Disaster Response
Child Development
Clean Water
Hunger Relief
Medical Care
Funding will support national growth strategy focused on volunteer mobilization, church partnerships, and rapid response capabilities
PRESS RELEASE: VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Operation Blessing today announced it has received a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Hope After the Storm: Capacity Building for Faith-Based Disaster Relief Organizations initiative, supporting a strategic expansion of its disaster response and recovery efforts across the United States. The grant will support a strategic initiative designed to scale operations sustainably while significantly increasing the organization’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to communities in crisis.
With this support, Operation Blessing aims to build a nationally recognized disaster response model centered on mobilizing volunteers through a growing network of “sending churches”—partner congregations equipped to deploy trained volunteers in the immediate aftermath of disasters. This approach allows for rapid, community-based response without the need for substantial increases in staffing or costly infrastructure investments.
“We are deeply grateful to Lilly Endowment Inc. for this generous support,” said Drew Friedrich, president of Operation Blessing. “Receiving this grant is a tremendous affirmation of our vision to serve more people in their greatest time of need. By equipping churches and volunteers to act quickly, we are creating a powerful, scalable model for disaster response that brings both practical help and lasting hope.”
Over the next three years, Operation Blessing plans to establish five strategically located rapid response hubs across the country, enabling teams to deploy within 12 hours of any major disaster. The organization will also grow its active volunteer base to 5,000 individuals through a network of 300 sending churches, dramatically expanding its reach and impact.
In addition to operational growth, the initiative includes testing new media and marketing strategies to broaden donor engagement and increase awareness of Operation Blessing’s disaster response efforts nationwide.
This forward-looking strategy positions Operation Blessing to meet rising needs caused by natural disasters while maintaining a sustainable, mission-driven approach to growth.
Operation Blessing has long demonstrated the strength and urgency of its disaster response capabilities through decades of service across the United States and internationally. In recent months, domestic disaster relief teams have responded to devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, severe flooding in Kerrville, and destructive tornadoes across Kentucky. The organization also continues its long-term recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, serving communities in and around Asheville with critical aid and support. These responses underscore Operation Blessing’s sustained leadership and commitment to delivering both immediate relief and long-term recovery assistance wherever disaster strikes.
About Operation Blessing
Operation Blessing provides humanitarian services such as strategic disaster relief, medical aid, hunger relief, clean water, and community development. Founded in 1978, Operation Blessing has touched the lives of millions of people in more than 90 countries and every U.S. state. For more information on Operation Blessing International, please visit www.ob.org.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic 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 of stock 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 the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
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