IAVA Mission and History

Who We Are:

IAVA is a 21st Century veterans’ organization dedicated to standing with the 2.3 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan from their first day home through the rest of their lives. In just the last year, IAVA has connected hundreds of veterans with employers, helped over 100,000 go to college on the new GI Bill, and provided mental health support to over 50,000. Sign up to become an IAVA Member Veteran or Civilian Supporter today!

Who is an IAVA member veteran?

IAVA’s average member veteran is:

• Male - 88.7%
• 26-30 Years old - 33.1%
• Veteran of the Iraq War - 68.4%
• Served in the Army - 67.6%
• Student - 36.8% or has a Civilian job - 35.5%
• Married with children - 40.4%
• Owns their own home - 44.6%
• Politically independent - 35.2%

Our Mission & Vision:

To improve the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. We strive to build an empowered generation of veterans who provide sustainable leadership for our country and their communities.

Our Impact:

IAVA delivers services, resources and support to our membership of over 100,000 Iraq and Afghanistan member Veterans. We have a three-pronged approach to generating transformative change in the lives of veterans and their families in four critical impact areas: health, education, employment and community building. Our strategic approach includes:

• Assistance: through online and on-the-ground engagement, IAVA creates, optimizes and expands assistance to veterans that directly impacts Health, Education, Employment and Community. IAVA hosts hundreds of events nationwide each year creating opportunities for veterans and their families to connect with each other and gain access to customized health care, education and employment services. Online, IAVA provides a unique support network that empowers veterans to connect with one another, fostering a strong and lasting community.

• Awareness: IAVA advances public awareness around the unique challenges and opportunities facing veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. IAVA makes veterans a part of the national media conversation, shaping the dialogue and connecting the 99% of the population who have not served in OIF or OEF, with the 1% who have.

• Advocacy: IAVA advocates for policies that benefit veterans and their families by increasing support and access to mental health, education, employment and community.

Our History:

IAVA was founded in 2004 by current Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff and his fellow Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. After returning home from their tours, these veterans came together after quickly becoming concerned with the way the war in Iraq was being portrayed in the media and the overall plight of newly returned veterans.

There were many policy experts and talking heads on TV, but very few people who had actually served on the ground in Iraq or Afghanistan. There was no one talking about what veterans needed and the issues they faced. The creation of IAVA has allowed thousands of veterans to join the national dialogue, and to explain what was really happening on the ground overseas and back home. Meet IAVA's Staff and Board of Directors.

Donate today! Show our nation’s heroes that you have their backs by making an investment in IAVA.