Spirit of America Worldwide

Spirit of America is a privately-funded nonprofit citizen service organization founded in response to the attacks of 9/11. We have pioneered a new model of providing philanthropic private assistance to support national security and the safety and success of America's troops and diplomats. We unite the American people with US troops and diplomats in common cause; to defend freedom, strengthen security, and save and improve lives. Spirit of America's partnership with the US military results in asymmetric impact: we are able to deliver targeted private assistance efficiently and at scale in the world's toughest places. (Continued on Schedule O)In 2024 we prioritized assistance that met the highest needs and priorities of US troops and diplomats, align with top national security objectives, and help save and improve the most lives.1. Eastern Europe: To save lives and help Ukraine defend its freedom against Russian aggression, Spirit of America provided nonlethal assistance that enables Ukrainian soldiers to identify threats, provide protection to the frontlines, and help them stay alive. Our assistance included investing in a high-impact program that helps the Ukrainian military safeguard billions of dollars in equipment and protect tens of thousands of troops and civilian lives; computers, mobile phones, and other communications equipment to support a secure communications network that identifies threats, saves soldiers' lives, and spares attacks on Ukrainian people and critical infrastructure; and high-priority nonlethal needs for elite units, including surveillance drones, drone jammers, tactical gear, and advanced medical equipment. We also supported an educational program to teach entrepreneurial skills to Ukrainian youth and provided funding to help them implement projects to rebuild their war-affected communities.2. Middle East and Central Asia: To promote regional stability, strengthen security, and create opportunity for youth and families in vulnerable communities, Spirit of America provided assistance to partners and programs across the Middle East and Central Asia. In Iraqi Kurdistan, we strengthened the Peshmerga's capabilities by providing surveillance tools to detect ISIS and proxy groups operating in remote areas; by expanding a Peshmerga English language program to improve tactical interoperability with US Special Operations Forces; and by supporting a new, centralized medical force readiness system to strengthen Peshmerga health services and reporting. In Syria, we provided life saving mine removal equipment to expand landmine removal operations. We provided blankets and food assistance to Syrian families who were displaced by conflict. Through educational programs and community engagement, we empowered thousands of Afghan refugees and students to build a better future in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan.3. Asia-Pacific: To protect frontlines of democracy and deter aggression across the Asia-Pacific region, Spirit of America worked with US troops and diplomats to provide nonlethal assistance that strengthened relationships and built the capacity of host nation governmental and nongovernmental entities, including host nation armed forces. In Taiwan, we helped citizens take action to preserve their way of life in the face of threats to their security and democracy. We partnered with the Taiwanese government and civil society to train thousands of citizens in crisis preparedness skills to build Taiwan's resilience to any crisis. We also partnered with local nonprofits to educate Taiwanese people on the skills they need to keep their families safe in the event of a crisis, as well as to educate people on ways to address the spread of false information. We also provided nonlethal assistance to partners of the US military in the Philippines.4. Africa: Spirit of America helped US troops strengthen partnerships to protect communities under threat in West Africa, where terrorist groups have destabilized the Sahel region and now threaten the democratic countries of the coast. We provided humanitarian and economic assistance to vulnerable communities, building trust, cooperation, and security between local communities and those who serve them. In Benin, we provided medical supplies to thousands of families at temporary medical field clinics in rural communities; improved schools and access to clean water; treated the livestock of tribal groups who are particularly vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups; and helped the Beninese military educate local people on terrorist threats and where they can go for help. In East Africa, we supported an agriculture project in Comoros to strengthen the island nation's economic resilience.