Our Foundation | Bob Woodruff Foundation

Our Mission

We ensure that our nation’s veterans, service members,
and their families — those who stood for us — have stable
and successful futures.

Bob and Lee Woodruff’s Story

The Woodruffs seemed to have it all.

In 2006, Bob was reporting on the transfer of power between US and Iraqi security forces for ABC’s “World News Tonight.” Bob’s armored vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb, and he sustained a life-threatening traumatic brain injury.

Due to quick actions of brave soldiers, medics, and military medical professionals, Bob’s life was saved. Within days, he was transported to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

There, Bob spent 36 days in a medically-induced coma. Lee got to know the families of service members dealing with the impact of hidden injuries such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression.

As Bob recovered, the Woodruff family resolved to
raise awareness about the tough challenges veterans and military families are facing, and invest in solutions to help support them in the next chapter of their lives.

Today the Bob Woodruff Foundation complements our government’s work, and ensures that our veterans are thriving long after they return home.

Our 2023 Focus Areas

  • Community Building
  • Emergency Financial Assistance
  • Employment
  • Food Insecurity
  • Housing
  • Legal Support
  • Mental Health & Wellbeing

Our 2023 Focus Areas

  • Community Building
  • Emergency Financial Assistance
  • Employment
  • Food Insecurity
  • Housing
  • Legal Support
  • Mental Health & Wellbeing

Impact Stories

How does our work
ensure that our veterans and service members are supported and successful?

Oct 2
PROVE: Empowering Student Veterans 
PROVE (Project for Return and Opportunity in Veterans Education) supports student veterans on New York City College campuses by giving them access the resources they need to successfully transition from… Read More
Sep 25
STRIVE’s Dedication to Suicide Prevention
Our Got Your 6 Network partner Suicide and Trauma Reduction Initiative for Veterans (STRIVE) offers hope in the fight against suicide in veteran communities, and is recognized for its dedication… Read More
Aug 25
The Mission Continues Empowers Veterans Through Service
The transition from military service to civilian life can be challenging, and organizations that focus on the well-being of veterans while empowering them to continue their service are important. The… Read More
Aug 25
Illuminating the Path to Stronger Mental Health for Children in Military Families 
Amid the sacrifices of military life, there are often-overlooked struggles faced by the children in these families that need our attention. The mental well-being of children of military families is… Read More
Aug 22
Meet the Housing Heroes of the Bay Area 
In the heart of the Bay Area, an ongoing challenge persists as unhoused veterans confront the hardship of homelessness. Local support organizations and Got your 6 Partners are determined in… Read More
Aug 9
Friendship Place is Here For LGBTQ+ Veterans
It’s been over a decade since the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), yet LGBTQ+ veterans are at greater risk of economic insecurity, housing instability, and mental health issues… Read More
Jul 20
Empowering Military Children with Our Military Kids 
Growing up in a military family comes with challenges and experiences vastly different from those of civilians. Military kids face many unique circumstances that can profoundly shape their lives, like… Read More
Jul 13
Operation Stand Down Tennessee: Empowering Veterans for Successful Transitions
This weekend, the Bob Woodruff Foundation will join our longtime partners, Operation Stand Down Tennessee (OSDTN) for the Music City Ruck March and Got Your 6 VetFest. Since 1993, OSDTN… Read More

The Got Your 6 Network

National Reach. Local Impact.

The Bob Woodruff Foundation’s Got Your 6 Network includes our best-in-class grantees and our national network of locally-based community veterans’ organizations. With partners across the country, our growing network reaches millions of veterans and their families where they live and work.

Our Ongoing Initiatives

With our continuing efforts in veteran fertility assistance, scientific research partnerships, and community collaboration, we identify, pursue and champion areas of need that are most critical to the population we serve.

Our Ongoing Initiatives

With our continuing efforts in veteran fertility assistance, scientific research partnerships, and community collaboration, we identify, pursue and champion areas of need that are most critical to the population we serve.

Our Team

Bob Woodruff Foundation’s leadership team brings experience from defense, media, healthcare, philanthropy, business, and government.

Anne Marie Dougherty

Chief Executive Officer

As Chief Executive Officer of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Anne Marie Dougherty oversees and funds the nation’s largest nongovernmental network of veteran service providers, which, according to Forbes, helps veterans not only navigate the 40,000+ organizations that provide services to them, but also helps veterans heal from the physical and psychological wounds of war. With A-list celebrities and philanthropic institutions at our side – Bruce Springsteen, the NFL, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, MacKenzie Scott, Jon Stewart, Lee Ann Womack, Mickey Guyton – and our country’s highest-ranked military and national security leaders, we have invested more than $100 million in best-in-class veterans programming across the country. Our product is peace of mind – for veterans, for veteran-serving organizations, and for philanthropists looking to invest efficiently and effectively in veteran services.

As a military spouse, Anne Marie’s connection to the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s mission is personal. She has lived experience as a Marine spouse during war time combat deployments and through multiple duty station moves. When she tells veterans, their families, and their caregivers that the Bob Woodruff Foundation has “Got Your 6,” she means it. She regularly speaks to media outlets ranging from ESPN, to NPR, TIME, CBS, and Fox to raise awareness for veteran needs.

Anne Marie is active with her two young boys in their local community, including through their sports teams and schools. She serves on the Board of Directors of the UN Women for Peace Association, as an Advisory Board Member for Game Changers Institute, and as a NationSwell Council Member. Anne Marie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communications from Drexel University.

Our Team

Bob Woodruff Foundation’s leadership team brings experience from defense, media, healthcare, philanthropy, business, and government.

Anne Marie Dougherty

Chief Executive Officer

Anne Marie Dougherty is the Chief Executive Officer of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. She is an award-winning marketer, industry thought-leader, and passionate champion for our nation’s veterans and their families. Under her dynamic approach to leadership and management, the Foundation has grown from a small regional organization to a top-tier, nationally recognized brand and market leader. Dougherty has disrupted the traditional fundraising approach, leveraging metrics, relationships, and results to maximize the foundation’s $80 million investment impact. She utilizes an entrepreneurial approach in moving the foundation forward. She has established a standard of excellence that permeates the entire organization.

Since she took on the role in 2011, Dougherty transformed the Foundation’s annual Stand Up for Heroes event. Today, the event is a sustainable business model and growth engine that has raised over $66 million. Dougherty has broken new ground in programming and partnerships, establishing the Foundation as an innovative hub for collaboration among partners. These include the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Football League, the Embassy of the State of Qatar to The Royal Foundation in the United Kingdom.

Dougherty was named The Nonprofit Times and American Marketing Association “Nonprofit Marketer of the Year” in 2012. She has received multiple awards on behalf of the Foundation’s industry-leading impact. She is a Leadership Council member of Nationswell, and a member of the Board of Directors for the UN Women for Peace Association. Dougherty has appeared on broadcast outlets including ESPN, Cheddar TV, Fox News, MSNBC to discuss the Foundation’s work. She has been featured in articles in USA Today, CBS News, Forbes, TIME Magazine, the Military Times. Dougherty has been a keynote speaker at industry events on topics including veterans, military families, high impact grantmaking, philanthropy, and women in leadership.

Our Transparency and Accountability

Transparency is where confidence begins, the foundation of trust, where problem-solving starts.
– General Martin Dempsey, U.S. Army, Retired; Bob Woodruff Foundation Board Member

As a 501(c)(3) public charity, the Bob Woodruff Foundation relies upon the support of generous donors to fulfill our mission and we hold ourselves to the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

Bob Woodruff Foundation 501(c)(3) Letter
Top-Rated Charity
  • We will pursue opportunities to ensure that veterans and service members have access to the same quality of recovery support that Bob Woodruff and his family received.
  • We will meet veteran needs no matter how intractable a problem seems. If a solution doesn’t exist, we will create one.
  • We will remain steadfast in our commitment to meet veterans’ evolving needs through the impactful and effective programs.
  • We will devote as much diligence to raising funds as we do to allocating them. We will maintain the highest commitment to transparency and highest standards for stewarding the funds entrusted to us.
  • We will maintain industry-leading subject matter expertise on veterans’ needs and the programs that support them. In doing so, we will rely on local and national data and input.
  • We will share our expertise to do more good for more veterans.
  • We will emulate the generosity of spirit that our founders and military families demonstrate each day.

Press Room

Get the latest on how we’re investing to ensure our service members and veterans thrive.

Sep 28
BlackRock to Host Bob Woodruff Foundation’s VOWS Symposium for Veterans Returning to the Civilian Workforce
Military veterans, spouses, service members who are returning to the civilian workforce, and corporate hiring managers are invited to attend the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s VOWS Symposium on November 2, 2023,… Read More
Sep 27
The Embassy of the State of Qatar Announces a $5 Million Gift to the Bob Woodruff Foundation
The Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) has received a $5 million donation from longtime partner, the Embassy of the State of Qatar. Through December 2024, the Foundation will invest the funds… Read More
Sep 6
17th Annual Stand Up for Heroes, Presented by the Bob Woodruff Foundation and the New York Comedy Festival, Returns to New York
Jimmy Carr, Ronny Chieng, Shane Gillis, Josh Groban, John Mellencamp, Tracy Morgan, Jon Stewart, The War and Treaty, Rita Wilson and More to Take the Stage to Honor Our Nation’s… Read More
Aug 21
The Bob Woodruff Foundation Publishes Understanding the PACT Act
the Bob Woodruff Foundation has published Understanding the PACT Act to help – address misinformation about eligibility and claims and – ensure that those who may be eligible for expanded… Read More
Jun 28
The Bob Woodruff Foundation Highlights Challenges of Military Service that Can Impact Fertility
Brief Presents Recommendations to Help Military Families Struggling with Service-Connected Infertility  (New York NY, June 28) Military service can negatively affect fertility and intimacy. In fact, service members experience infertility at… Read More
Jun 9
Craig Newmark Philanthropies Pledges $100 Million to Nonprofits that Support Veterans and Military Families
Craig Newmark Philanthropies (CNP) announced today that it will donate $100 million to a broad coalition of organizations dedicated to supporting veterans and military families, led by the Bob Woodruff… Read More
Jun 8
The Bob Woodruff Foundation Prioritizes Military Children’s Mental Health in Spring 2023 Investments
The Bob Woodruff Foundation has invested over $2.9 million in 21 organizations that work to ensure that veterans, service members, and their families have stable and successful futures. I
Jun 1
Got Your 6 VetFest Salutes Military Community in Middle Tennessee with Free Star-Studded Event
Gretchen Wilson, Brian Kelley, The War and Treaty, Briston Maroney and Ashley Cooke to perform For the second consecutive year, the Bob Woodruff Foundation chose Nashville to host its Got… Read More

Press Room

Get the latest on how we’re investing to ensure our service members and veterans thrive.

Sep 28
BlackRock to Host Bob Woodruff Foundation’s VOWS Symposium for Veterans Returning to the Civilian Workforce
Military veterans, spouses, service members who are returning to the civilian workforce, and corporate hiring managers are invited to attend the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s VOWS Symposium on November 2, 2023,… Read More
Sep 27
The Embassy of the State of Qatar Announces a $5 Million Gift to the Bob Woodruff Foundation
The Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) has received a $5 million donation from longtime partner, the Embassy of the State of Qatar. Through December 2024, the Foundation will invest the funds… Read More
Sep 6
17th Annual Stand Up for Heroes, Presented by the Bob Woodruff Foundation and the New York Comedy Festival, Returns to New York
Jimmy Carr, Ronny Chieng, Shane Gillis, Josh Groban, John Mellencamp, Tracy Morgan, Jon Stewart, The War and Treaty, Rita Wilson and More to Take the Stage to Honor Our Nation’s… Read More
Aug 21
The Bob Woodruff Foundation Publishes Understanding the PACT Act
the Bob Woodruff Foundation has published Understanding the PACT Act to help – address misinformation about eligibility and claims and – ensure that those who may be eligible for expanded… Read More
Jun 28
The Bob Woodruff Foundation Highlights Challenges of Military Service that Can Impact Fertility
Brief Presents Recommendations to Help Military Families Struggling with Service-Connected Infertility  (New York NY, June 28) Military service can negatively affect fertility and intimacy. In fact, service members experience infertility at… Read More
Jun 9
Craig Newmark Philanthropies Pledges $100 Million to Nonprofits that Support Veterans and Military Families
Craig Newmark Philanthropies (CNP) announced today that it will donate $100 million to a broad coalition of organizations dedicated to supporting veterans and military families, led by the Bob Woodruff… Read More
Jun 8
The Bob Woodruff Foundation Prioritizes Military Children’s Mental Health in Spring 2023 Investments
The Bob Woodruff Foundation has invested over $2.9 million in 21 organizations that work to ensure that veterans, service members, and their families have stable and successful futures. I
Jun 1
Got Your 6 VetFest Salutes Military Community in Middle Tennessee with Free Star-Studded Event
Gretchen Wilson, Brian Kelley, The War and Treaty, Briston Maroney and Ashley Cooke to perform For the second consecutive year, the Bob Woodruff Foundation chose Nashville to host its Got… Read More

Get Support

Are you a veteran or family member looking for initiatives and assistance? Or are you an organization in need? We’ve got your 6.

Get Support

Give Support

Interested in supporting our work to ensure veterans and service members have access to the service and resources they deserve? Donate.

Give Support

Get Support

Are you a veteran or family member looking for initiatives and assistance? Or are you an organization in need? We’ve got your 6.

Get Support

Give Support

Interested in supporting our work to ensure veterans and service members have access to the service and resources they deserve? Donate.

Give Support