TikTok Announces 'Veteran Voices' & $10 million to 10 veteran organizations

TikTok has launched a new "Veteran Voices" initiative, committing $1,000,000 for 10 non-profits dedicated to supporting veterans and their families. Non-profit partners will receive $1,000,000 in total support, including $500,000 in cash donations and $500,000 in TikTok ad credits to help them connect with their community, rally support for their cause and raise money to further their missions:

"Partnering with TikTok is an incredible opportunity for Team Rubicon to amplify our mission. I'm excited about how this partnership will enhance our efforts to uplift veterans and create meaningful change in our communities. Together, we can engage and inspire a new generation to honor and support those who have bravely served." - Art Delacruz, CEO of Team Rubicon

Veteran Voices focuses on key challenges afflicting this community - mental health, affordable housing, and employment. Together, these trusted organizations will leverage TikTok's influential community of creators and engage audiences to provide critical support to those in need.

"We're honored to broaden our reach, sharing the stories of our fallen heroes and their families while shining a light on mental health and suicide prevention. This collaboration strengthens our mission to honor those who served and sacrificed, building a community united in healing and remembrance. Through sharing survivors' stories, we create living legacies that ensure our heroes' courage and love endure." - Bonnie Carroll, retired Air Force Reserve officer and surviving Army spouse, President, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

#VeteransofTikTok Creator Spotlight

Today we're also spotlighting 10 creators who use TikTok to educate and entertain the creator community while making a significant impact both on and off the platform. Partners in the Veterans Voices program will also collaborate with these creators, producing compelling content that resonates deeply with their audience and drives greater awareness of their organizations' missions:

@cattleguy (Hubbard, TX) - Brian Firebaugh is a dedicated Texas cattle rancher, Netflix personality, and content creator hailing from Hubbard, Texas. With a passion for agriculture, he utilizes his platform to advocate for the farming/ranching community while bringing smiles to faces across the world. Through his work, Brian not only educates about ranching but also connects with audiences in a meaningful way, making agriculture relatable and entertaining.

@deshaunathespeaker (St. Louis, MO) - Deshauna Barber is an international motivational speaker and Army veteran who became the first soldier in history to win Miss USA in 2016. In 2019, she became the youngest President and CEO of the Service Women's Action Network, championing women's rights on Capitol Hill. Deshauna's mission is to empower others through her story of overcoming adversity and achieving success.

@hanelinetwins (North Carolina) - Dwayne and Wayne Haneline spent their early years as showmen, singing as a duo before serving in Vietnam as fuel and electrical system repairmen. Returning to their performance roots, they use their platform on TikTok to inspire their followers through entertaining content.

@morrisonmade (Ryland Heights, KY) - Jeffrey Morrison is the owner of MorrisonMade Leather. Jeffrey got his degree in Civil Engineering, joined the Air Force, worked as a firefighter full time, and eventually went on to pursue his dream of starting a small business with his family. Established in 2019, this small family business makes high quality leather goods that are handmade in the USA and will last a lifetime.

@onestopchop (Stafford, Virginia) - Daven Gates (aka OneStopChop) is a creator and self-taught chef based in Stafford, VA and originally from Queens, New York who uses his platform to share his culinary expertise through his recipe videos. Daven is an Army veteran who served nine and a half years in service dedicating his life to his craft and being a steward of his profession as a legal specialist. Now, Daven uses his community he has built to share his mental health struggles and help others navigate theirs as they transition from the military or similar walks of life.

@patriotickenny (Mahtomedi, MN) - Kenny Jary, also known as "Patriotic Kenny," is a beloved veteran and TikTok creator from Mahtomedi, Minnesota. As a Navy veteran, Kenny uses his platform to spread positivity, support veterans, and share everyday stories that inspire others. Through the Patriotic Kenny Foundation, he helps get veterans out of isolation by providing free mobility scooters to veterans in need, changing lives one smile at a time.

@senazaddy (Lehi, UT) - Asena Johnson is a creator from Oahu, Hawaii who shares her passion for being a mother, Polynesian woman, and a veteran through her TikTok videos and LIVEs. She transitioned from being SSG (E6) Johnson to Mrs. Johnson after a 12-year career in the Army, and uses her platform to capture how she navigates life as a veteran - juggling maintaining her personal identity and staying committed to preserving her Samoan and Tongan culture while raising a young family.

@vibesinatl (Atlanta, GA) - Jarvis George, a U.S. Navy veteran who served as a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy, is now a full-time digital entrepreneur. He enjoys sharing content focused on food, travel, and lifestyle. He aims to promote local businesses and inspire his audience to explore and enjoy the world through his vibrant and engaging content.

@vivalavargas (Fort Cavazos, TX) - Johnny Vargas, better known as VivaLaVargas on TikTok, is a military community sensation that reaches millions of accounts every month to convey information about veterans benefits, trending military news stories, and funny military skits to the masses. As a full-time active duty senior enlisted service member transitioning into the civilian world, a father of four, and loving husband, he uses his platform to transform lives at any opportunity that he's given.

@war_hamster6 (North Carolina) - War Hamster is a former Air Force medic who shares a mix of goofy, fun content and relatable stories from her time in service. Her lighthearted TikTok content creates a welcoming space where veterans and supporters can laugh, connect, and enjoy the everyday moments of military life in and out of the military.

Supporting Veterans Voices

"After 20+ years serving our nation's post-9/11 veterans, Wounded Warrior Project is excited to bring our passion for veteran quality of life and total well-being to the TikTok community through this partnership. This platform allows us to connect with a new generation of veterans and veteran supporters by telling warriors' stories and collaborating with other creators. Together, we can change the way post-9/11 veterans are cared for and help them thrive for a lifetime." - Brea Kratzert Todd, Business Development Vice President, Wounded Warrior Project

Additionally, non-profit partners will participate in comprehensive training tailored specifically for non-profits, which includes guidance on LIVE, content creation, and platform safety to maximize their impact and reach on the platform.

TikTok will also be launching a newly updated donation sticker this fall, allowing users to support the organizations above. This feature will empower our community to contribute directly to causes they support and create a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact.

Highlighting #VeteransofTikTok

In conjunction with this campaign, TikTok is launching the SOAR Together Veteran Business Accelerator to empower 15 veteran entrepreneurs with professional coaching and mentorship to help them thrive in their communities. As a part of this program, TikTok will also be piloting a Veterans internship program in summer 2025 along with announcing a new yearlong paid military leave policy. 1 in 3 US veterans report using TikTok monthly based on data available via GWI Core, measured Q2 2024 among internet users ages 16-64. Through continued collaboration with non-profit organizations, creators, and our TikTok community, we look forward to continuing to raise awareness and foster a community where Veterans are supported - during Veterans Day and beyond.

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