Press

Operation Healing Forces Secures $11M Future Endowment Through The Ripple Plan

TAMPA, Fla. – Operation Healing Forces (OHF) is proud to announce a significant milestone in securing the long-term financial stability of our mission to support wounded, ill, injured, and fallen Special Operations Forces (SOF) service members and their families. Through the innovative Ripple Plan, OHF has successfully established an $11 million future endowment, ensuring sustained funding for generations to come.

This groundbreaking initiative, made possible by San Diego-based RAF Strategies, represents a transformational approach to nonprofit financial planning. By leveraging unused insurability, the Ripple Plan offers a tenfold return on investment compared to traditional endowment models, ensuring legally binding commitments and unparalleled financial security for OHF.

“With the Ripple Plan, OHF can now look to the future with confidence, knowing that our ability to serve Special Operations Forces and their families remains strong and unwavering,” said Gary Markel, Founder and Chairman of OHF. “This initiative empowers our dedicated donors to maximize their impact and leave a lasting legacy in support of our mission.”

Developed by Rob Fink, J.D., CEO of RAF Strategies, the Ripple Plan is revolutionizing nonprofit funding. “The Ripple Plan ensures that organizations like OHF can focus on their core mission without the constant challenge of financial uncertainty,” Fink stated. “This model delivers sustainable, guaranteed resources, providing a new era of financial security for nonprofits.”

Research conducted by leading experts, including Russell James III, Ph.D., J.D., CFP, the American Council on Gift Annuities, and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, highlights the power of planned giving strategies like the Ripple Plan. Data shows that donors who commit to future giving often increase their annual contributions, reinforcing long-term sustainability for nonprofit organizations.

The Importance of Proactive Endowment Planning:

Only 1 in 9 nonprofits in the U.S. have a sizable endowment.
80% of Americans donate to charity, but only 5% include a nonprofit in their estate plans.
Without an endowment, nonprofits relying solely on bequests and annual giving risk long-term financial instability.
Sustainable endowments prevent organizations from facing financial crises 10-20 years down the line.
Following Eisenhower’s Matrix, building an endowment is ‘Not Urgent but Important’—a critical priority for nonprofit leaders before it becomes an emergency.

Operation Healing Forces remains dedicated to strengthening the lives of our SOF heroes and their families. The $11 million future endowment established through the Ripple Plan™ secures a legacy of support, allowing us to continue providing transformative programs that promote long-term mental, physical, emotional, and financial well-being.

To learn more about Operation Healing Forces, please visit www.operationhealingforces.org. 

For more information on the Ripple Plan, visit www.rippleplan.org.

About Operation Healing Forces Founded in 2011 by Gary and Tony Markel, Operation Healing Forces is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to serving wounded, ill, injured, and fallen SOF service members, veterans, their families, and caregivers through unique programs designed to enhance long-term well-being. 

For more information, visit www.operationhealingforces.org.

About RAF Strategies LLC Since 2019, RAF Strategies LLC has specialized in helping nonprofits secure guaranteed, irrevocable, and sustainable endowments through its proprietary Ripple Plan.

For more information, visit www.rafstrategies.com.