2024 Annual Report
Nonprofit annual reports are more than just a summary of numbers — they tell the story of impact, growth, and the lives changed through collective effort.
At Guardian Revival, we believe in transparency, accountability, and celebrating progress. Sharing our 2024 Annual Report allows us to show how your support directly improved the well-being of our Nation’s guardians and their families last year — as always, at no cost to them.
From expanding peer support to launching a new program for families of guardians, your support has allowed us to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who serve. As we continue our mission, we invite you to reflect on our milestones, successes, and the incredible community that makes it all possible. (Want to keep making it happen? Make a contribution today!)
Guardian Revival 2024 Annual Impact Report
Reflecting on another successful year across our core programs (Another Summit, Boots & Paws, and Encore), family program (Homefront), Peer Services division, newest location (Hawaii), and athletic fundraisers (Champions), we’re proud to report healthy finances & robust relationships as we wrap up our 5th year as an organization.
See more of our milestones & impact in our 2024 Annual Report via the images below, download the PDF, or simply scroll to read & watch everything on this page.
WE EXIST SO GUARDIANS & THEIR FAMILIES KNOW THEY ARE NEVER ALONE
Letter from the CEO
Dear Donors, Sponsors, Guardians, and Families,
We want to express our heartfelt thanks for your commitment to Guardian Revival. We are improving the mental health and well-being of our guardians and their families — and your support makes that possible!
Our guardians’ dedication and sacrifices often come at a great cost to themselves. Guardian Revival exists to ensure they have the tools, resources, and experiences to heal and thrive. We are excited to share our 2024 Annual Report with you as it was a year of explosive growth.
A few highlights include:
Our Peer Services Division increased capacity to provide more direct, indirect, and group peer support.
Launched Homefront program for families — experiences, education, and support for the spouses, partners, and children of military, veterans, and first responders.
Established a GR hub in Hawaii, a state where over 10% of the population consists of guardians and their families.
We’ve created strategic partnerships with several other nonprofit organizations that share similar missions, and formed long-term sponsorships with several corporations that have committed resources & support for our sustained success.
Whether you have served, have a loved one who has, or simply believe in supporting those who protect & watch over us, you are a vital part of this mission. Because of you, we’ve been able to serve more guardians and their families across the country— always at no cost to them.
Together, we are making a difference. Thank you for your generosity, your belief in our mission, and your dedication to those who give so much for us.
Sincerely,
Aaron Leonard, CEO
Alex Othmer, Co-Founder and President of the Board
Our Mission
Improve the mental health & well-being of military, veterans & first responders — our guardians — and their families, at no cost to them.
2024 Milestones
As a community based organization with a national reach, Guardian Revival served thousands of guardians and their families through our in-person and online events, offerings, and gatherings.
Special events included the first Hold the Line wellness summit in collaboration with The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, our third annual One Mile Challenge, the Regeneron Salute to Service golf scramble, and our Revive & Thrive end-of-year celebration.
2024 Impact
12,000+ Guardians served
600+ Events and Offerings
In 2024, we DOUBLED the number of guardians we served as well as our events and offerings.
Another Summit
Another Summit organizes outdoor adventures: walking, hiking, backpacking, paddling, and fly fishing outings for guardians of all ages and ability levels, including those with accessibility needs, to reconnect with nature, themselves, and one another.
Decades of research have shown that outdoor programs have positive effects on participants — including reducing loneliness and increasing a sense of belonging, which often improves overall well-being.
“The leaders put everyone at ease before the first step is ever taken. The combination of exercise, fellowship, and mindfulness is invigorating and paradoxically relaxing.”
2024 Impact
69 Day Outings
13 Multi-Day Adventures
278 New Members
Epic & Restorative Adventures
The work of Another Summit is chronicled in a short film with breathtaking footage of past adventures, including hiking the Pemi Loop, canoe camping in the Adirondacks, and learning survival skills through our Fieldcraft educational series. Learn more about how our program and time in nature offers tangible outcomes to transforms lives:
Boots & Paws
Boots & Paws provides companion dogs to guardians & deploys facility dogs to provide therapeutic benefits, which include reducing stress and anxiety, easing depression and loneliness, and encouraging regular exercise.
Our Facility Dog visitations bring comfort, boost morale, and reduce stress for police & fire departments, military installations, schools, and community centers.
We also opened the Putnam County Guardian Dog Park.
“I cannot change the current situation; however, I can move forward with a positive attitude. She gives me a reason to get out of bed every morning. I have a purpose other than work now that I have my amazing dog.”
2024 Impact
20 Therapeutic Canine Outings
40 Guardians Awarded Companion Dogs
70 Family Members Benefited
Life-Saving Companionship
Boots & Paws released a mini documentary that premiered at our Revive & Thrive celebration in December. See the inspiring history of Boots & Paws and Guardian Revival - including Alex Othmer’s personal story, insights on how the program works matching guardians with puppies, and powerful testimonials from recipients of our companion dogs.
Encore
Opportunities for guardians to learn, write, play, record, and share music.
LESSONS | Beginner to advanced lessons online enable guardians to learn & improve skills no matter where they are located.
JAMS | Regular casual music sessions hosted by a trained Lead Musician who creates community & facilitates practice.
TRACKS | Songwriting, studio recording, and the release of a guardian’s original music on Guardian Revival Records provides the unique opportunity to make their own music, professionally. [Listen now on Spotify]
RETREATS | Led by a music therapist, retreats offer guardians the opportunity to immerse in music together, providing a chance to reset through music & community.
“Encore has shown me how music heals and brings people together. The program has given me life long friendships and recording opportunities; but, most important for me personally, it lets me spread a little joy and kindness to others through music.”
2024 Impact
155 Private Lessons
46 Jam Sessions
24 Tracks Recorded [10 Songs Released on Spotify]
3 Music Retreats
Recording Tracks
Tom McLean is retired NYPD and a Vietnam-era veteran with a resume that is as impressive as his singing voice. See his recording session working with the Encore team to make music at our studio in Beacon.
Homefront
Launched in 2024, Guardian Homefront focuses on the family and provides experiences, education, and support for the spouses, partners, and children of guardians.
We know that guardian family members have a unique experience of living in both the civilian world and being part of the guardian community. Homefront is here to foster resilience, support health & wellness, and promote community to ensure that no family member feels alone in their journey.
We are grateful for our impactful partnerships with Tunnel to Towers, Blue Star Families, Lucky Orphan Horse Rescue, The Equus Effect, Hudson Valley Renegades, and the Rotary Club of Patterson who support our ongoing programs.
Families can find support through our events and resources via Homefront.
“My husband’s partner was killed in the line of duty and we are struggling because of it. Talking with others who understand the struggle is encouraging.”
2024 Impact
28 Events & Offerings
Veteran & Family Appreciation
Hosted at the Putnam County Golf Course to honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, our Annual Veterans Appreciation Chow Down was filled with heartfelt moments, music, and camaraderie.
Peer Services
Support & connection for guardians by guardians
Peer support is a particularly effective way to help guardians combat the feelings of isolation & loneliness. Our Peer Support Leaders are fellow guardians who are certified & trained to provide peer support services to other guardians.
By leveraging guardians’ shared experiences, our peer leaders host Gatherings, provide Direct Peer Support, and answer our Talk Line to support guardians who — though not in crisis — benefit from peer-to-peer connection.
Through our Peer Services Division — and throughout all our programs & offerings, guardians experience belonging and establish trusting relationships that improve their mental health & overall well-being. Learn more about Peer Services.
“I am thankful for your patience, guidance, and wisdom. It’s made such an impact on my outlook and my life.”
2024 Impact
170 Peer Gatherings
184 Guardians Received Direct 1:1 Peer Support
Experiential Learning with Horses
Peer Services partners with The Equus Effect to offset the impact of cumulative stress on guardians and their families. Using a cohort-based model, guardians develop practical, body-based tools to rebuild healthy, authentic relationships through action-oriented engagement with horses. Equine Experiences Info
Hawaii
Seeing the expansive growth of Guardian Revival’s programs over our first five years and recognizing the large guardian population in Hawaii, Guardian Revival created a hub in Hawaii in 2024 to provide resources, support, and offerings to this region. Guardian Revival received a $25,000 grant from the Hawaii Department of Health to provide peer services and programming to the first responders of the Maui Wildfires.
Our on-island events — primarily on Windward Oahu — included waterfall hikes & beach days with guardians and family & friends, coffee meet-ups at Tradition Coffee Roasters, and jam sessions in Kailua with a local ukulele group, The Kanikapila Project, all in a beautiful environment & spirit of aloha.
“A beautiful blessing and time to fully accept that people go through hard times and there are healthy ways to go through them.”
2024 Impact
7 Outings
8 Music Jams
15 Family Offerings
Maui First Responder Kanikapila
Supporting the mental health of Maui First Responders, this one-day event combined the traditional Hawaiian healing modality of ho’oponopono, brought guardians to play music together (kanikapila), and offered “talk story” where speakers shared their story of resiliency and recovery after hardship.
Champions
Athletes who partner with us to become a Champion compete under the Guardian Revival banner by either running as a non-profit & charity partner in one of the marathons we have secured limited entries to or by fundraising for one of their own existing competitions, races, or events.
Some of our 2024 event highlights included races in New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Honolulu, and more! Competitions ranged from full & half marathons to cycling races & triathlons to adventure races across the country — on land and sea.
We are grateful for our dedicated Champions — students, amateurs, and professionals - who support our guardians by toeing the line to race while raising awareness & funds.
“I'm running to raise funds and awareness for veteran and first responder mental health. It's special because of my service but more importantly for the people I served with and those we’ve lost.”
2024 Impact
9 Events & Races
71 Champions
$184,873 Raised for Guardian Revival
Ambitious Athletes
In 2024, a team took on the Sea-to-Sea Adventure Race 300 miles across Florida. Another Champion joined 11 rowers to cross the Atlantic Ocean in 45 days, and runners participated and competed in the NYC Half & Full, LA Half & Full, Marine Corps Marathon, Honolulu Full, and Philadelphia 8K, Half, and Full. Check out our Champion Chronicles:
Impactful Relationships
We are honored to have meaningful relationships with other organizations & corporations who have been critical to the success of our mission.
With their strong support, Guardian Revival has been able to reach more guardians and their families. We are grateful for their ongoing and consistent involvement as they stand by our side and increase the impact of the work we do.
Financials
Guardian Revival has a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator & a Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency — the highest ratings for each — based on our accountability, transparency, and financial health.
$4.05M Revenue
80% Programing
11% Fundraising
9% Management & Administration
5 Years of Success
We are humbled by your generous contributions and your ongoing support which has allowed us to grow from an idea into a community based organization with a national reach impacting over 12,000 guardians.
We are grateful for the many people who have walked beside us through these initial stages of growth.
Consistently hearing from guardians & families that our programs provide tangible impact and immense value, we are compelled to further our mission.
Thank you for the ways you have empowered us to start and thank you to each of you who will join us as we forge ahead.
Want to keep making a difference?
Contribute again today!
Learn more about Guardian Revival:
Our Mission
Guardian Revival is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that improves the mental health & well-being of military, veterans, and first responders — our guardians — and their families, at no cost to them.
Our guardians are military & first responders — a far broader group than most people assume or imagine, who are exposed to mental & physical trauma & stress.
We serve ALL guardians — active, former, and retired: Military ᐧ Veterans ᐧ Reserves ᐧ Law Enforcement ᐧ Fire & Rescue ᐧ Emergency Medical Services ᐧ Dispatchers ᐧ Corrections Officers ᐧ Federal Agents
Programs
We aim to fulfill our mission through our programs & events for guardians & their families:
Another Summit | Outdoor adventures — walking, hiking, backpacking, and paddling
Boots & Paws | Providing dogs for the therapeutic benefits of animal companionship
Encore | Opportunities to learn, write, play, record, and share music
Peer Services | Individual & group peer support for guardians by guardians
Homefront | Support & resources for military & first responder families
Upcoming Events
Join us for outings, music, peer support, family fun, and more — we offer both virtual and in-person events. All are offered at no cost to guardians & families. Please RSVP to join an event. We hope to see you soon!
