Historic investment will strengthen K9s For Warriors’ national infrastructure, expand access to Service Dogs and help meet the growing needs of Veterans 

PONTE VEDRA, Fla. — October 19, 2026 — K9s For Warriors, the nation’s leading provider of Service Dogs to military Veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and/or military sexual trauma (MST), announced today the award of a $7.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The grant – the largest in K9s For Warriors history – will be used to further build the capacity, infrastructure and resources necessary to meet the growing needs of Veterans while delivering sustainable, measurable mission impact. 

The nonprofit organization, founded 15 years ago this year in 2011, remains committed to giving Veterans hope and healing by providing trained Service Dogs to Veterans with the invisible wounds of war – at no financial cost to the Veteran. Beyond K9s For Warriors’ dedication to saving Veterans, the organization goes the extra mile by also saving rescue dogs, giving them a second chance and new purpose as life-changing Service Dogs. 

With this grant, over the next several years K9s For Warriors will focus on expanding access to its programs, increasing the pipeline of Service Dogs readily available for pairings, investing in workforce development and specialized training resources, and modernizing organizational technology, data and operational systems. 

“This historic investment will help strengthen the foundation behind our mission, ensuring we have the people, resources and infrastructure to meet the growing demand for our programs,” said K9s For Warriors CEO Daniel Bean. “By investing in our capacity for the future, we can reach more Veterans in need while continuing to rescue dogs and give them the opportunity to change lives. We’re grateful for Lilly Endowment’s support for our work and the long-term impact it will make possible.” 

At the heart of K9s For Warriors’ mission is a commitment to saving lives at both ends of the leash, having rescued more than 2,500 dogs to date. By primarily rescuing dogs from shelters and training them to become Service Dogs, the organization gives these dogs a second chance while helping Veterans navigate the invisible wounds of war. This dual-impact mission remains central to K9s For Warriors’ efforts to expand its reach and save more lives. 

“With this grant from Lilly Endowment, K9s For Warriors aims to adequately scale its national mission to end Veteran suicide by investing in areas that will strengthen our reach, improve our operational efficiency and grow our national brand awareness,” said K9s For Warriors Chief Revenue Officer Lindsay Grayson Maple. “We are incredibly grateful to Lilly Endowment for not only believing in our organization but helping ensure K9s For Warriors is positioned to serve more Veterans and rescue more dogs for years to come.” 

K9s For Warriors is one of several organizations that has received the grants from Lilly Endowment that are designed to help military and Veteran serving organizations across the United States strengthen their work with members of the armed services, Veterans and their families. 

“Military service members, Veterans and their families are extremely resilient, though military service and the transition to civilian life often pose significant challenges. Service members, Veterans, families and caregivers often need assistance with housing, childcare, food insecurity, mental and physical health, employment, comprehensive case management, and building communities of support,” said Lilly Endowment Vice President for Community Development Ronni Kloth. “We are pleased to be able to help organizations that provide crucial support that promotes the resiliency of those in the military and our nation’s Veterans and their families.”   

To learn more about K9s For Warriors, visit k9sforwarriors.org. 

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About K9s For Warriors  

Determined to end Veteran suicide, K9s For Warriors is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization that provides trained Service Dogs to military Veterans nationwide suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma — at no financial cost to the Veteran. Backed by groundbreaking scientific research from the University of Arizona’s OHAIRE Lab, the program demonstrates how Service Dogs can help mitigate symptoms of PTSD while simultaneously restoring confidence and independence. Founded in 2011 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, K9s For Warriors is committed to saving lives at both ends of the leash by primarily rescuing dogs and pairing them with Veterans in need. The organization is also dedicated to raising awareness about Veterans’ mental health and driving policy-level reform. To date, K9s has paired more than 1,350 Veterans across all 50 states with life-changing Service Dogs and rescued more than 2,500 dogs. To learn more or apply for a Service Dog, visit K9sForWarriors.org.  

About Lilly Endowment Inc. 

Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. Although the Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. 

Media Contact: 

Dani Bozzini  

dbozzini@k9sforwarriors.org