2020 Goals
Morrill Worcester’s dream when founding this organization was to one day honor every U.S. veteran by placing a living wreath and saying their name out loud once a year.
Each year, we work towards a steady, sustainable growth across the country with this original goal in mind. In 2019, we hope to have more than 1,700 participating locations and enough wreaths sponsored to place on 2.1 million headstones.
This mission is so much more than placing a wreath. The wreath is the catalyst, and the mission has brought together millions across the country from every background and community to remember, honor and teach.
Fundraising events/Opportunities
Throughout the year, there are fundraising events held in communities across the country ranging from raffles to races. With more than 3,000 fundraising groups total these volunteers host localized events regularly to raise awareness and funds to support wreath sponsorships for their local cemeteries.
Anyone can sign up to be a Fundraising Group. We have several programs to choose from, including our popular $5-back program where other nonprofits, civic and school groups and veteran service organizations can get $5 back from every $15 wreaths sponsorship sold locally to use for their own programs. Through this initiative, Wreaths Across America has given back more than $10 million to other groups over the last 11 years.
Giving Opportunities
Wreath sponsorships are the most popular way to give to the Wreaths Across America mission. A wreath sponsorship is $15. With this sponsorship you may designate which participating cemetery your wreath will be placed at. With nearly 1,700 participating cemeteries across the country, there is a location in nearly every community.
Corporate sponsorship packages are available upon request. However, we understand that every company is different, so our packages serve as guidelines and we strive to work with you to give you the very best experience.
When you donate to Wreaths Across America, your money sponsors a wreath first. More than 86 percent of every donation goes toward program costs which includes items like shipping not covered by our trucking partners, educational materials and fundraising group paybacks, which in turn help to support similar mission-driven veteran service and community organizations throughout the country. Wreaths Across America operates on the remaining margin, keeping overhead low.
Additionally, in-kind contributions are essential to our program. From professional services to promotional and advertising partnerships, we rely on these contributions. The biggest in-kind donations, for example, come in the form of donated trucking. In 2018, more than 200 trucking companies delivered nearly 600 loads of veterans’ wreaths.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are needed to coordinate wreath ceremonies and manage the National Wreaths Across America Day events, lead fundraising groups, place wreaths and help with clean up at all of our participating locations across the country. On average, more than two million people participate in some volunteer capacity through the program, a third of whom are children.
