Spirit of America's mission is to help Americans serving abroad assist local people in need.  We respond to requests from American military and civilian personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa for items that will help local people.

Our objectives are to:

• Increase the reach, scale and impact of the informal humanitarian activities that take place on the front lines in troubled regions.
• Contribute charitable goods that can have a positive, practical and timely impact in the local communities where American personnel are involved.
• Establish connections and strengthen bonds between the American people and those in countries struggling for freedom and democracy.

Spirit of America is a 501c3 nonprofit supported solely through private-sector contributions. Our Federal Tax ID number is 20-1687786. Donations to Spirit of America and the projects we feature are tax deductible.

Some of our supporters see Spirit of America as a way to support our troops by helping them be safer and more successful with their mission.  Others see us as a way to help people who have suffered from repression, terrorism and war.   And others see Spirit of America as a way to help advance freedom and peace. We are all of those things.

What We Do

Spirit of America helps American military and civilian personnel serving in Afghanistan, Africa and Iraq. We fulfill requests from American personnel for goods that improve the lives of local people. This improves relations and helps save lives.

We have provided school and medical supplies, sewing machines, hand tools, watches, water barrels, farming tools, clothing, sporting goods and toys in response to needs identified by American personnel.

We provide timely and effective assistance where it is needed most on the front lines. The Wall Street Journal says, “Jim Hake’s organizational insight is to deploy the best practices of the modern U.S. economy - efficiency and speed - around the margins of the Iraq war effort.” The Journal adds, “Jim Hake and the Marines are a coalition of the can-do.”

American soldiers tell us our work “literally saves lives.” LtCol David Couvillon says, “They say there aren’t any ‘silver bullets’ for improving things in Iraq. I don’t know. Spirit of America just might be a silver bullet.” And, ] General James Mattis of the Marines says, “The initiative and focused support provided by Spirit of America is beyond anything we have experienced.”

Spirit of America was founded in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Like many Americans, we wanted to do something to help. Since we started more than 10,000 people have contributed to our projects.

Through Spirit of America every American can make a difference in the world’s most troubled regions.

Background

Spirit of America was founded by Jim Hake, a businessman who The Los Angeles Times says, "draws on a fundamental faith that his country is trying hard to be all that it aspires to." 9/11 made apparent to him, as with many, that America and the freedoms America symbolizes are at risk. Having benefited from those freedoms and being familiar with the sacrifices of those who have served America, Jim sought an opportunity to contribute.

Inspired by the activities of Jay Smith and U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan, Hake sought to encourage and empower Americans serving abroad who wanted to take the initiative to help the communities where they serve.

"It was clear to me that expanding positive interactions on the front lines could both assist those in need and help America further reflect and perpetuate the ideals for which it stands." - Jim Hake