation for the mental resiliency and morale of Coast Guard members.
Why We Give
Delivering a Lifeline to Coast Guard Members After Hurricane Helene and Milton
The Coast Guard Foundation relies on the generous support of its community when disaster strikes. This generosity was evident in 2024 when the unprecendented hurricane season, coupled with natural disasters throughout the country to include glacial flooding in Alaska, wildfires in California, and hurricanes in Texas and Florida allowed the Foundation to provide more than $1.3 million in disaster relief grants to 610 Coast Guard members and their families across the country.
In September and October 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the Tampa Bay area just 13 days apart, bringing record storm surge, widespread flooding, and severe wind damage. Coast Guard members, who live in the communities they serve, were among those hardest hit.
In response, the Coast Guard Foundation issued over $643,000 in emergency grants to 282 Coast Guard members directly affected by these storms.
Coast Guard Foundation leadership visited impacted units and members once the storms subsided so we could better understand their needs, learn how we can strengthen our support, and share their powerful stories of resilience with the Coast Guard Foundation community.
We are deeply grateful to the Chief Petty Officers Association, our partner in delivering emergency relief, and to our generous community of supporters who stepped up to help Coast Guard families in need.
“The Coast Guard Foundation is here because we want to be there for Coast Guard members wherever and whenever they need support,” shared Ron LaBrec, chief marketing and communications officer.
Pictured above are three of our generous supporters: Tim Whipple with the Speer Dream Foundation (top left), Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman (top right), and Coast Guard members from Sector St. Petersburg (bottom left) after a generous morale event supported by the Gary Sinese Foundation. Coast Guard Foundation regional director Brian Overcast is featured with our generous donors and at the Sector outing.
Scan the QR code to watch learn more about the 2024 hurricanes that hit Florida, the Coast Guard’s response, and how the Coast Guard Foundation stepped up to support members in the aftermath.
Thank You
This edition of our annual report illustrates the impact of your support in 2024. We thank you for your steadfast partnership and continued investment in Coast Guard members and families. An extended report with donor honor rolls, and Munro Society and Guardians Circle membership, can be found on our website at coastguardfoundation.org/annualreport.
$100,000 and Above
$50,000-$99,999
$25,000-$49,999
$10,000-$24,999
$5,000-$9,999
Financials
The Foundation’s latest audited financials can be found online at coastguardfoundation.org/about-us/financials.