Vetted non-DoD & non-VA resource Organizations

These resources are designed to help military spouses find meaningful employment, advance their careers, and navigate the unique challenges of being part of a military family.

Community Resources

American Red Cross Military Family Services: various programs and services to support military families.

Blue Star Families (BSF): career development programs, networking opportunities and resources for military spouses.

Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC): dedicated to ensuring quality educational opportunities for military-connected children, providing resources and support for families, educators, and community leaders to help students navigate the challenges of military life. MCEC offers programs such as the Student 2 Student initiative, training for educators, and various resources for mental health, exceptional needs, and school transitions.

Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN): mentoring, education, and peer support.

National Military Family Association (NMFA): scholarships, purple camps for military kids and educational resources.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society: programs and services to assist active duty and retired sailors, Marines, and their families in financial need.

Navy Services Family Line (NS FamilyLine): provides education, resources, and mentoring to Navy spouses and includes key programs such as COMPASS (a mentoring initiative), CORE (local and virtual events), Naval Spouse Leadership Course, and Anchors Aweigh, an online resource.

Operation Homefront: support for military families, including emergency financial assistance and housing programs.

Employment, Education & Training

Hiring Our Heroes Resources for Military Spouses: an initiative by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation aimed at helping veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment. The program offers a variety of resources specifically tailored for military spouses:

Military Spouse Fellowship Program: provides professional training, networking, and hands-on experience through paid fellowships with employers, which often leads to full-time employment.

Career Forward: helping military spouses gain in-demand skills and certifications through online training and credentialing programs, and connecting participants with a wide range of employers looking for specific skill-sets.

Hiring Events and Job Fairs: offering both virtual and in-person events, specifically for spouses, and providing opportunities to meet potential employers, participate in workshops, and network with other job seekers.

Military Spouse Professional Networks (MSPN): a network of local and virtual communities that provide spouses with professional development, networking opportunities and job search support.

Resume Engine and Career Spark: helping military spouses translate skills and experiences into a professional resume and LinkedIn profile and offering personalized recommendations and insights to enhance job search strategies.

LinkedIn Military Spouse Program: a free one-year Premium career subscription available to military spouses to help support building a professional network and job search.

USO Pathfinder Transition Program: connecting spouses with employment opportunities and the development of career skills through workshops and one-on-one support.

The Pat Tillman Foundation: identifies remarkable military service members, veterans and spouses, empowering them with academic scholarships, lifelong leadership development opportunities, and a diverse global community of high-performing mentors and peers.

Entrepreneurship

DAV Patriot Boot Camp (DAV PBC): a nonprofit dedicated to providing mentorship, training, and networking opportunities to military veterans, active-duty service members, and their spouses who are interested in entrepreneurship and technology. This program is an initiative of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and focuses on helping participants transition from military service to the business world.

Dog Tag Bakery: a unique nonprofit bakery located in Washington, D.C., that serves as a bridge to business education for veterans, military spouses, and caregivers. The bakery combines a hands-on learning experience in a functioning bakery with a classroom setting, offering participants a holistic approach to transition from military to civilian careers.

The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and Bunker Labs: a research institute at Syracuse University dedicated to advancing the lives of the nation's military veterans and their families.

The Rosie Network: provides training, mentoring and resources for military spouses who are aspiring entrepreneurs.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses through various services, including loan programs, grants, counseling and training. The SBA assists with business planning, market research and access to capital, and includes resources for government contracting and disaster assistance.

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