Women Veterans Giving

09/18/2026

We’re excited to announce the 2026 Women Veterans Giving Melissa Washington Small Business Award finalists!
For the first time, this year’s awards will recognize two categories: Nonprofit and For-Profit, allowing us to celebrate even more women veteran entrepreneurs and the impact they’re making in their communities.
NONPROFIT FINALISTS
• Nichole Jordan, U.S. Army Veteran
Women Veterans Glamping | Jay, Maine
• Jessica Wilde, U.S. Navy & Air Force Veteran
Smith Farm Goat Sanctuary | Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
FOR-PROFIT FINALISTS
• Chelsea Treboniak, U.S. Army Veteran
Critical Ops | Westlake, Ohio
• Melanie Froemke, U.S. Army Veteran
River Grove Therapy | Alexandria, Virginia
Congratulations to these four outstanding women veteran entrepreneurs! We’re honored to recognize their leadership, innovation, hard work, and commitment to making a difference.
The 2026 Melissa Washington Small Business Awards will be presented at the Veterans In Business (VIB) Network National Conference, November 2–3 in Palm Springs, California, where this year’s recipients will be announced.
Join us as we celebrate these finalists and reveal this year’s award recipients!
Register for the VIB Conference & learn more by visiting https://www.vibconference.com

01/09/2026

Thank you to Air Force veteran, LD Supply owner Lisa D’Alessio for matching our small business award.

01/09/2026

November at the Veterans in Business Network Conference in San Diego, something special happened during the presentation of the Melissa Washington Small Business Award.
When Leah Stiles, Navy SCPO (Ret.) and founder of SEA WAVES, accepted the 2025 award, she shared her commitment to dedicate half of her award funding toward creating a healing retreat for women veterans. She then asked the room if anyone would be willing to match her contribution.

Liberty with FedVet Construction immediately stepped forward and matched the amount.

That moment turned a single award into something bigger. It became a collaboration, a momentum, and a real impact for women veterans focused on wellness and healing.

Because of this match, the vision for Battle to Balance: A Body Peace Retreat for Women Veterans is moving forward with even greater strength and possibility.

Thank you to FedVet Construction for believing in women veterans, supporting women veteran led initiatives, and showing what meaningful partnership looks like.

This is how impact grows. Together, we rise. Together, we heal.

12/18/2025

Women Veterans Giving is seeking a Volunteer Director to guide our next chapter.

Women Veterans Giving has been built and led by a dedicated team of volunteers who believe in empowering and elevating women veterans. Our founder, Melissa A. Washington, will be stepping into an advisory role so she can continue supporting the mission while creating space for new leadership. Board Member Jennifer Vollbrecht will step is an interim Volunteer Director.

Women Veterans Giving is seeking a Volunteer Director to guide our next chapter. Women Veterans Giving has been built and led by a dedicated team of

11/25/2025

We are deeply grateful to 100+Women Who Care Placer County for selecting Women Veterans Giving as a grant recipient. Thank you to every woman who voted for us and believed in our mission.

This support will help us create even greater impact for women veterans through business grants, mentorship, connections, and programs that empower them to rise and thrive.

Your collective giving creates real change. When women veterans rise, communities rise.

Thank you for lifting us up and standing with the women who served. 💙
Women Veterans Alliance