Vigilant Torch, Norfolk, VA (2026)

03/24/2026

Chenega MIOS, in partnership with the Washington Wizards, has channeled the spirit of teamwork into something far beyond the court. To date, $21,725 has been raised through their assist-based giving program, directed toward our Philo Project's free full-body MRI scans for Special Operations veterans.

We are deeply grateful for partners who understand that early detection isn't just a health benefit. It's a lifeline for those who've given the most.

Thank you, Chenega MIOS and Washington Wizards! This is what showing up looks like.

03/19/2026

The Special Operations Fund (SOFund) Scowcroft Scholarship application period has been EXTENDED! The new deadline to submit your applications is April 15th, 2026, at 11:59pm EST.

The Special Operations Fund (SOFund) awards one Scowcroft Scholarship each year to a graduating high school senior entering college. The scholarship provides $10,000 annually for up to four years.

Eligible applicants must be children of current or veteran Joint Special Operations service members and be supported by one of the following partner organizations: The Association (USAF), Navy Tactical Research Command Scholarship (SEALs), Night Stalker Foundation (NSF), Rangers Scholarship Fund (RSF), Unit Scholarship Fund (USF), or Vigilant Torch Foundation (VTF). These organizations promote the scholarship, verify eligibility, and nominate their top three candidates to SOFund.

Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA, demonstrate significant leadership and responsibility in academics, extracurricular activities, athletics, service, or employment, and submit two letters of recommendation along with a 500-word essay on a designated topic.

To access the scholarship guide and the application, visit https://vigilant-torch.org/externalscholarships. Please submit completed applications to [email protected] by 11:59pm EST on April 15th, 2026.

03/18/2026

We are pleased to announce the release of the Vigilant Torch Foundation’s 2025 Annual Report.

2025 was a year of records broken, waitlists cleared, lives changed, and a community that continued to grow stronger. From life-saving medical discoveries through the Philo Project, to record membership growth, emergency assistance that reached families at their most vulnerable moments, and scholarships that opened new doors, the impact of your support is woven through every page.

As we continue to progress through 2026, the mission continues and so does the need. The men and women of our select Special Operations community rarely ask for help, but they profoundly benefit from knowing it is there. Your continued partnership ensures we can meet them where they are, quietly and without hesitation.

On behalf of our Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers, thank you. None of this is possible without you. We are honored to carry this mission forward alongside you.

We invite you to read the full report here: www.vigilant-torch.org/impact

03/16/2026

Vigilant Torch Foundation is honored to announce that we have earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, the highest level of recognition for nonprofit accountability and openness.

The Platinum Seal represents a commitment to providing the public with clear, comprehensive information about our mission, leadership, financials, and measurable impact. For our supporters, it means you can easily see how Vigilant Torch operates, how funds are stewarded, and how your donations directly benefit members of the Special Operations community.

At Vigilant Torch, we believe that the men and women we serve operate under the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability. It is only right that we hold ourselves to the same standard.

Transparency strengthens trust, and trust strengthens mission success. We remain committed to sharing not only our goals, but also our progress and outcomes with the community that makes this work possible.

We are grateful for the supporters, partners, and members who continue to stand behind this mission!

Check out our profile here:
https://ow.ly/TQpV50YuWnf

03/15/2026

There are less than 24 HOURS in the TORCH Scholarship period, make sure to submit your application before the deadline!

This year, the Vigilant Torch Foundation is excited to announce we will award 25 scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $15,000. To better align these awards with the needs of the SOF community, we have created four distinct scholarship pathways:

MIND Scholarship: One $15,000 award for students studying to work in mental health fields.
BODY: One $15,000 award for students studying to work in areas supporting physical health and wellbeing.
SOUL Scholarship: One $10,000 needs-based award for those who may be struggling with more than academic costs.
TORCH Scholarship: 22 scholarship awards open to those in all fields of study.

Applicants must be a dependent (spouse, child, or grandchild) of a sponsor from our select SOF community or a member of that community themselves. Detailed information on eligibility for each scholarship pathway is available in the 2026-2027 Scholarship Policy document found both on the Vigilant Torch website and embedded within the scholarship application.

The deadline for applying to the scholarship program is 11:59pm EST on March 16, 2025.

Go to https://vigilant-torch.org/scholarships to complete an application. Please contact Jenna Sieben, the VTF Scholarship Chair at [email protected] if you have any questions or to request a link.

03/10/2026

There is less than a week left for the TORCH Scholarship period, make sure to submit your application soon!

This year, the Vigilant Torch Foundation is excited to announce we will award 25 scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $15,000. To better align these awards with the needs of the SOF community, we have created four distinct scholarship pathways:

MIND Scholarship: One $15,000 award for students studying to work in mental health fields.
BODY: One $15,000 award for students studying to work in areas supporting physical health and wellbeing.
SOUL Scholarship: One $10,000 needs-based award for those who may be struggling with more than academic costs.
TORCH Scholarship: 22 scholarship awards open to those in all fields of study.

Applicants must be a dependent (spouse, child, or grandchild) of a sponsor from our select SOF community or a member of that community themselves. Detailed information on eligibility for each scholarship pathway is available in the 2026-2027 Scholarship Policy document found both on the Vigilant Torch website and embedded within the scholarship application.

The deadline for applying to the scholarship program is 11:59pm EST on March 16, 2026

Head to https://vigilant-torch.org/scholarships to complete an application, if you have any questions please contact Jenna Sieben, the VTF Scholarship Chair at [email protected] to request a link.

03/03/2026

College graduates, your next step starts here! Visit www.vigilant-torch.org/graduateprogram to learn more about the Torch Graduate Program and create your Career Profile Card today!

02/26/2026

The Special Operations Fund (SOFund) awards one Scowcroft Scholarship each year to a graduating high school senior entering college. The scholarship provides $10,000 annually for up to four years.

Eligible applicants must be children of current or veteran Joint Special Operations service members and be supported by one of the following partner organizations: The Association (USAF), Navy Tactical Research Command Scholarship (SEALs), Night Stalker Foundation (NSF), Rangers Scholarship Fund (RSF), Unit Scholarship Fund (USF), or Vigilant Torch Foundation (VTF). These organizations promote the scholarship, verify eligibility, and nominate their top three candidates to SOFund.

Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA, demonstrate significant leadership and responsibility in academics, extracurricular activities, athletics, service, or employment, and submit two letters of recommendation along with a 500-word essay on a designated topic.

To access the scholarship guide and the application visit, https://vigilant-torch.org/externalscholarships

Please submit completed applications to [email protected] by 11:59pm EST on March 27, 2026.

02/18/2026

There is only one month left in the application period for the TORCH Scholarship!

This year, the Vigilant Torch Foundation is excited to announce we will award 25 scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $15,000. To better align these awards with the needs of the SOF community, we have created four distinct scholarship pathways:

MIND Scholarship: One $15,000 award for students studying to work in mental health fields.
BODY: One $15,000 award for students studying to work in areas supporting physical health and wellbeing.
SOUL Scholarship: One $10,000 needs-based award for those who may be struggling with more than academic costs.
TORCH Scholarship: 22 scholarship awards open to those in all fields of study.

Applicants must be a dependent (spouse, child, or grandchild) of a sponsor from our select SOF community or a member of that community themselves. Detailed information on eligibility for each scholarship pathway is available in the 2026-2027 Scholarship Policy document found both on the Vigilant Torch website and embedded within the scholarship application.

The deadline to apply for the scholarship program is 11:59pm EST on March 16, 2026.

Go to the link in our bio to complete an application. If you have any questions please contact Jenna Sieben, the VTF Scholarship Chair at [email protected] to request a link.

02/17/2026

We are incredibly honored that Chenega MIOS has chosen Vigilant Torch for this amazing—and FUN—opportunity!

For many years, Chenega MIOS has been a steadfast corporate supporter of our mission through its spring golf invitationals and its fall Brews for the Brave event, helping us deliver meaningful impact to the Special Operations service members, veterans, and families we serve. We are deeply grateful for their continued generosity, commitment, and belief in what we do.

We are especially excited that the Chenega MIOS team has added yet another layer of support by partnering with Monumental Sports & Entertainment's Veterans Assist Program to further their dedication to our mission.

Thank you, Chenega MIOS, for standing with us year after year and for continuing to champion those who have served.

Go, Washington Wizards!!! 🏀🔥

02/10/2026

Lewis Runnion is Co-founder and Managing Partner of Eleven09, LLC — a firm focused on delivering innovative solutions to businesses, government agencies, and philanthropic organizations, particularly those serving active duty service members, veterans, and their families.

Before founding Eleven09, Lewis spent nearly 20 years in financial services and public policy, including as Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Director of Military Affairs at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he led veteran- and military-family-focused initiatives spanning financial wellness, education, employment, housing, and transition support.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from East Tennessee State University and an MBA from the University of Tennessee.

Lewis has dedicated his career to building programs and partnerships that help veterans and military families — designing workforce-development initiatives, philanthropic collaborations, and support networks that have aided thousands of veterans.

02/02/2026

General Bryan P. Fenton is a retired U.S. Army Four-Star General and career Special Forces officer. He served as the 13th Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), overseeing the global Special Operations of the U.S. Department of Defense, with command of 70,000 Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Guardian and Marine Special Operations personnel. Prior roles include: Commander of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC); serving as the Senior Military Assistant (SMA) for two U.S. Secretaries of Defense and Deputy Commander of the U.S. IndoPacific Command. With 38+ years of military service, Bryan has commanded at every level of Special Operations, and deployed multiple times to Afghanistan, Iraq, as well as numerous locations in the Middle East, South America, Europe, Africa and the Indo-Pacific. Through his 38+ year experiences, Bryan garnered invaluable experience in geostrategic affairs, international security issues, human performance, organizational leadership as well as current / emerging technology.

Bryan graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1987 and was the U.S. Army Fellow at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. from 2009 to 2010. He also holds a master’s degree from the U.S. Army Command and Staff College. Originally from Seymour, Tennessee, Bryan and his wife, Dawn, are the proud parents of two daughters.

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