2023 Annual Report
WARRIORS & QUIET WATERs
a letter from the
ceo + 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 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:
built for more
“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.”
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.
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.
strategic plan 2023-2028
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.
a heartfelt thank you
WARRIORS FIRST, ALWAYS.
Phil Uihlein
brian gilman
Board Chair, Board of Directors
Colonel, USMC (Ret.), Chief Executive Officer
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
our people
the community that makes it all happen
-
Phil Uihlein, Chair
Tim Richmond
Ed Brandt, Treasurer
Aaron Demro, Secretary, US Army Veteran
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
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, Col, USMC (Ret)
Mike Powell, Chief Operating Officer, LtCol, USMC (Ret)
Chip Raybon, Chief Program and Strategy Officer, MGySgt, USMC (Ret)
Emily Sather, Chief Development Officer, CFRE
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 -
Alice Owsley
Dropstone Outfitting
Bucks n Ducks Outfitters
Grant Grigsby
Gary Behrent
Joe Sowerby
Josh Duchateau
Justin Graff
Montana Buck's and Ducks
Montana Fly Fishing Connections
Montana Llama Guides of Bozeman
Nelson’s Guides and Flies
Upper Missouri Guide Service -
Alice Owsley
Capt. Craig Brewer
Capt. Dave Borras
Capt. Dave Denkert
Don Bedell
Emily Stawser
Gary Behrent
Grant Grigsby
Jackson Chaput
Jacquie Nelson
Jake Schupe
Josh Duchateau
Josh Tapp
Kara Schuett
Lindsay Szofran
Logan Sheets
Capt. Randy Stallings
Capt. Rick Ruoff
Rodney Thurman
Sean Gifford
Sky Jones
Tony Follen
Tucker Nelson
Whitney Gould
our mission + vision
Warriors & Quiet Waters empowers post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones to thrive and live purpose-driven lives through peak experiences in nature, meaningful relationships, and a sense of community.
Thriving veterans contribute to thriving communities and that means a better future for all of us.
program by the numbers
149
2x
Number of programs
Number of participants
141
224
Program volunteers
Programs since founding
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
Revenue
Endowment Withdrawals
$463,000
In-Kind
$184,000
New Pledges
$235,000
Events
$787,000
Restricted Contributions
$1,200,000
General Contributions
$2,353,000
Events
$787,000
New Pledges
$235,000
Endowment Withdrawals
$463,000
$2,353,000
General Contributions
$1,200,000
Restricted Contributions
In-Kind
$184,000
Total: $5,222,000
expenses
Core Mission Support
$243,000
Core Mission Support
$939,000
Direct Program Expenses
$2,850,000
$2,850,000
Direct Program Expenses
Core Mission Support (Development and Donor Engagement)
$939,000
Core Mission Support (Finance, Human Resources, Administration)
$243,000
Total: $4,032,000
“Some of the missing pieces that I have found through Hunt for Purpose have been comradeship, connection, purpose, service, confidence, and identity – all key building blocks to a thriving and meaningful life that would have been difficult, if not impossible, to find on my own.”
2024 Hunt for Purpose Participant