Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation

Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation

The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation is a nonprofit institution associated with the preservation of the legacy of the Medal of Honor and the community of Medal of Honor recipients. The Foundation operates a national center and public programs that interpret acts honored at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Arlington National Cemetery, and other sites linked to Civil War engagements, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and more recent conflicts such as the Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). It collaborates with veteran organizations, national museums, academic institutions, and federal agencies to promote civic values exemplified by honorees like Audie Murphy, Alvin York, Desmond Doss, John Basilone, and Dakota Meyer.

History

The Foundation was established amid efforts by Congress, led by legislators who had sponsored authorizing legislation such as members associated with the United States Congress, to create a permanent institutional home for the story of Medal of Honor recipients. Early initiatives linked the Foundation to preservation campaigns for sites including Fort McHenry, known from the War of 1812 and the origin of the Star-Spangled Banner, and to commemorations of recipients from landmark actions at the Battle of Gettysburg, the Battle of Belleau Wood, and the Battle of Iwo Jima. The Foundation developed programming during anniversaries of World War II and in coordination with national observances such as Veterans Day and Memorial Day, aligning with veteran service organizations including the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Over time it built a national center and archives while hosting ceremonies that have involved figures from the Department of Defense, the United States Navy, the United States Army, and the United States Marine Corps.

Mission and Programs

The Foundation advances a mission of preserving the history of the Medal of Honor and educating the public about individual examples of valor. Core programs include exhibitions, educational curricula developed with partners like the Smithsonian Institution and the National Archives and Records Administration, oral history projects that document testimonies by recipients with institutions such as the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, and scholarship and leadership initiatives for students and civic leaders. The Foundation’s public interpretation often frames actions from recipients in campaigns like the Battle of Midway, the Tet Offensive, the Operation Desert Storm campaign, and the Siege of Port Arthur (as context for earlier citations), tying those narratives to broader legal and institutional milestones including the evolution of U.S. military decorations and statutes passed by United States Congress committees overseeing defense and veterans affairs.

Leadership and Governance

The Foundation is governed by a board drawn from civic leaders, military veterans, corporate executives, and philanthropic figures with ties to institutions like the Pentagon, the National Museum of the United States Army, and universities such as Georgetown University and United States Naval Academy. Executive leadership typically includes a President & CEO who liaises with Congressional offices, Cabinet-level agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, and nonprofit partners including the Wounded Warrior Project and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Honorary trustees and advisory councils include living Medal of Honor recipients and historians who have published works on figures such as Chesty Puller, Smedley Butler, Ross A. McGinnis, and William Swenson. Governance practices emphasize stewardship aligned with nonprofit standards observed by organizations that file with the Internal Revenue Service and that conduct audits consistent with practices promoted by associations like the National Council of Nonprofits.

Fundraising and Financials

The Foundation raises funds through private donations, corporate sponsorships, special events, and philanthropic grants sourced from foundations and benefactors associated with firms and institutions such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and legacy foundations connected to families who have supported national heritage initiatives. Major fundraising efforts have included gala events, capital campaigns for the national center, and donor programs that mirror practices used by cultural institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Financial oversight involves auditing and reporting to comply with nonprofit reporting norms and to maintain partnerships with federal agencies when receiving grants or cooperative agreements. Endowment management and restricted gifts support educational programming, archival preservation, and traveling exhibitions that highlight recipients from conflicts including Korea, Vietnam, Iraq War, and Afghanistan.

Partnerships and Outreach

The Foundation maintains partnerships across a network of museums, veteran service organizations, academic institutions, and federal entities. Collaborative exhibitions and educational modules have been produced with partners such as the National World War II Museum, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (for comparative remembrance studies), and service academies including United States Military Academy and United States Air Force Academy. Outreach efforts extend to community programs in partnership with civic organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and universities offering ROTC programs, while digital initiatives leverage archives and collections through cooperative work with the National Archives and the Library of Congress. The Foundation also engages in ceremonial partnerships with the White House and the United States Capitol for observances involving recipients, Congressional delegations, and national commemorations.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Virginia