Elizabeth Dole Foundation Releases 2025 Annual Impact Report, Marking 14 Years of Support for Military and Veteran Caregivers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2026
Media Contact: Jodi Sheedy
Elizabeth Dole Foundation
media@elizabethdolefoundation.org
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 18, 2026 — The Elizabeth Dole Foundation today released its 2025 Annual Impact Report, detailing a year of expanded support for America's 14.3 million military and veteran caregivers and the 5.5 million children growing up in their households.
Founded in 2012 by Senator Elizabeth Dole, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation has spent fourteen years building a national movement to recognize, support, and connect caregivers and their families to the resources they need.
"I am pleased to share the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's Annual Impact Report for 2025," said Steve Schwab, Chief Executive Officer of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. "Last year, we released a bold, new strategic plan—one that anchors our work around four strategic pillars and builds on the success of our first fourteen years elevating, supporting, and empowering America's military and veteran caregivers to build a national movement."
In 2025, the Foundation tripled the number of caregivers receiving direct support, delivering nearly $1.5 million in financial assistance and helping 688 military and veteran caregivers avoid eviction, pay essential bills, escape domestic violence, and access medical care. The Foundation also grew its Dole Caregiver Fellows program to more than 300 members representing every state, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories—including its first-ever second-generation Fellow.
On Capitol Hill, the Foundation helped secure passage of the bipartisan Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act of 2025 and the extension of VA caregiver benefits eligibility for more than 14,000 families.
The year was marked by three major gatherings: the 10th Annual National Convening in Washington, D.C. in May, which brought together caregivers, policymakers, and supporters to chart the next decade of the Foundation's work; the Supporting Caregivers in the Workforce Summit in October, co-hosted with the SHRM Foundation to advance solutions at the intersection of caregiving, business strategy, and public policy; and a record-breaking 8th Annual Heroes & History Makers Gala in December, an official America250 event that raised more than $4 million.
With a year of increased support, legislative progress, and renewed community, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's 2025 Annual Impact Report captures the full scope of what was accomplished—and lays the groundwork for the future of caring for military families.
Read the 2025 Annual Impact Report.
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About the Elizabeth Dole Foundation
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is the preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation’s 14.3 million military and veteran caregivers—the spouses, parents, siblings, family members, and friends who care for America’s wounded, ill, or injured service members and veterans. Established by Sen. Elizabeth Dole in 2012, the foundation works to empower military and veteran caregivers, their families, and their communities through programs, partnerships, and advocacy that drive innovative, impactful, and sustainable solutions. Visit elizabethdolefoundation.org for more information.