2023 Annual Report
A Letter from the
CEO and Board Chair
In 2023, Warriors & Quiet Waters Foundation (WQW) marked its most transformative year since our inception in 2007. This year was distinguished by two major milestones: the successful launch of our groundbreaking program, Built for More, and the unveiling of a new brand identity that reflects our evolved mission to empower post-9/11 combat veterans to thrive and live purpose-driven lives.
BUILT FOR MORE
Built for More stands as a pioneering endeavor in veteran support, delivering remarkable outcomes by integrating awe-inspiring expeditions in nature with a nine-month long, evidence-based journey of personal growth and resilience. This program endows veterans with the knowledge, skills, and self-assurance needed to craft a thriving life anchored in purpose. It builds mental, physical, spiritual, and social well-being, emphasizing strength in six pillars of thriving: Security, Identity, Connection, Values, Potential, and Purpose.
In its inaugural year, we welcomed ten veteran cohorts to embark on this transformative journey. The feedback and progress observed halfway through are heartening. As shared by a participant:
After I got out of the military, I hit the lowest point in my life. I lost my purpose, identity, confidence, and worth. I was alone and dealing with some serious trauma that nearly became fatal. I was trying my best, but without clear guidance and direction, I was floundering alone trying to sort out life after the military. Now more than ever, I see a path ahead to success and fulfillment with a clear way forward.
2023 Built for More Participant
We eagerly anticipate the comprehensive outcomes as the final 2023 cohort concludes in Spring 2024, with a full program evaluation to follow in the Summer.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2023 - 2028
Our journey doesn't end with these achievements. This year, we not only launched Built for More and refreshed our brand but also laid out our strategic vision for 2023-2028. This blueprint for the future outlines our commitment to significantly expanding our impact on post-9/11 combat veterans and their families.
Built for More is just the beginning. We aim to significantly increase the number of veterans we serve, driven by the overwhelming interest seen in 2023. While over 400 veterans sought our programs, we could only accommodate a fraction due to our current capacity. Our strategic plan sets forth a roadmap to nearly double our capacity by 2028, alongside expanding the reach of our Couples and Caregivers programs to foster thriving environments for veteran families.
These initiatives reflect just a portion of our commitment to empowering post-9/11 combat veterans in their journey to thrive.
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU
None of this would be possible without you - our dedicated volunteers, donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation partners. Your unwavering support and belief in our mission fuel our determination to do more for our veterans every day. As we look forward, we remain committed to earning your trust and pride.
Together, we are making a profound difference. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey to empower veterans to thrive and live purpose-driven lives.
Warriors First, Always,
Brian Gilman
Colonel, USMC (Ret.),
Chief Executive Officer
Phil Uihlein
Board Chair, Board of Directors
EPILOGUE: EMBRACING NEW HORIZONS
As 2023 drew to a close, WQW witnessed a pivotal moment in its leadership landscape. In a demonstration of selflessness and vision for the future, our Board Leadership chose to usher in a new era by stepping down a year early from their roles. Our Board Chair, Phil Uihlein, Vice Chair, Tim Richmond, and Treasurer, Ed Brandt, made the deliberate decision to pass the torch, paving the way for fresh leadership, insights, and innovation. This transition underscores our Board’s commitment to growth and adaptation, ensuring that WQW remains at the forefront of serving our veterans with renewed energy and perspectives. Phil, Tim, and Ed remain as highly-valued directors on our Board.
In January 2024, we warmly welcomed Sandy Stash, Lieutenant General (Retired) Mark Schwartz, and Rob Fox as the new Board Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer, respectively. Their diverse experiences and profound dedication to our mission herald an exciting chapter for WQW, promising to infuse our efforts with new ideas and strategies aimed at enhancing the lives of those we serve.
This leadership renewal is a testament to our organization's dynamic and forward-thinking ethos, symbolizing our belief in the power of change and the importance of evolving leadership to meet the ever-changing needs of our veterans.
Brian Gilman,
Colonel, USMC (Ret.),
Chief Executive Officer
Phil Uihlein
Chair
Tim Richmond
Vice Chair
Aaron Demro
Secretary
US Army Veteran
Ed Brandt
Treasurer
Diane Bristol
Rob Fox
James T. Conway
Gen, USMC (Ret)
Bob King
Mike MacLeod
US Army Veteran
Jim McCray
Mark Mummert
Peter Nalen
Gregory Putnam
US Navy Veteran
Jonah Pate
Boardroom Bobcat
Mark C. Schwartz
LTG, U.S. Army (Ret)
Sandy Stash
Tom Stiffler
USMC Veteran
Dr. Kath Williams
Ali Ramirez, PT, DPT
US Navy Veteran
Tim Stultz
Chair
US Navy Veteran
Ryan Becker
Vice Chair
Paul Makarechian
Secretary
Mike Daines
Jessica Dean
Greg Ellis
Aaron Flint
US Army
Eugene Graf, IV
Eric Hastings
Col, USMC (Ret.)
Steve Langlas
Laura Linderman-Barker
Jim Markel
USMC Veteran
Jim McCray
Matt McKenna
Eddie Merideth
Heather Nauert
Steve Newberry
US Navy Veteran
Chris Oliver
USMC Veteran
Ed Rutledge
Charley Snell
US Navy Veteran
AshLee Strong
James Ulmer
Brian Gilman
Chief Executive Officer
Mike Powell
Chief Operating Officer
Chip Raybon
Chief Program Officer
Emily Sather, CFRE
Chief Development Officer
Adam Remillard, CPA
Finance Director
Ann Leuprecht, CFRE
Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager
Audrey Chorak
Director of Program Operations
Casey Giles
Alumni Engagement Manager
Claire Gilbert
Director of Warrior Experience
Gabrielle Brower
Marketing Intern
Genevieve Kulaski
Event Manager
James Hedges
Volunteer Manager
Jenny Thuen
Development Associate
Jesse LeNeve
Director of Program Operations
Justin Kreis
Operations Lead
Larry Weidinger
Program Facilitator
Liz Shull
Annual Fund Manager
Onno Wieringa
Program Operations Manager
Ryan Olson
Facilities Manager
Stevie Thieme
Marketing Director
Thriving veterans contribute to thriving communities and that means a better future for all of us.- Mission & Vision Statement
PROGRAM BY THE NUMBERS
Number of
participants
Number of
programs
Programs
since
founding
program
volunteers
NUMBERS BY STATE
2023 Built for More Participant
WQW IN THE NEWS
Foundation helps female veterans transition back into civilian life
Good Morning America
Read Article
Classical piano concert to feature Warriors & Quiet Waters founder, Eric Hastings
Explore Big Sky
Read Article
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Montana-based film to host state premiere in Bozeman
Explore Big Sky
Read Article2023 Built for More Participant
A Letter from the
Board Treasurer
Meeting the Needs of Today While Standing Ready for the Future
A key focus of the 2023-2028 strategic plan is expanding WQW’s resource engine to meet the current and future needs of post-9/11 combat veterans. WQW recognizes that achieving future goals requires retaining current supporters and attracting new supporters to our mission. The generosity of donors who believe and invest in WQW’s mission, combined with prudent fiscal management and a sharp focus on the future, ensured WQW’s revenue exceeded expenses in 2023. Outside of meeting our operational fundraising requirement of $4M, WQW received an additional $1.2M in restricted donations. These restrictions are intended to meet future needs and fall outside annual operational expenses. 2023 restricted donations were allocated as follows:
- 15% was applied to the program-focused Henry H. and Marion S. Uihlein Warrior Endowment. Endowments are critical as they provide a stable and predictable annual source of income. This stability helps WQW to plan and execute long-term initiatives. 2023 endowment withdrawals provided 9% of 2023’s annual operating costs.
- 34% will be used to complete the purchase of a 30-acre fishing property in 2024, ensuring Warriors and their loved ones have guaranteed access to high-quality fly fishing while participating in Montana-based programs;
- 51% is being responsibly invested and will serve as an initial contribution in future capital-improvements projects.
Thank you to everyone who invested in WQW in 2023, ensuring WQW’s Warriors have the tools to thrive and live purpose-driven lives after military service.
Figures are unaudited at the time of this publication’s printing. Numbers are rounded to the thousandth. If you would like more details on our financials, please contact the WQW office.
Ed Brandt
Treasurer
2023 Financials
Revenue
General Contributions
$2,353,000
Restricted Contributions
$1,200,000
Events
$787,000
New Pledges
$235,000
Endowment Withdrawals
$463,000
In-Kind
$184,000
General Contributions
$2,353,000
Restricted Contributions
$1,200,000
Events
$787,000
New Pledges
$235,000
Endowment Withdrawals
$463,000
In-Kind
$184,000
Total: $5,222,000
Expenses
Direct Program Expenses
$2,850,000
Core Mission Support (Development and Donor Engagement)
$939,000
Core Mission Support (Finance, Human Resources, Administration)
$243,000
Total: $4,032,000
2024 Hunt for Purpose Participant
