Home Depot Foundation reaches $250 million goal early

By Maria Saporta

In 2016, the Home Depot Foundation committed to investing $250 million veteran-related causes by 2020.

On Friday, the foundation will announce it has reached its $250 million goal – two years early.

Despite reaching its goal early, there’s no slowing down.

The Home Depot Foundation focused its giving on veteran causes beginning in 2011 (Special: The Home Depot Foundation)

“We are as committed as we have ever been to veterans,” said Shannon Gerber, president of the Home Depot Foundation, in a phone interview Thursday evening. “We are going to continue to serve them as they have served us.”

The Home Depot Foundation shifted its mission in 2011 to serve veterans, pledging to invest $30 million over three years to address housing for veterans.

“We’ve increased our commitment each time we have met a goal,” Gerber said. “We will announce our next goal on Veterans Day, and we will increase our commitment yet again.”

Gerber explained there still a critical need to serve veterans across the nation.

Every night, 39,000 veterans sleep on the streets. About 3.8 million veterans have a service-related disability, with more than 1,600 of them being amputees. There also are nearly 10 million senior veterans.

“Our work is not done,” Gerber said.

The foundation has built strong partnerships with organizations in its quest to serve veterans. They include theStephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the Semper Fi Fund, Habitat for Humanity International and Volunteers of America as well as many others, Since 2011, the Foundation has enhanced nearly 40,000 veteran homes and facilities in more than 2,500 cities.

“Our veterans have sacrificed for us to have our freedom, so it’s a true honor to give back to them,” Gerber said. “We’re fortunate to work with the best nonprofits in the veteran housing space and we’ll continue to partner together to serve those who have served us all.”